From clinic to capital: One alumnus’ inspiring journey

When Brad Hirsch graduated from Fuqua’s Weekend Executive M.B.A. program in 2011, he’d already donned many hats: wilderness instructor, physician, faculty member at Duke and health economist. What he didn’t expect was just how integral Fuqua would become to his journey as a founder, investor and philanthropist.

Drawn to Fuqua’s Health Sector Management (HSM) program while a clinical fellow at Duke, Hirsch was mentored by Dr. Kevin Schulman and Dr. Amy Abernethy—visionaries in health economics and data-driven clinical care.

Their influence helped shape Hirsch’s belief that health care could be delivered and studied far more efficiently by better using data from routine care.

“I always knew I wanted to be a doctor, but I also knew health care could function better,” Hirsch recalled. “Fuqua helped me learn to lead teams, understand business fundamentals and bridge the gap between medicine and management.”

That combination of clinical insight and business acumen set the stage for a career defined by impact. Hirsch helped scale Flatiron Health before it was acquired by Roche for $2.1 billion. He then served as CEO of SignalPath, a clinical trial management company acquired by Google’s Verily. Today, he is co-founder of Highlander Health, where he and Abernethy invest in and support organizations using data to improve care delivery.

“Whether building teams or businesses, Fuqua gave me the foundation to lead with purpose and vision—connecting business strategy to better outcomes in health care.” — Brad Hirsch M.B.A.’11

Hirsch’s passion for impact extends beyond his professional pursuits. A firm believer in expanding access and excellence in education, he and his wife, Margaret, established a scholarship at Fuqua in 2017. Most recently, they made a new significant commitment to Fuqua, one that received a generous match from The Duke Endowment in Charlotte, to establish the Hirsch Family Professorship. Their aim: to equip the next generation of business leaders and educators with the resources and reach to transform global health.

“It’s simple,” Hirsch said. “If you want the best students and the most inspiring faculty, you have to support both. Fuqua changed my life, and we want others to have the same opportunity.”

MADE FOR THIS: The Duke Campaign is the is the university’s most ambitious fundraising and engagement effort to date. By 2029, we seek to advance Duke’s second-century vision to address the greatest global challenges of our time, while also increasing volunteerism and engagement among our alumni worldwide. Support for the best faculty is a priority: Duke seeks to endow 175 professorships to recruit and retain outstanding teachers, mentors and researchers.

Now serving on Fuqua’s Board of Visitors, Hirsch continues to shape the school’s strategic direction—offering his lens as a founder, former student and faculty member. He also supports the Fuqua Annual Fund, underscoring his belief that flexible resources are essential to keeping the school agile and competitive.

“Team Fuqua is real. It’s not just a slogan,” he said. “It’s about empowering others, leading ethically, and building something larger than yourself. That’s how you change health care. That’s how you change lives.”