Case Competition

Overview

The Cleveland Clinic Case Competition is designed to offer graduate-level students in healthcare administration the opportunity to apply their coursework to a real-world situation and develop recommendations to a team of executives at an internationally recognized health system. Participants are given a weekend to develop recommendations to be reviewed by a team of Cleveland Clinic caregivers. Students from Masters programs across the country are invited to participate in the event.

Registration Eligibility & Prizes

The event is designed to offer full-time, residential MHA, MPH, MHSA and MBA (healthcare focus) students the ability to translate academic concepts into solutions addressing an issue within one of the world’s foremost healthcare organizations. This year’s case will be focused on a Cleveland Clinic enterprise strategic initiative.  All cases will be reviewed by Cleveland Clinic leaders, and the top 16 quarter-finalist teams will be invited on-site to present their cases to a panel of executives. Each of the four finalist teams will receive cash prizes and awards.

Details and competition rules will be forthcoming after registration is complete.

Important to note:

• Eligibility: Full-time, residential MHA/MPH/MHSA/MBA students or students enrolled in equivalent graduate programs.
• Part-time MHA/MPH/MHSA/MBA, Executive MHA/MPH/MHSA/MBA students and their equivalents may not register or participate.
• Former Cleveland Clinic Interns may not register or participate.
• Registration for first round review is FREE for each 3-4 MHA/MPH/MHSA/MBA student team.
• A registration fee of $400 will be charged to each quarter-finalist team prior to presentations.
• There is no limit on how many teams per school or program can register.
• Cash prizes are awarded to each of the four finalists.

Benefits of Participating

Exposure to senior leaders

Cleveland Clinic’s case competition affords students the ability to network, present, and receive feedback from senior leaders currently working and leading the field Leverage the unparalleled opportunity to network with highly-esteemed and multidisciplinary healthcare executives of a world-renowned health system. Our case competition is also an opportunity to gain a better understanding of how health care leaders think and prioritize concerns as top health executives probe into your proposed solution during a Q&A session.

Networking

Healthcare is a small field, and having connections from organizations students may not otherwise interact with is a huge asset. Not only does the case competition provide the opportunity to learn from other MHA, MPH, MHSA and MBA students attending top-ranked graduate programs across the nation, it also helps bolster an expansive professional network and cultivate lifelong professional and personal relationships.

Teamwork & collaboration

Cleveland Clinic’s case competition provides the opportunity for students to apply classroom learnings to timely challenges facing the field while working in the team-based model that healthcare is today. Students learn to leverage the unique skill set and personality of a team in order to work towards a common goal.

The competition

Practice makes perfect. Cleveland Clinic’s case competition will provide students the opportunity to practice presenting both your individual ideas and large amounts of information in a challenging environment which will better prepare you for success in your personal and professional leadership journey. Students will translate classroom concepts into feasible, innovative, and sustainable solutions for complex healthcare challenges faced in the real world while obtaining thorough and constructive feedback from industry experts across the Cleveland Clinic enterprise to further personal development and presentation style.

Post-graduate opportunities

Through our case competition, students will gain exposure to Cleveland Clinic as an organization and as a fellowship program. We hope this visibility and opportunity to learn more will further expand interest in a career at Cleveland Clinic. The Cleveland Clinic case competition is a great opportunity to gain insight into the operations of a top health system.

Career preparation

Our case competition offers the opportunity to make complex decisions based on limited information and practice moving forward in ambiguous situations. Students learn how to strategize and think through operationalizing initiatives taking into consideration limited resources.

2023 Case Competition

We are pleased to share the results of the 10th Annual Cleveland Clinic Case Competition held this March, 2023. Graduate students from top MHA, MPH, MHSA and MBA programs submitted cases in early February, and the top 16 teams were invited for a live, in-person competition. This year’s case, focused on creating a strategic plan on the addition of medical and radiation cancer services at Cleveland Clinic London, provided a robust educational experience for the students.

