For the past three years, the Esade Alumni Health and Pharma Club has been contributing to promoting talent with the Joan Manel Peña Memorial Scholarship, an initiative that sprang from the desire to pay tribute to our colleague Joan Manel Peña (Lic&MBA 71), who died from the coronavirus. The Joan Manel Peña Memorial Scholarship raises money so that an outstanding student can enroll in Esade to pursue the Executive Master’s in Healthcare Organization Management (EMDOS).
“Just when light at the end of the pandemic tunnel was finally in sight with the rollout of the vaccines, our beloved colleague Joan Manel Peña, member of the Board of the Esade Alumni Health and Pharma Club and President-founder of the Esade Alumni Senior Club, fell ill and died. At that time, we thought about paying homage to our colleague, and to do so we decided to create a very special scholarship in his name so that someone could receive assistance to pursue the Executive Master’s in Healthcare Organization Management (EMDOS), a health-oriented program. We got started with Toni Gordillo, a member of the Board and alumnus from the healthcare program, as the operational coordinator, along with the inestimable assistance of Isabel Segura from the Engagement Department, and we managed to collect an important part of the registration fees for the person who would become the scholarship recipient. After the selection process, we met Raquel, who soon joined the Club’s Board. In the Club’s 20-year history, the creation and awarding of this scholarship, the first one at Esade for Executive Education, is one of the accomplishments that make us the most proud,” says Rodrigo Rama, (MBA 89 / Hospital Management 86), president of the Health and Pharma Club.
- How would you rate initiatives like the Joan Manel Peña Memorial Scholarship?
This scholarship is more than just the recognition from financial aid for education; it is essentially a vital bridge between the legacy of inspiring figures and new generations of professionals. In my personal experience, the scholarship not only enabled me to enroll in the Executive Master in Healthcare Organization Management but also opened the doors to the enriching environment of the Health and Pharma Club, which enables me to interact with key board members and professionally immerse myself in the community.
Through this scholarship, I’ve had the privilege of learning about the legacy of Joan Manel Peña, whose influence and contribution to Esade and to social welfare in general continue to resonate. These initiatives serve as a powerful reminder that even though emblematic figures like Joan Manel are no longer physically with us, their spirit and vision last and continue to inspire and train future generations. This is a wonderful tribute that perpetuates the memory of those who have made a significant difference, ensuring that their impact extends far beyond their physical presence and fostering a continuous cycle of learning, innovation, and social contribution.
- After the opportunity to pursue the Executive Master’s in Healthcare Organization Management, which are the next steps in your career?
My career so far has been in healthcare project management in the humanitarian field, which has given me a unique perspective and an invaluable skill set. However, my ambition has always been to expand my horizons and apply my experience and knowledge in a broader context. With this goal in mind, through the EMDOS, I aspire to direct my career towards advanced professional options within healthcare management in Europe. This program has given me not only the competences I need to lead and manage complex healthcare organizations, but also a deeper understanding of European healthcare systems, their challenges, and their opportunities. I am convinced that combining my on-the-ground experience with my advanced knowledge and strategic vision from the EMDOS will enable me to make a significant contribution to improving healthcare systems and have a positive impact on people’s lives.
In short, the EMDOS is the cornerstone on which I aim to build my professional future, to go beyond my previous work experience and open up new avenues where I can apply my passion and commitment to healthcare and wellbeing on a broader scale.
- What has Esade given you?
Esade has been a transformative discovery for me both professionally and personally. First, it has broadened my understanding of the vital importance of management in the field of healthcare and humanitarian aid. Efficiency and efficacy, the cornerstones of having a positive impact on people’s lifes, are based on solid knowledge of team management, economics, and project administration. It has also provided me not only this theoretical foundation, which is essential to my professional development, but also a broader vision of how to apply this knowledge in challenging contexts with scarce resources. But beyond the academic richness and exploring innovative management models and learning about value-based medicine, like Lean Management, or how to handle change, what really made the difference to me was discovering a community.
Esade meant finding a milieu where collaboration, mutual support, and excellence are intertwined, offering a unique space of growth. The network of contacts made up of exceptional people, each with their own vision and commitment, has enriched my experience and provided me not only knowledge but also membership in a group that shares a common purpose.
In conclusion, Esade has given me much more than a business education; it has equipped me with an integral perspective of how knowledge in management can be a catalyst for social change and it has integrated me into a community that upholds and furthers these ideals. This experience has been a revelation, showing me the power of education in transforming not only individuals but also practices and approaches in critical sectors like healthcare.
Esade has meant finding a milieu where collaboration, mutual support, and excellence are intertwined, offering a unique space of growth
- Now that you’re a member of the Esade Alumni community, what are your expectations of the alumni network?
As a recent member of the Esade Alumni community, my expectations revolve around the constant quest for learning and professional enrichment. I profoundly appreciate the opportunity to interact with and learn from those who have occupied executive positions for years, absorbing their experience and knowledge to strengthen my own career. The alumni network offers an exceptional setting for this by fostering exchange and knowledge through unique networking opportunities.
My aspiration is to not only benefit from this rich community but also contribute actively to it. I want to give back to the network what I have received during my education by sharing my experiences and the knowledge I have gained in the field of healthcare management and humanitarian aid. I have a twofold commitment to Esade Alumni: as I try to continue advancing professionally and personally, I am also determined to enrich the community by supporting other members’ development and contributing to our network’s collective value.
