By Amy Pan, Associate Director & Employer Engagement Relationship Manager, Rice Business Career Development Office
Back by popular demand (for the first time in six years), our revitalized Healthcare Trek took students straight into the heart of Houston’s world-renowned medical center — just steps from Rice! The return of the Healthcare Trek reflects the strong student interest in exploring careers at the intersection of business and healthcare and, more importantly, the powerful connections being made between Rice Business talent and Houston’s healthcare innovation ecosystem.
This spring, we offered two immersive experiences that brought MBA students face-to-face with leaders, alumni, and cutting-edge organizations shaping the future of healthcare.
Innovation in Action (March 28)
Our first spring healthcare trek began with a visit to Rice360 Institute for Global Health Technologies, where students met with researchers and developers working to solve critical healthcare challenges through accessible, affordable technology. From learning about video-based respiratory monitors to exploring global neonatal care innovations, students saw firsthand how purpose and practical application intersect at Rice.
From there, we hopped on a bus to TMC Innovation, a vibrant hub for healthcare startups and partnerships. Students engaged directly with early-stage companies Corveus, Taurus Vascular, and M+S Biotics and learned about what it takes to launch and scale innovation in one of the most highly regulated industries in the world.
Next stop: Texas Children’s Hospital, where Courtney Pawlik and Rice Business alumni Dylan Adams ‘24 and Lila Chanin ‘20 generously shared their career journeys and insights into operational strategy, analytics, and business planning in one of the nation’s top pediatric hospitals.
We wrapped the day at Portal Innovations at Helix Park, where Executive Director Monique Knighten offered a look into how scientific breakthroughs go from the lab to market and what that process looks like in Houston’s rapidly growing life sciences corridor.
And it wasn’t just educational — the energy and enthusiasm were palpable throughout the day. As full-time MBA Lc Dy ‘26 shared:
“It’s been such a great experience to meet local talent as well as former Rice alums… I really loved getting to hear from Texas Children’s Medical Center where we learned more about the operations side of the house as well as what they refer to as their mission control… It’s a really cool environment, and it’s somewhere I hope to see myself in the future.”
Inside MD Anderson (April 18)
Just a few weeks later, our second healthcare trek this year took students behind the scenes at MD Anderson Cancer Center, consistently ranked among the top cancer hospitals in the world. This focused visit offered a deep dive into the hospital’s operational strategy, financial planning, and care delivery model.
Highlights included a guided tour through key departments, an up-close look at their real-time operations dashboard, and a networking session with leaders across functions — all underscoring the powerful role MBA talent can play in transforming healthcare administration and logistics.
As PMBA student Melody Ogoke ‘26 noted:
“Today has been such a great day learning how healthcare has been transformed within the Houston community, and seeing how Rice alumni are part of those transformative measures…it’s been an inspiring day to learn from the community.”
Bringing Students and Employers Together
These treks are more than just a tour — they’re a reflection of our deep commitment to creating meaningful connections between top-tier MBA talent and leading employers. Whether it’s alumni sharing their stories or students forming new professional bonds, we’re proud to support the next generation of healthcare leaders.
Rice Business students bring curiosity, courage, and a desire to drive impact. Our employer partners are shaping industries and seeking the next wave of business-savvy changemakers. We’re proud to bring them together — and even more excited for what’s next.
As PMBA student Bodie Gilbert ‘26 put it:
“I’ve just really enjoyed getting to visit the different centers of innovation here in the medical center… and grow closer with my colleagues in the healthcare association. It’s been a great time.”
Stay tuned — we’re just getting started
