The health sector is one of St. Louis’ biggest—and most important—industries. In the coming years, Washington University hopes to leverage research from the Olin Business School to help companies in the field solve big problems and to help innovators bring their medical products to market. In this edition, we look at the school’s plans for its new Business of Health initiative. We also highlight the development projects favored by the city’s mayoral candidates, a delay in Missouri’s sports betting rollout, and more.
Designer Brett Clark (Design Collective STL) and his client take listeners behind the scenes of a Ladue home's kitchen redesign. Add to your queue on Apple Podcasts and Spotify 🎧 »
Patrick Aguilar is leading Washington University's new business of health initiative. Courtesy Washington University
DEEP DIVE
New WashU initiative will bring business insights to health industry
A new Washington University program seeks to use business principles to improve health care systems and operations, as well as to spur new innovations.
Launched late last year, the Business of Health initiative leans on research originating at WashU’s Olin Business School to solve industry challenges, help students launch careers on the business side of the health care field, and turn fresh ideas into real-world solutions.
WashU’s program will focus on four key areas: research, commercialization, executive education, and the expansion of degree programs. Patrick Aguilar, the initiative’s managing director, says one of the priorities will be to provide experiential learning opportunities that will train students for jobs in the industry. In the coming months, the Olin Center for Experiential Learning will match students with projects that address specific industry challenges and equip them with knowledge of broad business understanding and specialized health industry insights.
Why It Matters: The region is home to a variety of biotech startups, health-focused companies, and healthcare delivery systems, including such organizations as Express Scripts, Centene, and BioSTL. Many employers across the region and beyond also operate in industries that don’t look like health but actually have a lot to do with it. Just think of how an employer provides health insurance to employees. Using research from Olin faculty, the Business of Health initiative hopes to make life better for people living in St. Louis—and beyond. One example could be finding solutions to mitigate drug shortages. Business school professors are already doing novel work that intersects with health, including Sydney Scott, an associate professor of marketing who studies consumer engagement with medical products, as well as Tony Sardella, an adjunct lecturer and senior research advisor who is a leader in the commercialization of advanced medical technologies.
What’s Next: In addition to WashU's existing undergraduate degree in health-care management, the university plans to roll out a program offering a master's of business administration with a concentration in healthcare. Next year, the university will also launch a course on pharmaceutical and medical device technology development, along with a course covering the business aspects of the health insurance industry. There will also be continuing education courses covering the ever-changing landscape of the industry. —Kathleen Lees
Ahead of the March 4 primary, the city's mayoral candidates dished on their biggest ideas for St. Louis' future. Photography by Thank You (25 Million Views) via Flickr
Today's Top Stories
St. Louis mayoral candidates answer a big question: What is your vision? (SLM): Alderwoman Cara Spencer says creating a vibrant downtown would be a priority for her administration. Mayor Tishaura Jones hopes to expand public transit and boost tourism efforts, among other ideas. Recorder of deeds Michael Butler says he would prioritize development along the riverfront. Retired utility executive Andrew Jones wants to focus on improving the performance of city departments and agencies.
Start of sports betting in Missouri delayed until later this fall (stltoday): Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, a Republican from Warrensburg, rejected a plan that would have fast-tracked the rule-making process for sports betting. “In the absence of emergency rules, our timeline is being pushed back months. The Commission will proceed with our proposed licensing rules that were filed at the same time and will become effective August 30, 2025,” gaming commission spokeswoman Elizabeth Hoffman said in a statement.
DOGE cuts on St. Louis region are unclear, but NGA construction continues (stltoday): The federal government employs roughly 25,000 people across the St. Louis metro area at such agencies as the Department of Agriculture, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. A spokesperson for the NGA says construction on the $2 billion project that will bring a new western headquarters for the agency to North City will not be impacted by federal cuts.
St. Louis’ fight against vacancy is more of a long war than a single battle (STLPR): Earlier this month, the city's Board of Aldermen passed bills to increase fines for code violations, create new categories of fines for vacant buildings left open to entry and unpermitted demolitions, and make those fines easier to collect by putting them on a property owner's tax bill.
How St. Cecilia’s fish fry became one of St. Louis' most popular parish traditions (SLM): Business manager Heather Sieve says the parish’s desire to honor its Spanish-speaking population helped make the annual dinners a hit. Adopting an online ordering system has also been a success for the parish, Sieve says.
St. Louis food truck goes viral on TikTok, boosting sales during winter season (KMOV): During this slow winter season, the daughter of Hog Call Barbeque food truck owner Philip Kraus turned to social media to help her dad drum up business. Lily Kraus' TikTok video totaled more than 2 million views and helped boost sales.
BRANDED CONTENT
How Dana King Design Build Remodeling prioritizes home organization in every project
"Live Better at Home" is Dana King’s guiding principle that ensures spaces are both beautiful and functional. Explore creative organization solutions and transform how your home functions.
CLOCK OUT
What has you most excited about the future of your company or industry?
“There is tremendous opportunity to connect rural, suburban, and urban communities around shared environmental values. Poll after poll shows people want a safe and protected environment, and we provide an opportunity for them to engage with policy experts to guide them toward solutions to their most pressing environmental concerns.”
—Jared Opsal, Missouri Coalition for the Environment executive director
