Grace College Online Launches Orthopaedic MBA Degree to Develop Local Talent Pipeline

The Grace School of Business is pleased to announce it is launching a new Orthopaedic MBA program in May 2025. Located in the Orthopedic Capital of the World®, the one-year hybrid program will pair students with Fellowships at local orthopaedic companies, where they will gain practical skills and graduate ready to make a valuable contribution to the orthopaedic industry.  The program’s first cohort has space for 12 students.

“This is a huge opportunity for those in the area who want to enter the orthopaedic industry as well as those currently working in orthopaedics with a desire to pursue more specialized education,” said Dr. Jeffrey Fawcett, dean of the School of Business at Grace. “The Orthopaedic MBA program combines a strong business education with Fellowships at multi-billion dollar global enterprises, giving students a world-class opportunity, so we expect the application process to be competitive.”

The 39-credit hour program includes nine general MBA courses online. The orthopaedic-specific courses, “Orthopaedic Foundations,” “Orthopaedic Anatomy & Physiology,” “Global Medical Device Regulation” and the “Orthopaedic Scholar Institutes” will meet in person on Fridays at the Grace College campus. The institute courses will focus on professional development, including panel discussions with industry experts, plant and facility tours as well as soft-skill development for orthopaedic culture.

Monday-Thursday, students will work two six-month paid Fellowship rotations at local orthopaedic companies. These placements will be arranged through the interview process according to the skills of the student and the needs of the company.

“Fellowships serve as invaluable pathways, not only for the individuals involved but also for organizations,” said Andrea LaBarbera, vice president,  global talent and engagement at Zimmer Biomet. “Aspiring individuals will be able to immerse themselves in real-world experiences, foster skill development and ignite a passion for the industry. For businesses, these Fellowships will offer a fresh perspective, innovative ideas and the chance to cultivate future leaders.”

Zimmer Biomet is one of 99 medical device and technology companies in Northeast Indiana that altogether employ more than 17,000 people. The industry cluster represents 50% of the global orthopedic market for total joint replacements. Zimmer Biomet and DePuy Synthes, both located in Warsaw, Indiana, accounted for a combined revenue of $15.5 billion in 2022 alone.

According to Grace College School of Business faculty, they have never seen industry partners so excited about a Grace College initiative. This includes Dr. Allyn Decker, V.P. of Operations and Engagement at OrthoWorx.

“OrthoWorx is excited to partner with Grace College on the rollout of this innovative graduate program,” said Decker. “We believe that initiatives like this are critically important for developing the local talent pipeline that our orthopaedic industries need in order to stay competitive and that our region needs to remain the Orthopedic Capital of the World®. Students will not only receive excellent academic preparation, but also practical skill-building opportunities and hopefully rewarding local job opportunities.”

Decker served as the program director for Grace’s former Orthopaedic Regulatory and Clinical Affairs (ORCA) graduate program from 2011 to 2017. In those six years, the program graduated more than 100 students, many of whom now work for local industry.

“The possibilities in the Orthopedic Capital of the World® are plentiful,” said Dr. Drew Flamm, president of Grace College. “We are blessed to be located in this thriving community, and we are thankful for the unique opportunity this program presents to prepare students to make Christ known in the orthopaedic industry.”

The program is open to those who will have completed an undergraduate degree with a 3.20 GPA. To learn more about the Orthopaedic MBA program at Grace College and the requirements to apply, go to online.grace.edu/programs/orthopaedic-mba/.

Photo attached: (left to right): Dr. Allyn Decker, vice president of operations and engagement at OrthoWorx, Bob Vitoux, president and CEO of OrthoWorx, Dr. Jeffrey Fawcett, dean of the Grace College School of Business, Melissa Chappell, assistant professor of management at Grace, and Dr. Rick Koontz, chair of the business department at Grace, at the reception for the Orthopaedic MBA program’s orthopaedic partners on Tuesday, Dec. 19.