By Maria Misbach
Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management has been named the National Partner of the Year by America’s Blood Centers, in recognition of the school’s partnership with the organization to develop and deliver its Executive Fellows Program.
America’s Blood Centers represents a nationwide network of independent community blood centers that supply hospitals with lifesaving blood products. Through the Executive Fellows Program, Owen brings together leaders throughout the U.S. blood community, strengthening the organizations responsible for maintaining the nation’s blood supply.
The award underscores Owen’s leadership in healthcare management education and its collaboration with organizations at the heart of the nation’s healthcare system.
“This recognition is deeply meaningful to our entire team,” said Thomas Steenburgh, Ralph Owen Dean. “Healthcare is one of the areas where Vanderbilt Business has both deep expertise and a strong commitment to impact. Partnering with America’s Blood Centers allows us to bring that expertise to an organization doing critical work for patients and communities.”
Building the Executive Fellows Program
Vanderbilt Business and America’s Blood Centers developed the Executive Fellows Program as a leadership development experience tailored specifically for the blood community.
The initiative focuses on cultivating a network of leaders who challenge each other, share ideas, and bring new approaches back to the organizations responsible for collecting and distributing lifesaving blood products.
The program is led by Rangaraj Ramanujam, along with a multidisciplinary Owen faculty team that designed curriculum addressing the operational, leadership, and strategic challenges facing the industry.
Leaders at America’s Blood Centers, including Kate Fry and Megan Kuhman, worked closely with Vanderbilt faculty and staff to ensure the program reflected the real-world needs of blood centers and the communities they serve.
Advancing Leadership in the Blood Community
The collaboration demonstrates the critical role business schools can play in addressing some of healthcare’s most complex operational and leadership challenges.
“Awards like this are really a reflection of the people you get to work alongside,” said Becca Yancey, member of the Executive Education team, during the award presentation. “We’re grateful to hold it on behalf of Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt Business, but the credit belongs to the entire community that made this program possible.”
Vanderbilt Business and America’s Blood Centers plan to continue expanding the Executive Fellows Program, with the second cohort launching this month.
