From leading on campus to a career leading in healthcare

2023 Indiana University Northwest alumnus Bilal Asghar shares his success, career as an operations manager

When most people think of a healthcare career, they might picture a nurse discussing symptoms with a patient or a surgeon performing a procedure. However, working in healthcare doesn’t always mean becoming a doctor.

For Bilal Asghar, who graduated from Indiana University Northwest with a degree in health services management in 2023, a healthcare career looks a bit different.

“I wanted to make a difference in patients’ lives, but I realized early on my interests were more aligned with leadership, strategy and operations rather than clinical work,” Asghar said.

Rather than getting a medical degree, Asghar is using his IU Northwest education to make an impact as a healthcare administrator. Today, he serves as an operations manager in the department of surgery at the University of Chicago Medicine.

He’s deeply involved with business development, recruitment and patient care delivery.

“The most rewarding part of my job is helping create systems that allow physicians and care teams to focus on providing high-quality care to patients,” he said.

His overarching goal is to make healthcare more efficient, equitable and accessible for communities. The University of Chicago’s medical center is nationally ranked in 10 adult specialties.

The University of Chicago is a prestigious institution, and Asghar didn’t slide into his role overnight. It took lots of preparation, even at the undergraduate level. He cites IU Northwest’s smaller class sizes and exceptional professors as being instrumental to his success.

“I worked on multiple research projects with professors, which gave me a strong understanding of what it takes to sustain and grow a business,” he said. “I’ve taken the principles of those research projects and am applying them today in the hospital setting.”

His campus involvement was also a big driver of his success, especially during his graduate work at Columbia University.

“I served as president of multiple campus clubs at IU Northwest, which strengthened my leadership and organizational skills. I was also involved in research and community service,” Asghar said. “These experiences, along with strong mentorship from faculty, helped prepare me for graduate studies.”

Now, Asghar is aiming to give back to the campus community. In March, he returned to his alma mater to talk with current students and share his success story in the healthcare field.

“It means a lot to come back and connect with current students. I remember being a student, hoping someone could shine some light on opportunities outside of what I was accustomed to,” he said. “If sharing my experience can help even one student feel more confident about their future, then it’s worth it.”

He encourages students to take advantage of the opportunities available to them. As an undergraduate at IU Northwest, Asghar took on leadership roles, worked directly with professors and volunteered in the community — all of which helped him hit the ground running as a master’s student and healthcare professional.

“With the right mindset, mentorship and willingness to pursue opportunities, you can build a path that takes you far beyond what you initially imagined,” Asghar said. “I’m grateful for the experiences and support I received, and I’m excited to see the next generation of IU Northwest students pursue their own goals.”