Ward Shafa Amri — From Medical Sciences to Healthcare Account Management

Bridging science and business: How Ward Shafa Amri found a career in healthcare account management

A background in medical sciences can open doors to many opportunities, but Ward Shafa Amri wanted to explore possibilities beyond traditional clinical and research pathways. The Master of Management of Applied Science (MMASc) program at Western University's Faculty of Social Science offered a way to combine a foundation in science with new business and management skills. Today, Ward works full-time in account management at Ogilvy Health Canada, following an internship that helped launch the next stage of their career.

The program's co-op component and the Ogilvy Health case competition were major attractions for Ward, offering opportunities to apply classroom learning, connect with industry professionals and explore the business side of healthcare. Rather than leaving their science background behind, Ward could build on it while developing the skills needed to navigate a new professional environment.

Throughout the program, group projects and presentations played an important role in Ward's development. Working collaboratively with classmates strengthened their interpersonal skills, while frequent presentations helped them become more comfortable with public speaking. Even concepts learned in the classroom, including those from Organizational Behaviour, became useful in understanding workplace dynamics and interactions with colleagues.

Ward's experience also extended beyond the classroom. After noticing that other graduate programs had student associations while MMASc did not, Ward took the initiative to bring classmates together and co-found the MMASc Student Association. The experience created something future students could continue building on, leaving a lasting contribution to the program community.

"It's something I look back on fondly, knowing we created something that future students can build on and that will hopefully outlive our time at Western," Ward reflects.

That same initiative helped shape Ward's professional journey. With support from the program's Career Development Officer, Jeren, Ward gained access to employer connections and opportunities that helped open doors. The Ogilvy Health case competition became a particularly valuable opportunity, ultimately leading to an internship with Ogilvy Health Canada. That experience paved the way to Ward's current full-time role in account management.

For Ward, the MMASc program helped establish a foothold in the business side of healthcare while making the transition from a science-focused academic background to a business-oriented career more achievable. The combination of applied learning, industry exposure, professional development and networking helped turn an interest in exploring new possibilities into a tangible career path.

Ward encourages prospective students who feel at a crossroads—or who want to explore opportunities beyond the traditional paths associated with their undergraduate degree—to approach the program with curiosity and initiative. Getting involved, making the most of co-op and networking opportunities, and reaching out to the Careers Officer can make a meaningful difference.

As Ward puts it, "There's a lot to gain from the program, especially when you actively seek out those experiences."

Ward's journey demonstrates how the MMASc program can help students build on their existing academic strengths, develop new professional capabilities and discover opportunities they may not have considered before. By combining scientific knowledge with business skills, taking initiative and making industry connections, Ward found a path into healthcare account management—and helped create a stronger community for the students following behind.

"I eventually secured an internship with Ogilvy Health Canada, which led to my current full-time in Account Management."

— Ward Shafa Amri, MMASc graduate