The Jindal School is introducing its new Healthcare Management Interdisciplinary Area at an ideal time to take advantage of rapid developments in the healthcare industry. The initiative will complement the school’s six academic areas to stay ahead of the industry’s rapid evolution.

The healthcare industry is currently undergoing a fundamental transformation, the latest, and possibly the most sweeping, of many which have redefined its business over the decades. “The industry is shifting from volume-based to value-based models, reshaping how care is paid for, delivered and evaluated,” said Dr. Mehmet Ayvaci, an associate professor in the Information Systems Area and coordinator for the new area.

“Patients now expect more personalized, tech-enabled care,” he said. “Physicians are being trained and assessed differently. Tech companies are entering the space with disruptive innovations, and regulators are rewriting the rules.”

Another timely development providing JSOM an advantage is that artificial intelligence and automation are essential in healthcare’s present and future. JSOM’s strengths in AI and technology align with these fields. Artificial intelligence is poised to have a massive impact across the healthcare value chain — from administrative tasks and workforce productivity to clinical decision-making and operational efficiency.

“Automation has the potential to alleviate some of the system’s biggest inefficiencies,” he said, “but it also introduces new challenges that require thoughtful leadership and oversight.”

All these seismic industry changes, Ayvaci said, point to growing recognition across business, clinical and policy communities that long-standing issues around cost, quality, access and value must be redefined. Addressing these challenges demands talent with both healthcare insight and business expertise.

“That’s where JSOM is uniquely positioned to lead,” he said. “With strengths in information systems, operations, analytics, and core business disciplines like finance and accounting — paired with a growing focus on healthcare — we’re ready to train the interdisciplinary leaders, analysts, and researchers the industry needs at this pivotal moment to strengthen and improve the business side of healthcare.”

The healthcare industry continues to grow in terms of the American economy, now representing nearly 20% of the U.S. gross domestic product. Nationally, ongoing efforts continue to improve quality, access and cost. With its coordinated approach to healthcare management, the Jindal School is ready to move into a leadership role in this industry.

Building on a Strong Foundation

Over the years, the Jindal School has built a range of degree programs related to healthcare management at the undergraduate, graduate and executive education levels. Ayvaci said that combining them into a formal academic interdisciplinary area will help position JSOM as a leader in healthcare management education and research.

“Bringing these programs together under a formal interdisciplinary area will enable better coordination of curricula, faculty expertise and industry partnerships,” he said. “A dedicated interdisciplinary area will also foster greater collaboration among faculty across disciplines, leading to high-impact research in spaces that include healthcare operations, information technology, analytics, policy and economics. I also foresee this effort strengthening partnerships with healthcare institutions and elevating JSOM’s reputation as a hub for healthcare management scholarship and thought leadership — locally and nationally.”

The new area will enhance curriculum development by leveraging the Jindal School’s faculty across business disciplines. Even location is a plus. Ayvaci said the Jindal School’s location in North Texas, which is a major healthcare hub, offers it a key advantage.

“Our new area will strengthen industry connections, enhancing student placements in leading healthcare organizations, consulting firms and policy institutions,” he said. “It will also make healthcare management more appealing to those entering, advancing or transitioning into the field.”

The area will build on existing faculty work that connects academia and industry, supporting research, talent development and knowledge exchange.

“By collaborating with healthcare providers, payers, policymakers and tech firms, JSOM faculty already tackle industry challenges and support evidence-based decision-making,” he said. “The Healthcare Management Area will support and better facilitate those efforts.”

Ayvaci said the Jindal School’s new area was created to meet an industry need.

“We have reached a tipping point in healthcare research and education at UT Dallas,” he said. “Over the years, we’ve seen growing momentum — many faculty now engage with health-related topics across a wide range of problems — and there’s a sizable group whose primary research focus is healthcare, including myself.”

He credited the new area to years of leadership from Jindal School administrators and faculty. Dr. Hasan Pirkul, Caruth Chair and Jindal School dean, spearheaded the initiative.

“He recognized that we now have the maturity, talent, and momentum to formalize this effort,” Ayvaci said.

Together with Dr. Varghese Jacob, Lars Magnus Ericsson Chair and the Jindal School’s vice dean, Pirkul outlined a clear and compelling vision for the area.

“This new interdisciplinary Healthcare Area is really the product of years of long-term planning, institutional investment and alignment with broader trends,” Ayvaci said.

The foundation for the area had been laid across the school at various levels: undergraduate, graduate and in Executive Education.

“At the executive education level, Dr. John McCracken, who has since retired, and Dr. Robert Hicks were instrumental in shaping and guiding the Alliance for Physician Leadership program with its well-regarded MBA and master’s programs,” he said. “They left it in good hands with Don Taylor, who now serves as director.

Dr. Forney Fleming played a key role in developing the MS program, which continues to advance under the leadership of Dr. Keith Thurgood. On the undergraduate side, Dr. Britt Berrett and Kristin Tesmer made significant contributions that Nada Hashim, MS’21, (see page 31) is now building upon — along with many others whose efforts have helped establish a robust and enduring healthcare education ecosystem.”

Industry Partnerships Play A Critical Role

Building and maintaining partnerships with healthcare organizations, policymakers and technology firms will be central to the area’s success.

“Many of our faculty and programs already maintain strong partnerships,” Ayvaci said. “By formalizing these connections, we can create synergy across these efforts and significantly amplify their impact. The Center for Healthcare Leadership and Management (CHLM) will play a central role in this — serving as a platform to engage with industry leaders, curate actionable knowledge and drive innovation both locally and nationally.”

These strategic partnerships will inform both the research agenda and curricula.

“By building on our existing strengths and forming new alliances, we will co-create solutions that matter, expand student opportunities, and ensure our work remains deeply relevant,” he said.

AI and Technology at the Core

Technology and AI are among the Jindal School’s core strengths and are integrated into every degree program it offers. Ayvaci said he and his colleagues are intentionally placing them at the heart of the area’s strategy.

“Recognizing their transformative impact on healthcare, we have been and continue to update our undergraduate and graduate programs with new courses and concentrations in AI and digital health, set to launch in fall 2025,” he said. “These changes reflect our forward-looking vision and commitment to preparing students for the future of healthcare.”

The school has also made strategic faculty hires in healthcare, AI and operations, supported by Dean Pirkul.

“These new colleagues will join in the fall, and I’m incredibly excited about the momentum they will bring,” Ayvaci said. “Our goal is to integrate AI into the curriculum and lead in research on their real-world applications — fairness, interpretability and effectiveness. From predictive analytics to human-in-the-loop systems, we aim to shape a future where technology improves healthcare outcomes.”

A Commitment to Growth and Innovation

Continuous improvement is the area’s motto, Ayvaci said.

“Given the strength of our faculty, programs and partnerships, I see tremendous opportunity ahead,” he said. “There’s a natural momentum. The real question is: Are we prepared? My answer is a resounding yes.”

As the area grows, Ayvaci expects to launch new certifications in health analytics, AI in healthcare and digital health strategy.

“We also envision new research initiatives within CHLM focused on healthcare innovation, value-based care and responsible AI,” he said. “These efforts will be strengthened through expanded collaborations with healthcare systems, technology firms and policymakers — solidifying the Jindal School’s role as a national leader in healthcare education and research.”