Alon Bergman

Alon Bergman
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Ethics & Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
  • Assistant Professor of Health Care Management

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  • HCMG3530 - Medical Technology

    Medical technology represents a $500 billion global market that sits at the intersection of engineering, medicine, and business. This course provides a comprehensive examination of the economic forces and business strategies that drive this dynamic industry. We explore how medical devices move from innovation through commercialization, analyzing the unique market structures and economic incentives that shape success and failure. The medical technology sector operates under distinctive constraints that differentiate it from other healthcare markets. Each innovation must navigate complex regulatory requirements, demonstrate value to multiple stakeholders, and develop sustainable business models within healthcare delivery systems. Through this course, students will gain insight into how companies evaluate market opportunities, develop pricing strategies, and build evidence to support technology adoption. A central focus will be understanding the economic relationships between key players: device manufacturers, healthcare providers, insurers, regulators, and patients. We examine how payment systems influence technology development, how market dynamics affect innovation incentives, and how successful companies build competitive advantages. Special attention is given to emerging technologies and new business models that are reshaping traditional medical device markets. Through case studies drawn from real market experiences and and hands-on analyses, students will develop practical frameworks for evaluating medical technology opportunities and understanding this vital sector of the healthcare economy.

  • HCMG8530 - Mgmt & Strategy in Med Devices

    Successful medical devices are an amalgamation of creative and innovative thinking, clinical expertise, and engineering know-how that endures intense regulatory and reimbursement scrutiny. This course will provide a foundation for understanding the nuances of the medical device industry. It will cover topics ranging from device design and discovery, software as a medical device, applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning, regulatory issues, marketing, reimbursement, management, and strategy. Classroom activities will be supplemented with optional tours of hospitals, research and manufacturing facilities, and hands-on demonstrations of devices. Though the course is intended primarily for MBA students, it will be open to medical and engineering students as well as to hospital house staff.

  • HCMG8990 - Independent Study

    Arranged with members of the Faculty of the Health Care Systems Department. For further information contact the Department office, Room 204, Colonial Penn Center, 3641 Locust Walk, 898-6861.

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Latest Research

Molly Candon, Alon Bergman, Amber Rose, Hummy Song, Guy David, Joanne Spetz (2023), The Relationship Between Scope of Practice Laws for Task Delegation and Nurse Turnover in Home Health, Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 24 (11), pp. 1773-1778. 10.1016/j.jamda.2023.07.023
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How to Avoid Burnout for Shift Workers

Just-in-time scheduling is great for employers but exhausting for employees. A new Wharton study offers scheduling alternatives to help firms reduce turnover and retain staff. …Read More

Knowledge at Wharton - 3/28/2023
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