We recognize the talent, drive, and dedication of Enterprises employees year-round with awards, which are a part of our employee recognition initiatives. This edition, we’re featuring the three winners of the Better Together and Heppenstall Leadership Awards. