Tackling Healthcare Challenges Through a Student-Run Case Competition

The Yale Healthcare Services Innovation Case Competition (YHSI) is a student-led case competition that asks graduate students in healthcare programs (e.g., MBA, MD, MPH) to address a pressing challenge faced by a real healthcare organization. This year, I was honored to serve as a content lead, developing a case based on the strategic priorities and concerns of our competition sponsor, the in-home care provider Elara Caring.

I had a ton of fun putting this case together, especially since it was my first time developing a case. The content team first did some preliminary research on Elara Caring, based on materials they provided us as well as some external findings. This process naturally left some gaps of knowledge that could be addressed but the C-suite through interviews. I led two of those C-suite interviews. It was interesting to hear their perspectives as I worked to understand the organization as well its challenges. With this information, I then crafted the case with my co-content lead, Yining Zhou ‘26. In December, our student-led team sent the case to over 50 participating teams at schools including Harvard School of Business, University of Toronto Rotman School of Management, Haas School of Business, and HEC Paris Business School. From the first-round submissions, we selected 12 semi-finalist teams to come to Yale SOM in February to be evaluated by a judging panel of faculty and industry professionals, including some members of the Elara Caring C-suite. The winning prizes ranged from $2,500 to $10,000.

The in-person portion of this competition was the highlight of this whole process. In the second round, teams brought an innovative dimension to their issues that were discussed in the case, making additional tweaks in real time to support their proposed solutions. The passion and drive for improving the healthcare experience were palpable. I particularly enjoyed witnessing the exchanges between participating teams and the judges during the Q&A portion of the presentations. Both sides brought their own experiences to the table, adding to my own understanding of the health industry’s challenges and capabilities. By the end of the day when we announced the winning teams, I felt personally connected to everyone who had taken part. Thinking about these high-level issues with everyone was a privilege.

Serving as a content lead this year was especially fulfilling for me as a student in the Master of Public Health in Health Care Management student at Yale. Through this role, I was able to deploy the strategic analysis skills I had developed through different courses, and to develop professionally through the diverse sets of ideas I encountered. YHSI also accelerated my integration into the SOM community. The Health Care Management program is co-run by SOM and the Yale School of Public Health, which initially made it challenging to feel like I truly belonged at SOM. By the time of the competition, I had made so many connections with SOM faculty, advisors, and students.

I came to Yale to learn how we can create tangible solutions to healthcare challenges because I deeply resonate with SOM’s “business & society” mission. YHSI is an important example of how I am engaging with that mission. The competition enables organizations like Elara Caring to continue improving health outcomes for more patients. And Elara Caring is excited to continue developing those ideas.

The best part of this all is that I get to do this all again next year as a co-chair! I’m looking forward to taking on this leadership role with my other teammates, Carolyn Hirsch ’26 and Ahana Shetty ’26. Go YHSI!