Syed Ali has always had a passion for patient care. While growing up in Columbus, Ohio, he volunteered at a local hospital with one primary goal – to put a smile on patients’ faces.
“I wanted to make them forget why they were in the hospital in the first place,” Syed said. “Looking back on it now, it’s no surprise how I ended up committing my life to the health of others.”
Soon after his volunteer hospital experience, Syed launched a 25-year professional journey with Express Scripts, starting as a patient care advocate and continuing in various leadership roles. Today, he is the director of strategic projects and optimization with Accredo by Evernorth, an Express Scripts company that collaborates with prescribers, payers and specialty manufacturers to deliver care and services to patients with chronic, complex and rare health conditions.
“The MBA program reinforced the importance of working together to solve critical issues,” Syed said. “The experience challenged me to go deeper by asking ‘why’ while equipping me with practical tools to analyze real-world business problems and develop winning strategies in management communications and human performance.”
“Some of my best days on the job are when I’m able to help people recognize how they are making a difference,” he said. “Throughout my career, I have been able to see the impact I can create when connecting them with our company’s mission.”
As Syed rose through the ranks, company leaders nominated him to take part in the Express Scripts Professional MBA program at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. Syed, who graduated in 2019, says the program opened his eyes to new forms of critical thinking.
Through his deep desire to help others, Syed is transforming health care as a change agent for the greater good.