The teams presented their case recommendations to judges, with executives from Cleveland Clinic London, Operations, Strategy, and our Caregiver Office. The top 4 teams presented to finalist judges: Jim Cotelingam, Chief Strategy Officer at Cleveland Clinic; Dr. Kelly Hancock, Chief Caregiver Officer at Cleveland Clinic, Bill Peacock, Chief of Operations at Cleveland Clinic, Will Rowberry, Chief Commercial Officer at Cleveland Clinic London, and Abigail Stapleton, Executive Director of International Strategy at Cleveland Clinic London, who also participated in a panel discussion and Q&A session, followed by announcements of the team awards.

Results are listed below.

Previous Competitions

2023 Case Competition

Case overview

The 2023 Case Competition case focused on creating a strategic plan on the addition of medical and radiation cancer services at Cleveland Clinic London. The teams presented their case recommendations to judges, representing groups including Cleveland Clinic London, Operations, Strategy, and our Caregiver Office. The top 4 teams presented to finalist judges: Jim Cotelingam, Chief Strategy Officer at Cleveland Clinic; Dr. Kelly Hancock, Chief Caregiver Officer at Cleveland Clinic, Bill Peacock, Chief of Operations at Cleveland Clinic, Will Rowberry, Chief Commercial Officer at Cleveland Clinic London, and Abigail Stapleton, Executive Director of International Strategy at Cleveland Clinic London, who also participated in a panel discussion and Q&A session, followed by announcements of the team awards.

Finalist placing and champion

1. University of Michigan.
2. University of Minnesota.
3. The George Washington University.
4. Army-Baylor University.

Executive judges and panel

• Jim Cotelingam – Chief Strategy Officer.
• Kelly Hancock, DNP, RN, NE-BC – Chief Caregiver Officer.
• William (Bill) M. Peacock, III – Chief of Operations.
• Will Rowberry – Chief Marketing Officer, Cleveland Clinic London.
• Abigail (Abi) Stapleton – Executive Director of International Strategy.

2022 Case Competition

Case Overview

The 2022 Case Competition case focused on focused on creating a strategic plan to address disruptors to primary care growth and success in population health for the Cleveland Clinic. The teams presented their case recommendations to judges, representing groups including Strategy, Community Care and Clinical Operations. The top 4 teams presented to finalist judges: Jim Cotelingam, Chief Strategy Officer at Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Kelly Hancock, Chief Caregiver Officer at Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Leslie Jurecko, Chief Safety and Quality Officer at Cleveland Clinic, and Bill Peacock, Chief of Operations at Cleveland Clinic, who also participated in a panel discussion and Q&A session, followed by announcements of the team awards.

Finalist placing and champion

1. Columbia University.
2. Rush University.
3. University of Southern California.
4. University of Michigan.

Executive judges and panel

• Jim Cotelingam – Chief Strategy Officer.
• Kelly Hancock, DNP, RN, NE-BC – Chief Caregiver Officer.
• Leslie Jurecko, MD, MBA – Chief Safety and Quality Officer.
• William (Bill) M. Peacock, III – Chief of Operations.

2021 Case Competition

Case overview

The 2021 Case Competition case focused on recommendations for reactivating deferred colonoscopy care for the Cleveland Clinic. The teams presented their case recommendations to judges, representing groups including Strategy, Community Care and Clinical Operations. The top 4 teams presented to finalist judges: Gina Cronin, Chief Talent Officer at Cleveland Clinic; Jim Cotelingam, Interim Chief Strategy Officer at Cleveland Clinic; Shaun Ng, Managing Director, Operations, Risk & Investment Analytics at Cleveland Clinic; and Dr. Matthew Walsh, Chairman of General Surgery and Vice Chairman of the Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute at Cleveland Clinic who also participated in a panel discussion and Q&A session, followed by announcements of the team awards.

Finalist placing and champion

1. Cornell University.
2. London Business School.
3. University of Southern California.
4. Trinity University.

Executive judges and panel

• Gina Cronin.
• Jim Cotelingam.
• Shaun Ng.
• Matthew Walsh, MD.

2020 Case Competition

Case overview

The 2020 Case Competition case focused on digital cardiac chronic disease management strategy recommendations for Cleveland Clinic. The teams presented their case recommendations to judges, representing groups including Strategy, Community Care and Regional Operations. The top 4 teams presented to finalist judges: Gina Cronin, Chief Talent Development Officer at Cleveland Clinic; Vivian Yu, Administrator, East Region Primary Care and Internal Medicine & Geriatrics at Cleveland Clinic; and Jon Steiner, Director Business Development at Cleveland Clinic who also participated in a panel discussion and Q&A session, followed by announcements of the team awards.

Finalist placing and champion

1. Trinity University.
2. Rush University.
3. Trinity University.
4. Saint Louis University.

Executive judges and panel

• Gina Cronin
• Vivian Yu
• Jon Steiner

2019 Case Competition

Case overview

The 2019 Case Competition case focused on the growth strategy recommendations for the Cleveland Clinic + Oscar Health product. The teams presented their case recommendations to 24 executive judges on Day 1 with an interactive session with Adrienne Boissy, MD, and a conversation and Q&A with Dr. Mihaljevic. The top 4 teams presented to finalist judges: Dennis Weaver, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Oscar Health, Josette Beran, Michael Harrington, William Peacock and Herbert Wiedemann, MD. The final judges along with, Karen Mihalik, also participated in a panel discussion and Q&A session, followed by announcements of the team awards.

Finalist placing and champion

1. University of Michigan.
2. University of Michigan.
3. University of Minnesota.
4. University of California, Los Angeles.

Executive judges and panel

• Dennis Weaver, MD.
• Chief Medical Officer at Oscar Health.
• Josette Beran.
• Michael Harrington.
• William Peacock.
• Herbert Wiedemann, MD.
• Karen Mihalik.

2018 Case Competition

Case overview

The 2018 Case Competition case focused on the Orthopaedic growth strategy and provided a great educational experience for the students. The teams presented their case recommendations to 24 executive judges, with an interactive innovations session with William Morris, MD, and a conversation with Tomislav Mihaljevic, MD, CEO & President, to end the day.

The final 4 teams presented their case recommendations on Day 2 to executive judges: Murali Gangadharan, Jonathan Schaffer, MD, Lisa Yerian, MD, and James Young, MD. Dr. Schaffer gave an engaging presentation followed by a panel discussion with the Executive Judges and Rick Byers, prior to the announcements of the final 4 winners:

Finalist placing and champion

1. The Ohio State University.
2. The Ohio State University.
3. University of Michigan.
4. University of Minnesota.

Executive judges and panel

• Rick Byers.
• Murali Gangadharan.
• Jonathan Schaffer, MD.
• Lisa Yerian, MD.
• James Young, MD.

2017 Case Competition

Case overview

Our 4th Cleveland Clinic MBA/MHA Case Competition focused on the Southern Region Strategy and provided a great educational experience to students. Graduate students from top MBA/MHA schools submitted cases in mid-February, and the top 16 teams were invited for a ‘live’ on-site competition in April. The final 4 teams presented their case recommendations to executive judges: Ann Huston, Stephen Jones, MD, Brian Harte, MD, William Peacock and Jan Murphy. Drs. Jones and Harte gave a presentation on the case ‘solution’, followed by a panel discussion with all judges, moderated by Jan Murphy, prior to the announcements of the final 4 winners. Results are listed below along with the executive judges:

Finalist placing and champion

1. Rush University.
2. Trinity University.
3. George Washington University.
4. Kellogg School of Management
   Northwestern University.

Executive judges

• Ann Huston, Chief Strategy Officer.
• Stephen Jones, MD, President, Regional Hospital & Family Health Centers.
• Brian Harte, MD, President, Akron General.
• Janice Murphy, Chief Operating Officer, Regional Operations.
• William Peacock, Chief of Operations.

2016 Case Competition

Case overview

The 3rd annual Cleveland Clinic Case Competition was held Thursday, April 7 and Friday, April 8, 2016. The case focused on our international strategy in London and required participants to use both quantitative and qualitative skills to develop a three-year market entry strategy for Cleveland Clinic London. Participants were given a weekend to develop recommendations through a written executive summary and PowerPoint. The team’s innovative recommendations ranged from developing research and education partnerships with the NHS to creating consumer-centric health kiosks for heart and cardiac screenings.

Finalist placing & champion

1. University of Michigan.
2. University of California Los Angeles.
3. Kellogg School of Management.
4. Yale School of Public Health.

Executive judges

• Ann Huston - Chief Strategy Officer.
• Steven Glass - Chief Financial Officer.
• Marc Harrison, MD – Chief of International Business Development.
• William Peacock – Chief of Operations.

