Chicago VP Helps Healthcare Organizations Improve Patient Outcomes
Dan Seals has a master's degrees in public policy and business, so it is no surprise that he has spent his career moving between the public and private sectors. On the public sector side, he worked on Capitol Hill for the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. On the private sector side, Seals did sales and marketing for Sprint and General Electric as well as his own consulting. His current role allows him to combine his public and private sides. He works for a company called MPA Healthcare Solutions. The company uses data to help healthcare organizations of all types to improve quality, reduce costs, and increase transparency.
What are the responsibilities of your current role?
"I am vice-president for business development. I am responsible for marketing, sales, partnerships, and growth strategies for the firm."
What is your favorite part of your daily duties?
"My favorite daily activity is working with the clinicians here. They have tremendous insight not just into what is right with our healthcare system, but what is wrong with it, too. We're using that to help healthcare organizations improve outcomes for their patients."
Do you feel your education prepared you for your current role?
"Yes. Healthcare is unique in that it deals with important policy issues like public health and access to care, but is also a business. My policy background has helped me to grasp the policy issues. My business background has helped me to see the opportunities to make it work better for customers."
Do you have any advice for people who desire to pursue a similar career?
"Try to get some sales experience. If you understand the customer and what they care about, figuring out how to help your company—and succeed in any role—will become a lot easier."
Michelle Guilbeau is a writer, reviewer, teacher and business owner living in Chicago, Illinois. She also has experience in school administration, literacy coaching and is proud founder of CraftKitsForKids.com and MichelleGuilbeau.com Michelle enjoys sharing her knowledge of Chicago, food, travel, education and parenting issues with her readers. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.