The Hopkins Business of Health Initiative (HBHI) is proud to welcome thirteen new Johns Hopkins Masters Students into the HBHI Graduate Academy.
Johns Hopkins University is a leading institution for training future practitioners of the business of health. These training programs are not only in the Carey School of Business, but is the Schools of Public Health, Nursing, and Medicine as well.
The HBHI Graduate Academy selects the most exceptional students from across these schools that share the HBHI vision of a healthier nation, supported by an affordable, high-value health system.
“HBHI’s primary focus has been as a hub for academics studying the business of health, but we soon realized that the relevance of our work would require engaging with the practice of the business of health," said Dan Polsky, Director of HBHI. "I can speak for all of HBHI's core faculty when I say that it's inspiring to work with these young professionals seeking to apply what they learn at Hopkins to make the world a healthier place."
The HBHI Graduate Academy is a six-month experience within the HBHI ecosystem that supplements traditional education with personal and professional growth via HBHI’s networking events, research opportunities, content exposure, and mentorship in a cross-school ecosystem.
Please join us in congratulating our new cohort and learn more about their research interests below.
HBHI Graduate Academy, Class of 2025
Aishwarya Nag, MPH/MBA
HBHI Mentor: Andrew Anderson
“At HBHI, I aim to contribute my strong writing, presentation, and project management skills to help advance publications and presentations. Additionally, I plan to use my leadership abilities to orchestrate events that advance health equity, such as through panels or conferences.”
Ama Akoma Essuman, MPH/MBA
HBHI Mentor: Maqbool Dada
“My MPH/MBA has given me a strong foundation at the intersection of public health and business, and I have been exploring interests in quality improvement, health analytics, and operations management. I am eager to contribute these qualities and my collaborative experiences to the HBHI community. I have experience working within different health systems and can share what I have learned to contribute to HBHI's effort to improve the US health system one step at a time.”
Cijoon Jeong, MBA
HBHI Mentor: Angela Liu
“I am eager to contribute to HBHI’s mission by researching how health technology and innovative care systems can optimize the U.S. healthcare system’s productivity. My focus will be on advancing biotechnology to make healthcare more affordable and efficient.”
Cordelia Kwon, MPH
HBHI Mentor: Emmanuel Drabo
“My primary impact at HBHI would be to bolster the translation of research of HBHI affiliates into clinical practice and policy. I look forward to contributing to HBHI's mission of incubating and disseminating high-quality research into practice.”
Deanna Portero, MPH/MBA
HBHI Mentor: Dan Polsky
“I plan to dedicate my entire career to addressing the complex and varied problems faced by the rare disease community, including delayed diagnosis, slow-moving research, subpar care, and inadequate treatments. The HBHI Graduate Academy will advance my goals by increasing the amount of knowledge and professional connections I accrue in my two short years at Hopkins.”
Elham Jamshidi, MBA
HBHI Mentor: Shubhranshu Singh
“All my career, I've been an initiator, including creating and getting approval for the first AI-health product in my country, and I plan to bring the same spirit to initiatives in HBHI. I will leverage my research skills in health analytics to contribute to interdisciplinary projects, particularly in tech innovations and healthcare delivery with initiatives such as pilot programs, and data analytics.”
Fernanda Gushken, MPH
HBHI Mentor: Davina Frick
“I am eager to support HBHI with both academic and social initiatives. I have worked in startups, NGOs and strategic consulting. I also led social impact hackathons, helping connect early stage founders with mentors and incubation programs and awarding the best startup with non-equity funding.”
Madeline Sagona, ScM
HBHI Mentors: Tinglong Dai + Mario Macis
“At HBHI, I will bring a unique perspective on the ethical evaluation of clinical AI tools, informed by my background in genetic epidemiology and bioethics. I will work to advance the discourse on AI ethics in healthcare, collaborating with faculty and peers to develop scalable, ethically sound AI solutions that prioritize equity and justice in clinical settings.”
Nicolas Lange, MHA
HBHI Mentor: Mark Meiselbach
“My perspective on the healthcare system and the reason why I am pursuing a career in the sector is shaped by my personal journey as a patient. My educational background was in business finance, but I have more recently ignited a passion for healthcare. I want to learn more about how healthcare is funded and where the dollars are, considering its nearly 20% of our GDP expenditures. I am most excited to meet people, with different experiences and viewpoints.”
Ryan Hunte, MSN
HBHI Mentor: Toby Gordon
“I have nearly a decade of experience as a healthcare leader in the U.S. Army, and five years of experience starting and running a successful real estate holding and management company. My goal for participating in HBHI is to build my skills as a healthcare business leader in order to show my peers that our potential as nursing school graduates is limited only by our imagination.”
Sarah Jabour, GTPCI PhD
HBHI Mentor: Joe Levy
“My background in public health and social policy coupled with my hands-on experience as a surgical resident provide a unique vantage point to understand health challenges faced by elderly surgical patients. I hope to contribute to mentored research projects and webinar development on the intersection of health policy, health services delivery, and aging through the Graduate Academy.”
Sharon Karbo, MPH/MBA
HBHI Mentors: Yaa Owusua Akosa Antwi & Ellesse Akre
“Collaborating with HBHI faculty and students, I look forward to contributing to projects that explore innovative solutions to healthcare inequities and apply my skills in economic evaluation to shape interventions that make healthcare affordable and accessible. I aim to introduce capacity-building initiatives that promote teamwork, inspire innovation, and align with HBHI's mission of driving systemic change in health and business.”
Yuhan Xiao, ScM
HBHI Mentors: Emilia Simeonova & Jessie Tong
“I would contribute to HBHI through my background in health data analysis and policy research. I will apply these skills to research on improving healthcare systems, optimizing healthcare delivery, and addressing health equity.”