Ashwin Issac chose Cornell Public Health to translate his healthcare background into a consulting career. “The skills I gained at Cornell are exactly what I needed,” he attests. Today, as a Risk and Compliance Consultant with KPMG’s forensic advisory practice, Issac’s clients include pharmaceutical, healthcare technology, and insurance companies, as well as hospitals. He monitors regulatory compliance with guidelines from the Department of Health & Human Services’ Office of Inspector General and investigates potential fraud and bribery cases, in alignment with the Foreign Corrupt Practice Act, HIPAA, and other applicable state and federal laws and regulations. “What I really like about this job is that every project is different,” he notes. He also enjoys working with interprofessional and global teams. “When we need certain people for a project,” he says, “we pull them in.”

Issac’s public health training supports many aspects of his corporate consulting work, including his understanding of the social determinants of health. For example, when pharmaceutical companies offer low-cost or no-cost drugs to consumers, he audits their practices to make sure their products reach those most in need. “I’m holding healthcare and pharma accountable,” he explains.

One of the main advantages of working with a large consulting firm, Issac says, is that consultants can explore topics and industries that interest them. Those with public health interests, for example, might collaborate with international non-governmental organizations by getting involved with projects related to humanitarian crises and emergency preparedness.

Every day, Issac draws on skills he learned from Cornell Public Health, from evidence-based approaches and systems thinking to communications skills. “Everyone in the consulting field loves when you have systems thinking skills,” he stresses, “and nothing happens in consulting without clear, precise communication.” Issac also points to the value of his foundation in public health policy and comparative healthcare systems from Cornell for keeping up with relevant international regulations. “I need to understand healthcare policies in different countries to audit companies and their vendors across the world,” he says. Issac is looking forward to learning how to integrate new artificial intelligence skillsets in his work in coming years, to stay relevant in the field. “I plan to keep up with the changing environment.”

Written by Audrey Baker