In summer 2025, Palak Wadhwa ’24 (healthcare leadership and impact) ’25 (MBA) took Global Health Systems and Innovation, a faculty-led study abroad course set in Stockholm, Sweden and taught by the College of Health Science and Technology. This class will be taken over by Saunders in spring 2026 and offered as MGMT 758 Global Health Systems and Innovation, a graduate elective.
Students in this seminar:
- Gain an understanding of differing healthcare delivery models through examining the Swedish healthcare system, including the systemic challenges, financial management, and delivery models, and political decisions that impact a healthcare system, as compared to the U.S.
- Learn about healthcare management in the Swedish healthcare system, including reimbursement systems, contractual relationships, accounting and budgeting, and efforts to move systems forward to meet the needs of patients and populations.
- Participate in site visits to medical and healthcare institutions in Sweden, including on-site meetings and presentations.
- Hear from guest lecturers, including executives and medical professionals from Sweden.
- Explore the processes employed by healthcare to innovate products and services.
We asked Palak to reflect on her experience:
Studying abroad in Sweden was the perfect opportunity to expand my perspective on healthcare. I’ve always been fascinated by different cultures and systems, and this course gave me the chance to explore healthcare from multiple angles. What made the experience so meaningful was that it wasn’t just about medicine; it also touched on policy, economics, and the business side of healthcare.
In Sweden, we didn’t just meet physicians; we also had the chance to learn from economists, policymakers, and business leaders. That exposure was eye-opening. Healthcare is often seen only through a medical lens, but it’s truly a multifaceted system. Understanding the financial, structural, and policy-driven aspects helped me see the bigger picture of how care is delivered and sustained.
One of the highlights of the course was working with Rochester Regional Health on a real-world project. My team was tasked with creating an implementation plan for a safety committee for employees at RRH. At first glance, it sounded straightforward, but once we dug deeper, we realized how complex healthcare decision-making can be. We had to balance questions like: How do we ensure adequate representation on committees? How do we avoid overloading staff while still maintaining effectiveness? Tackling these challenges gave me valuable hands-on experience, and presenting our work to RRH executives made the project even more rewarding.
Outside academics. Sweden itself was incredible. Everywhere I went, I was struck by how beautiful and breathtaking the country was. There was always something new to admire and appreciate.
This journey not only gave me a deeper understanding of healthcare but also left me with lasting memories of Sweden’s culture, people, and beauty. It was an experience that broadened my outlook and reinforced my passion for learning how healthcare systems function on every level.
Anyone interested in taking Global Health Systems and Innovation in the spring should review the course description. To find out more, please reach out to Hillary McCormick or James Ramsey, who will be leading the next course. The travel component will take place during spring break in 2026.
