Overview

The Department of Health Management and Economics serves as the academic core for health policy, administration, and economic strategy at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.

We specialize in training the next generation of healthcare leaders and policy-makers, bridging the gap between medical expertise and management science. By leveraging our proximity to the prestigious Ferdowsi University of Mashhad—a national leader in economics and management—we provide a unique interdisciplinary environment that prepares graduates to navigate the complexities of modern health systems.

History and Evolution

The department has evolved significantly since its inception to become a center of academic excellence:

• Origins: Initially part of the broader “Health Management” department, our faculty established its distinct identity through a major structural separation in 2015, resulting in the independent Department of Health Management and Economics.
• Growth of Education: Our educational programs expanded rapidly, commencing with the Master’s in Health Education (2010), Master’s in Healthcare Administration (2011), and Master’s in Health Economics (2015).
• Advanced Research & Internationalization: We launched PhD programs in Healthcare Administration in 2017. Furthermore, we have successfully implemented specialized programs for international students, initiating Master’s level international courses in 2017 and doctoral-level international programs in 2021.

Professional & Strategic Scope

Our department provides high-level expertise, consultancy, and research aimed at optimizing the health sector. We focus on:

• Systemic Optimization: Analyzing and improving performance indicators in both public and private health sectors.
• Problem Solving & Planning: Supporting the national health system in strategic planning, identifying organizational bottlenecks, and implementing evidence-based management solutions.
• Resource Management: Applying economic models to health services to ensure efficiency, quality assurance, and universal health coverage.
• Evidence-Based Research: Designing and executing research projects tailored to the specific needs of the Iranian health sector, bridging theoretical management science with clinical realities.

Educational & Research Mission

Our mission is to achieve the highest standards of education and research to elevate the national health system. We are committed to:

• Cultivating Leadership: Equipping students with the professional responsibility, ethical commitment, and technical proficiency required to manage complex healthcare organizations.
• Modern Integration: Applying cutting-edge management and economic technologies to train future decision-makers and health economists.
• Academic Vision: To become the foremost center in Iran for the training of healthcare managers and economists, recognized for both academic rigor and practical impact.
• Translational Research: Delivering applicable training that directly helps solve operational and strategic challenges within the country’s healthcare infrastructure.