About

In 2016, UNC Kenan-Flagler Dean, Doug Shackelford and a select group of faculty formed a committee to discuss the need for a strategic initiative focused on the intersection of business and healthcare. Recognizing that the healthcare industry plays an outsized role in the United States economy, it was not surprising that conversations with the Chancellor, Provost, and Deans across UNC yielded positive feedback for the business school to launch an initiative focused on the business of health.

From there, Dean Shackelford appointed Brad Staats as the first Faculty Director for this initiative. Under his guidance the groundwork was laid for the business school to build upon its curricular and programmatic offerings. Input from faculty partners at UNC and external constituents enabled the business of health initiative to create a three-point focus on research, teaching, and convening important conversations. A corporate advisory board, consisting of alumni and friends of Carolina, convened to guide the initiative and ensure the outputs matched the needs of the healthcare industry.

Following the addition of several staff and faculty members, the Center for the Business of Health (CBOH) officially launched in September of 2018. The CBOH was established as a multidisciplinary initiative seeking to bring together expertise from across UNC to create knowledge and prepare business leaders. Over the past few years, the broader team that leads and advises the CBOH has grown to include faculty and staff from UNC Kenan-Flagler, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, and UNC School of Medicine. In addition, the Center for the Business of Health has a Leadership Board, which includes alumni, parents, and friends that support and work to build out the capacities and impact that UNC can make through the CBOH. Student interns and research fellows actively engage with the CBOH through courses, research, events, and day to day operations.

The interdisciplinary vision of the CBOH is to bridge the gap between disciplines through enhancing the academic experience, becoming a trusted source for thought leadership and research, and building strong corporate and community partnerships that improve health and well-being in the state of North Carolina and beyond.

Acknowledging that the greatest challenges in healthcare will not be solved through any one lens, the CBOH will continue to build innovative resources, courses, programs, and research opportunities for faculty, staff, and students at Carolina. With the wealth of resources and expertise at UNC and in our region, the CBOH seeks to catalyze these assets to help academic experts, industry leaders, policy makers, and students work better together across the healthcare eco-system.