Gaining a System-Level View of Health Care

For more than a decade, Rajiv Ramakrishnan, MBA, has built his career across the health care and insurance landscape, now serving as Head of Accident and Health at Price Forbes Broking in Asia. Based in the region and working across Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and other markets, he brings a global perspective to how health care is financed and delivered.

Over time, however, Ramakrishnan recognized the need to advance his expertise in the clinical and operational side of care. “I wanted to better understand how care is delivered and learn directly from clinical leaders who are on the front lines,” he says.

This realization ultimately led him to Harvard Medical School’s Leadership in Medicine: Asia Pacific certificate program.

Expanding Perspectives Across Clinical Care

Throughout the program, Ramakrishnan gained a deeper understanding of how clinical decisions are made and how different parts of the health care system connect. The curriculum helped bridge the gap between financing and care delivery, offering practical insight into how hospitals operate and care is coordinated across teams. 

It also reinforced the importance of understanding the full patient journey—from a clinical standpoint as well as a financial and coverage perspective—while providing a clearer view into the complexities that clinicians navigate on a daily basis. 

Learning alongside a diverse cohort was a key part of that experience, particularly as Ramakrishnan did not have a clinical background. “Most of my network had been in pharmaceuticals or insurance, not as much with physicians or other clinical leaders,” he notes. “I really wanted to get their perspective.”

A Global Network That Lasts

Beyond the classroom, the relationships that Ramakrishnan built with peers continue to shape his experience. With participants representing a wide range of roles and health systems, the cohort offered ample opportunities to exchange ideas, compare approaches, and learn from one another. 

The global nature of the cohort also provided a unique lens into how different health systems approach similar challenges. “I’ve traveled to almost every country represented in my cohort… it’s awesome to go and meet friends, share a meal, and see how everyone is doing,” he says.

As part of the broader Harvard Medical School community, these connections extend beyond the program itself, providing ongoing access to a vast network of peers and perspectives.

Driving Impact and Career Growth

The impact of the program extended directly into Ramakrishnan’s work. His capstone project focused on improving collaboration across teams to drive more informed decision-making and efficiency, particularly by strengthening communication between clinical and operational functions. 

The goal was to reduce information gaps and create a more aligned approach to managing care and costs. “I wanted to merge the medical team with the claims unit to get shared knowledge and shared savings,” he explains.

Ramakrishnan was able to implement elements of this approach, including cross-training across teams, to improve coordination and shared understanding. Since completing the program, he has taken on a broader leadership role, crediting the experience as instrumental in his growth. 

“This program was a huge plus and helped me take the next step in my career,” he says.

Reflecting on the Biggest Takeaway

For those considering Leadership in Medicine, Ramakrishnan highlights the unique opportunity to build skills that translate directly into leadership roles. The program enabled him to not only connect strategy with real-world care delivery but also make better-informed, system-level decisions.

“I would absolutely recommend this program—it gives you practical insight, a strong network, and perspectives you can immediately apply in your work,” he says. “The value you get from it is phenomenal.” 

Written by: Pamela Searle