Recently, the Young Health Professionals Society (YHPS) spoke with Ilene Tsui (IT) to discuss her professional experiences and work at the Advisory Board Company, a leading provider of comprehensive performance improvement services to the health care and education sectors.

YHPS: What does your job entail? How did you get passionate about it?

IT: I am a research analyst at the Advisory Board Company, and I work on the Diagnostic Imaging team. Our firm uses a hybrid research and consulting model to help hospitals and health systems with capital or strategic planning initiatives. For example, a hospital will ask us a question about a technology investment and whether or not to pursue it, and it is our job to do the financial analysis as well as speak with key stakeholders to understand their situation and model the most appropriate investment options. My interest in this job and firm stems from a passion for medicine and the healthcare industry. Especially in today's healthcare reform climate, it has been particularly rewarding learning about all the moving pieces that clinicians and administrators will need to consider as the industry moves forward.

YHPS: Where do you see your field progressing in the next five years?

IT: I think there will be tremendous opportunity in the field of healthcare consulting in the next five years, given the myriad changes that the industry is expecting. Our company's job is to understand the latest trends and challenges facing various service lines specifically, and to integrate what we know about healthcare policy and reform with our expert knowledge on hospital strategy planning that we have accumulated over the years.

YHPS: What are the biggest challenges and opportunities facing your organization right now?

IT: Staying informed about the latest policy changes and being able to assure our members as they face a very difficult transition period within the industry.

YHPS: What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

IT: As a recent college graduate, the most challenging aspect of my job is having to talk to CEOs and VPs of strategic planning at these various hospitals while sounding knowledgeable and confident. It is also challenging to have to learn a lot about various service line issues and technologies very quickly, in order to help answer a request from a member seeking advice or guidance.

YHPS: Do you have any other work experience in the health field?

IT: No, most of my experience has been in the clinical sciences doing research.

YHPS: What is your educational background?

IT: I recently graduated from Wellesley College, where I double majored in Neuroscience and Art History.

YHPS: What are your long term professional interests?

IT: I would like to go to medical school and perhaps go on to receive a dual MD/MBA degree. I feel that it is important for clinicians working in the hospital environment to understand the bigger picture of how hospitals have to make decisions, how payment reform is going to affect all the various players, how hospitals can prepare for accountable care initiatives, etc. My professional interests are to practice clinical medicine but also eventually serve an administrative role.

YHPS: What three tips would you give young professionals just starting out in the health field?

IT:There are three tips I would give.

1. Be passionate about the field and your work, because you will be surrounded by people who are and that is motivating.
2. Be open to different career paths and roles-- there are many in the healthcare industry and many ways to get involved!
3. Network! It may seem like a big industry, but the few key players and firms can oftentimes make it seem small as well. Get to know the various options out there in terms of careers to pursue and be open-minded, especially if you have interests in both the clinical and business worlds.

YHPS: What are your other interests and hobbies?

IT: I enjoy staying active-- running and playing tennis. I am also an avid artist and enjoy scoping out the museum/arts scene in DC!