2015 Case Competition

Case overview

The 2015 case was centered on strategic growth of Cleveland Clinic Florida. The case required teams to use both quantitative and qualitative skills to develop a five-year growth plan for Florida in a highly competitive market. Teams were provided a dataset with detailed inpatient data for the Southeast Florida market as well as several accompanying sources of information pertaining to the region. Students were asked to focus their recommendations on overall positioning, service line growth, innovative affiliation models with payers, and alignment of a fragmented physician market.

Finalist placing and champion

1. University of California Los Angeles.
2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
3. Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
4. Ohio State University.

2014 Case Competition

Case overview

The 2014 case focused on the strategy of Cleveland Clinic’s Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute (HVTI) in the rapidly changing healthcare environment. Students were given detailed information and data on the Institute’s quality and patient experience metrics, virtual program offerings, as well as recent expansion initiatives. Each team was tasked with developing innovative strategies to grow HVTI’s patient network and a framework for the transition to value-based care. Students were also asked to articulate how Cleveland Clinic can use unique methods of direct patient outreach to build awareness of the HVTI affiliate network and care model.

Finalist placing and champion

1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
2. Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
3. University of Michigan.
4. Cornell.

Past participants

• Baruch College, Zicklin School of Management.
• Carnegie Mellon University.
• Columbia Business School.
• Columbia University.
• Cornell University.
• Dartmouth College, Tuck School of Business.
• Florida International University.
• George Washington University.
• Indiana University, Kelley School of Business.
• New York University.
• New York University, Stern School of Business.
• Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management.
• Ohio State University.
• Rush University.
• Texas A&M University.
• Texas State University.
• Trinity University.
• Union Graduate College.
• University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
• University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).
• University of Florida.
• University of Iowa.
• University of Michigan.
• University of Michigan, Ross School of Business.
• University of Missouri Columbia.
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
• University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School.
• University of South Carolina.
• University of Virginia.
• Virginia Commonwealth University.
• Yale University.

FAQs

Q: What are the deliverables that are required for submission?
A: Each team is required to submit the following deliverables:

• Executive summary (2-3 pages inclusive of graphics and tables).
• PowerPoint presentation.

Q: Is there a limit to the number of slides for the presentation?
A: There is not a specified slide limit. However, the presentation should take no more than 15 minutes to present. Teams will be judged, in part, on professional and concise slides that are visually interesting. Teams may reference appendix slides in the presentation.

Q: Are teams permitted to discuss and receive input on the case from professors or other healthcare professionals?
A: Teams may not contact any employees of Cleveland Clinic Health System or its affiliates. In addition, participants may not consult with other healthcare professionals nor with professors.

Q: After the case is released, is there an opportunity to ask Cleveland Clinic clarifying questions regarding the content of the case?
A: Yes. Cleveland Clinic will hold a brief phone conference the morning after the case is released to answer any clarifying questions from participants. Questions should be emailed in advance of the call.

Q: What is the structure of the Quarter-Final, Semi-Final & Final round presentations?
A: Quarter-Final, Semi-Final & Final presentations are held over the course of 2 days, and they will be held in-person at Cleveland Clinic. All teams will have 15 minutes to give their presentations followed by up to 10 minutes of Q&A. On the first day, the 16 quarter-finalist teams will present. After review, the top 8 teams will advance to the semi-final presentation round, held later on day one. The top 4 teams will then advance to the final presentation round, held on day two.

Q: Are teams allowed to modify their slide deck before the on-site presentation?
A: Teams are permitted to make slight modifications to their presentations, but are not permitted to change the recommendations.

Q: Do teams need to have four members?
A: Each team must have 3-4 members. For teams advancing to on-site presentations, each team member must present.

Q: Can multiple teams from the same program or university participate?
A: Yes. There is no limit on the number of teams per program or university.

Q: Can executive program students register to participate?
A: No. Executive Masters students may not register or participate in the Cleveland Clinic Case Competition.

Contact Us

Questions?

For questions regarding the Cleveland Clinic Case Competition, please contact:

Cassie Ciarlillo
Case Competition
Cleveland Clinic - Health Education Campus
9501 Euclid Avenue, EC30
Cleveland, OH 44106
Email: ciarlic@ccf.org