Alumni Update: Where are they now?
Name: Michelle Olo
Degree(s) Received: BSG; MSG, MHA
Year of Graduation: 2000; 2004
Job title: Business Development Manager
Company: Sun Health
Location (city and state): Sun City West, AZ
Please briefly describe your position and your company:
Sun Health is a non-profit health care organization that exists to serve all ages with excellence in medical care, wellness programs, research and education. Sun Health was created to serve the needs of the retirement communities built by its land/real estate developer. Over time, the west Valley demographics have changed significantly and Sun Health now serves a diverse population as opposed to its former focus on aging. The integrated delivery system is composed of 2 hospitals, multiple primary and specialty clinics, community education, rehab, home care, imaging, retirement living, a foundation, and research institute. The Sun Health Research Institute in world renown for its research in neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. (Our physician-scientists discovered the positive effects of Lipitor on Alzheimer’s).
As the Business Development Manager, I am responsible for evaluating and implementing new products, services and joint ventures to enhance the growth and development of the organization. Functionally, I develop business plans, evaluate market opportunities, and analyze the financial impact of entrance into new markets or new service offerings.
Why did you choose to study gerontology at the USC Davis School?
Dr. Schneider was recruiting students to consider the gerontology program as a major or minor, in the GERO 200 course. I was intrigued by the opportunity to do so many different things, based on personal interest. I was unsure exactly what career path I wanted but felt encouraged that I could pursue health care or law with a gero degree.
How did you learn about your current position? Was it through an internship, a previous job, or a connection through USC?
Although I learned about this position through the organizational website posting, my career path has always been attributed to the many mentors that have contributed to my growth while at ‘SC. Kate Wilber, Jodi Cohen, Bob Myrtle, Phoebe Liebig, Jon Pynoos, Liz Zelinski have all been strong supporters and are to be honored for their contributions not only to my success but the success of many of the Davis School grads. These faculty members provided recommendations for internships, post-graduate fellowships, scholarships and awards. Without their support, I don’t believe I would have the types of opportunities that have been offered.
Please briefly describe how the USC Davis School’s curriculum helped prepare you for your current position.
The curriculum helped prepare me for this position by focusing on the importance of interdisciplinary health care, not only for aging adults but for all individuals. Whenever I assess new programs and business opportunities, I consider variables from a multi-system perspective.
What advice would you offer to a prospective student interested in studying gerontology at USC?
I’d advise students to find the faculty member(s) that are experts in an area of interest and seek opportunities to learn more about the subject matter through active participation. I’ve benefited from asking to learn more/apply SAS training to tasks assigned during my RAship, developing & presenting poster sessions, and just asking for feedback on my current & planned career goals, for a different perspective. The faculty are there to help and wouldn’t be there if they truly didn’t enjoy teaching and nurturing students.
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