About Eleni: Eleni grew up in Greece, and moved to the US to study neuroscience at Brown, fascinated by the intricacies of the brain and the healthcare system. She then took this curiosity to biotech startups, where she worked on treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and precision psychiatry. Now an MBA student at UCLA Anderson, she is thinking about impact from a different angle—how strategy, finance, and innovation shape the future of patient care. When she is not dissecting healthcare’s complexities, she’s usually found buried in a book, hiking, or looking for the perfect croissant in LA.

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I came to Anderson not because I wanted to change industries but because I needed a new way to look at what I already knew. Before joining Anderson, I studied Neuroscience and worked at biotech startups focused on neurodegenerative diseases and precision psychiatry. I was certain I wanted to return to this field post-MBA, but I also knew that understanding the science wasn’t enough—I needed to learn how to navigate the business side of healthcare, how to make strategic decisions in a highly regulated, high-stakes industry. Nearly a year in, I know I made the right choice. Anderson offers a wealth of opportunities for those interested in healthcare, from rigorous coursework and cross-campus collaborations to industry exposure and hands-on learning.

A Healthcare-Focused Curriculum 

Anderson offers a wide selection of rigorous courses for students interested in healthcare, from in-depth overviews of the U.S. healthcare system (The Business of U.S. Healthcare) to management of cutting-edge innovations (Healthcare Technology Management). This quarter, I am taking Building, Valuing, and Financing Health Care Enterprise, where we step into the role of investors, tasked with evaluating the risk and promise of an industry that is as complex as it is essential.

Tapping into UCLA’s Healthcare Ecosystem

One of the things not many people tell you about getting an MBA at a top-tier university is that your classmates aren’t just business students; they are medical students, public health researchers, biomedical engineers. One of my closest friends is developing her own medtech startup, and she is setting up a collaboration with UCLA faculty. Next quarter, I’ll be taking Healthcare Strategy at the Fielding School of Public Health, learning from experts who have spent their careers trying to address the same issues I want to tackle. 

The Healthcare Business Association (HBA)

The HBA is a professional student group that connects students with alumni, organizes networking events, and creates spaces for healthcare-focused students to learn from each other. Some of the most memorable events include Healthcare Career Night, where students connect with healthcare professionals across different industry verticals (biotechnology, medical devices, provider, payer, and even consulting) and Days-on-the-Job, where students visit healthcare companies across California. The HBA has been one of the most valuable parts of my Anderson experience. I’m the Director of Admissions and Alumni Affairs, which means I help run our mentorship program and connect prospective students with the healthcare community at Anderson. It also means I get to see, firsthand, how supportive this network is.

The VITALS Conference

Every year, Anderson hosts VITALS, one of the largest student-led healthcare conferences in Southern California. This year’s theme was Transforming Healthtech—From Innovation to Impact, and it covered everything from AI in drug discovery to the role of technology in expanding access to care. The speakers—executives, investors, founders—brought different perspectives, but they all had the same goal: to push healthcare forward. My friend Steph, who is pursuing both an MD and an MBA, attested that the conference not only opened up her mind to how business and technology have the power to reshape healthcare to better serve patients but also made networking with like-minded professionals more genuine and fun.

Career Preparation: Anderson Career Teams (ACT)

Anderson Career Teams (ACT) are small, student-led groups that help first-years break into their industries of choice. My ACT coaches worked closely with me on polishing my resume, networking, and strategizing on how to make a functional pivot from ClinOps to finance. My interview coach went out of her way to help me succeed, helping me prepare for interviews over winter break. My ACT group was also where I met like-minded peers and made some of my closest friends. I hope to pay it forward by being an ACT coach next year.

Beyond Campus: Expanding My Network in LA and Beyond

Beyond Anderson, there is Los Angeles, sprawling and chaotic, a city that, in a sense, mirrors the healthcare industry in how convoluted it is. One night, I am at a Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association event, listening to investors discuss the realities of funding female entrepreneurs. Another, I am researching Nucleate, a biotech accelerator that bridges the gap between scientific discovery and commercialization. The opportunities are everywhere here, plus LA is close to major industry hubs, such as San Diego and the Bay Area, where Anderson has established professional relationships.

All in all, Anderson is a perfect choice for anyone interested in a career in healthcare. There are resources everywhere, and the challenge is not finding opportunities—it is deciding which ones to pursue.

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Student Blogger: Eleni Gkini, ‘26

Undergrad: Neuroscience at Brown University, ‘21

Pre-MBA: Clinical Operations at Alto Neuroscience

Leadership@Anderson: Director of International Outreach, Admissions Ambassador Corps; Director of Admissions and Alumni Affairs, Healthcare Business Association; Entrepreneurial Leadership Development Program