This course will introduce several concepts related to teaming and strategizing in public health and
healthcare-related organizations. The Applied Concept Memo (ACM) allows you to reflect critically on
events, practices, or trends that you observe in the field with what you are learning in class. To complete
an ACM, you are required to (a) identify an organization or stakeholder in public health or health care,
(b) identify a managerial or organizational event, practice, or trend that is occurring in this
organization/stakeholder, and (c) critically link course contents to your observations. You can identify
the event, practice, or trend through an Internet search for articles in the news or trade magazines (e.g.,
Modern Healthcare, STAT, Healthcare Dive). The main objective of this assignment is to develop an
applied understanding of organizational behavior and industrial practices in the field that reflect some of
the concepts that we are learning in class. You may use concepts that are relevant but may not be
covered in this course as well. The secondary objective is to continuously expand your industrial
knowledge of significant trends and practices as a public health professional. You should use readings
and/or other published sources to substantiate your reflections.
You are required to submit two ACMs over the entire duration of the course (15 points each). Each ACM
should be specific to one concept to be covered in each module (i.e., one ACM for a team-related
concept and one ACM for a strategy-related concept).
your ACMs as soon as they are completed (i.e., they will be graded on a rolling basis.) ACMs should be
Use a 12-point font, double-spacing, and 1-inch margins on all sides.
Use section headers for improved readability and ensure that all relevant references are included. The ACM papers will be evaluated based on your insight and ability to link and apply
course concepts to actual phenomena. You should focus on analyzing the managerial or organizational
practice, phenomenon or trend rather than providing a detailed descriiption. A high-quality ACM is one
that identifies a significant observation in the field, provides a succinct analysis of your observations
using concepts that we have learned or beyond the classroom, reflects on what you have learned for
your future work in leading teams and approaching strategy, and is well-written.
