Alum Alex Hunter shares how Trulaske provided the foundation for an impactful career in healthcare management

 “Who we are as professionals is an extension of who we are as people.” It’s a simple principle that has helped Alex Hunter build a thriving and impactful career in healthcare management. It’s also one that he credits in large part to his Midwestern education. 

After growing up in St. Louis and Dallas, Hunter attended high school in London and had planned to study at the London School of Economics. A nudge from his father, however, who wanted him to pursue what Hunter described as a more “grounded” education, led him to the University of Missouri’s Robert J. Trulaske, Sr., College of Business.

Hunter earned his BSBA from Mizzou in 1983. Along the way, he picked up the proverbial “Midwestern work ethic,” which has served him well throughout his career. As a managing partner at Premier Inc., Hunter provides tech-driven solutions to healthcare providers across the country, helping them address rising costs and workforce shortages, promoting financial stability and improving patient care.

Healthcare management is a field that requires constant adaptability, Hunter said. Just as the electronification of medical records and the shift from independent hospitals to large health systems have reshaped the industry dramatically over the past decade, Hunter predicts that the integration of AI in clinical settings will similarly transform patient care in the years ahead. By reducing the time physicians spend on documentation and administrative tasks, AI has the potential to free clinicians to focus more fully on patient interaction.

“AI is going to fundamentally change not only clinical diagnosis and how we access care, but also how care is delivered,” Hunter said. “Its ability to advance the promise of healthcare is significant, and at Premier, we are prepared to help realize that potential.”

As he looks toward the future of healthcare management, Hunter is also looking for ways to fill his own company’s ranks with future innovators.

“We’re looking to refine our campus recruiting, and I’ve got my eye on Trulaske,” he said.

In addition to recruiting, one of Hunter’s favorite ways to engage with Trulaske is by helping develop meaningful programs and training for students that align with real-world needs. 

“I’ve spent time talking with the dean about the kinds of programs and training that would be valuable from a healthcare perspective,” Hunter said. “What’s been most energizing is the dean’s and faculty’s willingness to collaborate with the business community to create programs that are relevant to the future and impactful. That commitment extends to the students, who can actively engage and follow that guidance.”

Balaji Rajagopalan, dean of the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business, said that the engagement of alumni like Hunter helps the college continue to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving workforce.

“With Alex’s input, we’re developing a deeper understanding of how to prepare our students to innovate in tomorrow’s healthcare landscape,” Rajagopalan. “We are so grateful to Alex for sharing with us his time, insights and expertise, which have truly been invaluable.”

While helping to shape training, supporting the college financially and serving on the advisory board are all meaningful ways to give back to Trulaske, sometimes supporting your alma matter can be as simple as reminding people where you went to school.

“Being a brand ambassador for the school is important,” Hunter said. “Where I work, everyone knows I went to Mizzou, but it’s not just about Saturday afternoons at Faurot Field. We also have a responsibility to advocate for the lessons we learned while we were here.”

Hunter pointed to experience-centered learning opportunities at Trulaske like internships and study abroad as being critical to helping students prepare for life after graduation, both professionally and personally.

He also emphasized the importance of encouraging students to push themselves beyond their boundaries in order to grow. It all adds up to Hunter’s belief that our professional and personal selves are one in the same.

“My time at Mizzou, and particularly at Trulaske, was foundational in shaping my career and helping me move forward,” Hunter said.

Mizzou’s Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business prepares students for success as global citizens, business leaders, scholars, innovators and entrepreneurs by providing access to transformative technologies, offering experience-centered learning opportunities and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset.