“These are real-world problems the students are solving,” says Stacy Splitstone, chief accounting officer at UPMC. On Friday, October 20, 2023, five teams of Pitt Business undergraduate students were tasked to provide insights and solutions to solve a physical space use issue. They would then present those findings to a panel of judges.
Of the first UPMC Finance Case Competition, Splitstone says, “It is important to expose students to the types of challenges that they will encounter in their professional careers as well as continue to highlight the business of healthcare as a career path for Pitt Business graduates.”
Critical Thinking and Public Speaking
Held at the new UMPC Mercy Pavilion, the competition offered students of all years the ability to gain valuable experience and enhance their critical thinking and public speaking skills.
The panel of UPMC employee judges included:
- Tim Kurnocik, Corporate Controller
- Roger SinClair (BSBA ’18), Lead Financial Analyst
- Rachana Mathur, Manager, Finance
- Jonathan Fisher (A&S ’14) Manager, Finance
The winning team was Team St. Margaret’s (named after UPMC St. Margaret in Aspinwall), who presented three well-researched possible solutions to the judging panel. For their efforts, the team has won a shadowing opportunity with UPMC’s Finance Management Rotation Program. Team members included Ryan Dolan, Jack Gutch, Thomas Mainente, and Ronik Patel (all BSBA ’25).
“Pitt Business presents us with many opportunities to expand our network and a vast number of resources that enable us to create the future that we want,” Dolan says. “I chose to participate in the UPMC Finance Case Competition to network with current UPMC employees, learn more about the roles these employees hold within the hospital industry, and get more hands-on experience in the field.”
Second place went to Team Passavant and included Matthew Whalen (BSBA ‘24), Crys Li (‘26), Leyla Ahmadova (’27), Amala Rajeev (‘26), and Ariana Villa (‘26). Highlighted presenters who made an impact on the judges included Owen Huntington (’27), Ethan Berger (‘24), and Theo DiBiasi (‘24).
Setting a Partnership Precedent
This competition is new to Pitt Business; however, the University of Pittsburgh College of Business Administration is proud to have had a career development relationship with UPMC for 10 years. Lindsay Fera, assistant director of employer engagement at Pitt Business, says, “Through internships and research collaborations with UPMC, our students gain practical insights and hands-on experience in the healthcare industry, which is helpful for their future careers.”
Many of the UPMC employees that students were able to connect with during the competition were Pitt Business alumni. Fera says, “The UPMC partnership fosters a strong network of alumni and industry connections.” These connections were touted as among the most valuable aspects of the competition, according to students.
Room for Future Growth
Splitstone, who also serves as an undergraduate executive-in-residence, sees the competition continuing in the future. She says, “Given the overwhelmingly positive feedback we got from the students, we envision that in future years we could expand the number of Pitt Business students that participate and possibly expand to other schools regionally or nationally.”
Patel wholeheartedly recommends other students participate in this competition in the future. “Engaging in this competition has been an enriching experience that goes beyond the academic realm, providing a platform to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting. Moreover, the networking opportunities with industry professionals offer valuable insights and potential connections,” he says.
Get Involved!
This case competition is just one of many opportunities offered by Pitt Business to help undergraduate students gain skills inside and outside the classroom. For news about future opportunities, students can speak to a member of the career development staff, check Teams and Handshake, and follow Pitt Business on social media.
