Newswise — The Babson College MBA Healthcare & Life Sciences Club will hold its 7th annual industry forum on April 15, 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., at Babson College.

The recently passed healthcare legislation is a watershed moment for the industry and delivery of care to patients. As a result, old institutions and inefficiencies are being done away with in favor of technological advances that encourage high-touch care and patient empowerment. As occurs during industry turning points, opportunities for entrepreneurs are abundant. This year’s conference seeks to identify these opportunities by examining various areas of growth, including healthcare IT, venture capital funding and the use of new social media technologies in marketing healthcare products.

The opening keynote speaker is Matthew Emmens, Chairman, President and CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Emmens has more than 33 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc and businesses operated by Merck KGaA, and Merck & Co. He became chairman, CEO and president of Vertex in 2009 and has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2004.

The closing keynote speaker is Jonathan Bush, Co-founder, CEO, President, and Chairman of athenahealth. Prior to joining athenahealth in 1997, Bush served as an EMT for the City of New Orleans, was trained as a medic in the U.S. Army, and worked as a management consultant with Booz Allen & Hamilton. He earned a B.A. from Wesleyan University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

The panelists represent diverse sectors of the healthcare industry, from suppliers (pharmaceuticals, biotech and medical devices) to healthcare delivery and services, as well as a broad range of functions, from marketing to business development to investors.

Topics of discussion:

Can Healthcare Reform Live Up to the Hype?

Is Healthcare IT Headed for a Tipping Point?

Healthcare 2.0: The Impact of Social Media on Health Information

Healthcare Entrepreneurs in Action

Healthcare Funding – Show Me the Money!

Reaching and Retaining Female Talent in the Healthcare and Life Sciences Industry

Panelists:

Lisa Adler - Vice President Corporate Communications, Millennium Pharmaceuticals

Alan Crane - General Partner, Polaris Ventures

Dave deBronkart - Author on e-Patient Scholars Working Group blog

Tom Dehner - Former Director, Massachusetts Medicaid, Director & Board Member, Health Connector

Eric Elliott - President, CIGNA Pharmacy

Bernadette Fendrock - President and CEO, Herpregen

Pat Fortune - Partner, Boston Millennia Partners

Barbara Gniewek - Principal Human Capital, Deloitte Consulting LLP

Steven Gold, M.D. - Senior Partner for Entrepreneurship, Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering

Shwen Gwee - Lead, Digital Strategy and Social Media, Vertex Pharmaceuticals

John Halamka - CIO, Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess & CEO MA-SHARE

Laurie Halloran - CEO and Managing Partner, Halloran Consulting Group

Rob Havasy - Business Analyst, Center for Connected Health

Ben Heywood - Co-Founder and President, PatientsLikeMe

Bryan Keaney - Consultant

Amir Lewkowicz - Vice President for Partnerships, Inspire

John McDonough - CEO, T2 Biosystems

Imran Nasrullah - Chief Business Officer, MassBio

Randel Richner - Founder and President, Neocure

Charlie Schick - Senior Web Producer, Children's Hospital Boston

Chris Steel - U.S. Country Head, PA Consulting

Sharon Vitti - Vice President, Brigham & Women's Hospital

Steve Wardell - Senior Director Business Development, PatientKeeper

Larry Weber - Chairman, W2 Group

Caleb Winder - Vice President, Excel Medical Ventures

John Wlassich - Vice President of Product Development, Nomir Medical Technologies

Nanditha Yelamanchi - Head of Human Resources for Quality, IT and Legal, Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics

For information, visit http://www.babsonhealth.com/.

Babson College in Wellesley, Mass., is recognized internationally as a leader in entrepreneurial management education. Babson grants BS degrees through its innovative undergraduate program, and grants MBA and custom MS and MBA degrees through the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College. Babson Executive Education offers executive development programs to experienced managers worldwide. For information, visit www.babson.edu.

MEDIA CONTACT
Register for reporter access to contact details