Part of any successful career is anticipating and minimizing potential roadblocks. For Luke Morrow, a fourth-year veterinary medicine student, this foresight prompted him to explore Fisher’s Graduate Business Minor in Health Science.

“If I learn one thing that keeps me from messing something up after I start my own practice, it’s worth the time and money,” Morrow said. “I have heard from veterinarians that the business aspect of private practice is really challenging.”

Launched in 2013, the minor provides a solid business foundation for health sciences students enrolled in the Colleges of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Optometry, Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine at Ohio State. The minor explores applicable business concepts including operations and supply chain, management, leadership, accounting and financial analysis.

• Learn more about Fisher's Graduate Business Minor in Health Sciences

“The Graduate Business Minor in Health Science is an excellent opportunity for students outside of Fisher to incorporate sound business principles into their educational careers,” said Heidi Eldred, director of Fisher’s Graduate Global Experiential Education Program and a professor in the Graduate Business Minor in Health Sciences program.

“At Ohio State, they receive world-class medical training. They can apply that medical education more successfully and help more patients if they have the business knowledge necessary to build, grow and profitably manage their medical practices. In addition, the minor is a great way for future leaders in the health sciences fields to differentiate themselves in a growing and competitive marketplace.”

How influential has the Graduate Business Minor in Health Science been for Morrow?

He credited the program for helping him earn the prestigious Simmons Educational Fund Business Aptitude Award at the 2016 North American Veterinary Conference. He was selected as the overall national award winner. Morrow also was named an Elanco Veterinary Business Minor Scholar.

Luke Morrow accepts the Simmons Educational Fund Business Aptitude Award at the 2016 North American Veterinary Conference.

“There are so many ways this program can save you financial or emotional heartache in terms of how to run a business, how to hire the right people, make the right decisions or see opportunity where others might not,” said Morrow, who graduates in May and will begin a professional career working with dairy cattle at Sugarcreek Veterinary Clinic in Sugarcreek, Ohio.

“There are a lot of people making business decisions that don’t have any training on how to make those decisions. That’s why I was really jazzed about the grad minor program—it showed me how to run a successful business, make good decisions and minimize risk.”