Andrea Sandoval
The Dartmouth community is supportive and tight-knit. I experienced this in my interactions with the prior MHA cohort who were truly interested in sharing valuable insights about the program and their careers.
I am a regulatory operations professional with over five years of experience at Pfizer. I led global submission strategies and collaborated with cross-functional teams across the globe. With a background in Chemical Engineering and Project Management, I’ve focused on optimizing regulatory workflows, supporting FDA approvals, and implementing tools that enhance efficiency and compliance. I’m passionate about healthcare innovation and committed to improving patient access through more effective systems and policies.
I love to travel, as it allows me to explore new cultures and broaden my perspective, inspiring my personal and professional growth. I also practice Hapkido, a martial art that helps me stay disciplined, focused, and balanced.
What drew you to pursue an MHA degree?
Over the past several years, I’ve been immersed in the dynamic world of the pharmaceutical industry, designed process optimization tools, and managed complex cross-regional projects. These experiences have given me a deep appreciation for how operational efficiency, policy, and leadership influence patient access to healthcare innovations. I am pursuing an MHA to broaden my impact in the healthcare sector beyond regulatory affairs. I aspire to take on leadership roles where I can influence organizational strategies and contribute to building more equitable healthcare systems.
Why Dartmouth?
The Dartmouth community is supportive and tight-knit. I experienced this in my interactions with the prior MHA cohort who were truly interested in sharing valuable insights about the program and their careers. This included details on their day-to-day interactions with peers and faculty, and how this Master's degree program has and will continue to have an impact on their career. I wanted a school with a thriving and collaborative community and strong network opportunities that will contribute notably throughout my professional and personal life.
Another unique factor is Dartmouth's academic distinction and flexibility, offering an educational experience that blends excellence, research, and innovation as the core values, embracing diversity in an inclusive learning environment.
What has been the best part of the program for you – so far?
The program has been highly enriching. One of the most impactful experiences was the Virtual Reality visit to Narayana Health, a high-volume healthcare system in India, led by Professor Vijay Govindarajan, a globally recognized expert in strategy and innovation. This experience provided valuable insights into the key differences between the U.S. and Indian healthcare systems and highlighted innovative approaches to addressing health disparities, improving quality of care, and enhancing operational efficiency.
What are your career goals post-MHA?
After receiving my MHA at Dartmouth, my short-term goal is to make a career transition from regulatory operations to health strategy and policy, thus making a more profound impact in the healthcare industry. In this position, I would contribute to the execution of strategies intended to commercialize novel treatments that are affordable to patients, especially in emerging markets.
Long-term, I aspire to become a leader in the development and implementation of healthcare policies and regulatory frameworks that expand access to equitable, high-quality medical treatments and health services in developing countries. My goal is to help shape a holistic, patient-centered healthcare system by collaborating with key stakeholders across the industry, including policymakers, providers, payers, and communities. I see myself partnering closely with interdisciplinary teams to design and implement robust, sustainable models that address complex healthcare challenges, drawing on my background as a chemical engineer and MHA graduate.