Our Alumni: Daniel Markowitz

I work as a consultant for Deloitte Advisory in the Life Sciences and Healthcare practice. Deloitte’s Life Sciences and Health Care practice is among the largest in the world, and we work with a variety of health providers, health plans, and life sciences clients in order to help them transform their strategic vision into innovative and practical health care solutions. I focus particularly on industry-specific regulations, helping our client’s mitigate regulatory risk and achieve compliance. However, my job changes from day-to-day depending on who my client is, and what challenges they need us to address. I have had the opportunity to work with a health plan, a network of Skilled Nursing Facilities, a provider group, as well as a large retailer. I am required to continuously learn about new sectors of the health care market, and develop new skill-sets in order to help our clients.

What inspired you to pursue an MPH in your area of specialization?

As an undergraduate student, the health care market fascinated me. As a result I was drawn to study Public Health. I was particularly interested in health care policy, and how small changes to the market could have a dramatic impact on individuals’ access to care. Enrolling in Tufts’ Masters of Public Health program always seemed like a natural progression, giving me the chance to expand my knowledge of the health care market. I chose the Health Service Management and Policy concentration because of my interest in health care policy. I also knew that I wanted to go into consulting at some point in my career, and this concentration seemed like a good fit. 

What drew you to the Tufts’ Program?

I was in Tufts’ combined Bachelor’s/MPH program, so I started the Master’s program while I was still an undergraduate student. I wanted to have the opportunity to continue taking courses in public health, and I believed that a Master of Public Health would give me increased credentials and credibility as a health care professional. I think that studying Public Health provides health care professionals with an invaluable perspective, challenging us to continually uncover and seek solutions to improving the nation’s health care system. Additionally, I was extremely happy with the university’s undergraduate Community Health program, prompting me to take classes at the Medical school. 

How did your Tufts degree help prepare you to work in the field (or what were the highlights of your Program)?

Clients expect consultants to have a vast understanding of their industry. The program provided me with a foundational understanding of the nation’s health care system and a passion to continue learning. I believe that my coworkers and clients can tell that I have a well thought out and informed understanding of the healthcare market and this is essential to consulting. Additionally, the program teaches you to hone a host of critical professional skills including writing, research, and other more technical skills. However, I have found that my job also necessitates on-the-job learning. The healthcare market is complex, and our client’s needs are constantly changing. I did not leave the program with an understanding of core consulting skills, and I have had to develop these capabilities on the job. 

What advice do you have for prospective students?

Get excited for your future careers. Your careers will allow you to expand your knowledge base and gather a new perspective that is different from academia.  With a public health degree, you will have the opportunity to shape and improve the health care system, but you will also need to continually develop your skills.  

I found that my job has been starkly different from a lot of my coursework, but I think that this has been one of the most valuable aspects of my work. I get to learn something new every day, adding to the skill-set that I acquired in the Master’s program. Although you may not know everything required of you in your new job, it does not mean that you are not equipped to develop these new skills. Tufts’ program is challenging, and you are taught to be a problem solver. Every time I get assigned to a new client, it is almost like I am starting day one at a different job. Although this can be intimidating, learn how to be flexible as professionals and approach every new experience as an opportunity. Look for jobs that will challenge you and force you to continue to develop.