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Creating a New Career Path - Yale Highlights a Florida Alumnus

Often when viewing What is your How did YSPH prepare you for and humble, and they have insights that
how one’s own career current job? your current work? we students surely did not have at the
is progressing, those As an attorney representing YSPH taught me the evolution of how time we were there. Stay in touch with
on the rise look to find healthcare organizations from the healthcare industry has progressed your friends and they will be your sup-
related stories of oth- hospitals to physician groups, over the last 100+ years. Because of port.
ers reaching new health care private equity firms, YSPH, I understand the trajectory of
heights. software companies, and diag- where my clients need to go. Without the Were there any faculty or staff
How they got to nostic testing labs and facilities YSPH training, my ability to guide clients mentors who influenced your
where they are? Yale - I passionately represent my would be simply limited. In the health- YSPH experience?
University highlights clients’ legal positions in transac- care law space, it is not only important The faculty and staff at YSPH are
certain notable alumni tions and before courts. I prose- for attorneys to know the law, but also incredible, starting with Dr. Mayur Desai,
and provides insights cute and defend claims for my the business and the practical side of who is the “AP student whisperer.” Dr.
into how the alumnus’ Ben Assad Mirza, Esq., clients. I started the firm MIRZA how businesses are evolving. When I Yusuf Ransome showed us a side of
career path has shaped LLM, MPHA | Healthcare Law partners. In our engage with clients, I do it confidently humanity that we rarely see. Dr. Mark
them and how they firm, we help senior healthcare because of my training at YSPH. YSPH Schlesinger taught us how our govern-
have shaped the world. administrators, physicians and in-house actually changed the way I practice law. I mental health system got where it is
Recently Yale School of Public Health legal counsels, who are overwhelmed by am forever grateful. today and where it is going. Dr. Zack
(YSPH), in conjunction with Yale School the competition and economic squeeze Cooper explained the economics of
of Medicine, highlighted a Florida they see coming. We protect their contrac- Do you have a favorite YSPH healthcare and how money impacts deci-
healthcare attorney, Ben Assad Mirza. tual rights and litigate if needed. We are experience you can share? sion making. Dr. Jason Schwartz helped
Understanding the path to career suc- former large healthcare institution attor- My favorite YSPH experiences are us figure out the maze of healthcare play-
cess and fulfillment is not easy, but in neys protecting the small guys. understanding healthcare policies and ers and processes. Dr. Howard Forman
healthcare, people like Ben Mirza are the conversations on campus. Walking led engaging colloquiums and brought
finding new ways to achieve. They take Describe your work and why on campus, one really feels the sense of transparency to ACHE student board
the time and the steps to: you find it rewarding/challeng- history. I really enjoyed my professors, meetings. Dr. Melinda Pettigrew made
1. Start by defining the space (aka ing. and their insights are invaluable to me. me realize that microbials can and will
industry) and the people (aka customer) I usually represent “golden nuggets” – The administrative team at YSPH makes change my life and Dr. Catherine Yeckel
they find the most satisfaction in serving. the small precious healthcare businesses. you feel like family and their welcoming explained to us the obesity pandemic.
2. Look for gaps in service (aka market When my clients are in a squeeze or hit- warmth is incredibly generous. The col- The YSPH administrative team is incred-
opportunities) of what the customers are ting full stride, I feel it. I am here to help lection of restaurants in New Haven is ible too. Associate Dean for Student and
seeking. guide them through the process and dili- incredible too; and East Rock is where I External Affairs Dr. Frank Grosso always
3. Tool-up for gaining the ability to gently represent their position. Conversely, went to catch my solace. brought a firm hand and sensibility to
serve. I am also there when my clients need to do discussions. Career Services Director
4. Take time to serve from the heart, a “reality check”, and when we interact, I What advice do you have for Felicia Spencer gave us grounded career
without regard to compensation. speak from the heart and what I would do current students? guidance. Admissions Director Mary
5. Once these “dues” are paid, the if I was running their business. When the The advice I have for current students Keefe is instrumental in bringing incred-
uniqueness of the service, niche and clients come back to me repeatedly is is to be engaged on campus and do as ibly talented students to YSPH. Student
financial returns leads to new horizons when I feel most rewarded. I know my many things as you can, for your time at Affairs Director Stacey Tuttle helped us
for those willing to pave new paths. clients have many choices. I know they YSPH will fly by. Each interaction is balance our curriculum and goals in life.
To understand the new horizon that have serious concerns. Of all the choices, invaluable. When you go to class, listen And of course Dean Sten Vermund is at
Ben Mirza has embarked upon, read the they chose me as their legal guide. It is my to each lecture and think about how that the helm and always direct and humble
following Yale article excerpt or visit responsibility and my honor to protect and information or process is being applied in his conversations no matter who he is
www.MirzaHealthLaw.com. guide them. in the real world. Talk to the YSPH staff talking to. What an incredible team of
regularly. They are incredibly refreshing people I was blessed to meet.

8 February 2022 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News