 Robyn, Vice President for Business Development Advocate Health Centers
UM SPH Degree: M.P.H. 2002, Health Behavior and Health Education
Other Degree: B.S., 1999
What professional steps led to your current position?
I started at Advocate Health Centers as a community relations specialist. In this role I met various key leaders within our organization and the community. I was responsible for creating programs to promote our physicians and enhance the health status of the communities we serve. This function reported to the vice president of business development.
Less than three years later, I was promoted to director of business development and shortly thereafter, vice president. Currently I oversee physician network development, strategy and planning, marketing, public relations, business and community relations.
What are the benefits/challenges of your job and/or organization?
My position offers a lot of diversity in the projects initiated. I work with physicians and our operations team as well as members of the community and key leaders in our parent organization (Advocate Health Care, one of the largest health care systems in the U.S.). Business development has the unique, challenging responsibility of anticipating market changes. In order to do this successfully, you have to stay on top of legislative issues, local challenges and needs, as well as best practices. We are constantly challenged to develop creative strategies to grow our organization.
Thinking back about your Michigan experience, do you have any stories (funny or unique) you could share?
When I applied to Michigan, I was not aware of just how prestigious a program Michigan had. On the first day of orientation we were listening to the dean tout Michigan's ranking. I turned to the student next to me and expressed my excitement: "Really, we're tied for third. That's pretty good." I'll never forget the look on this student's face. Her expression didn't need any clarification. Her face clearly stated, "you must be the dumbest person they have let into this program."
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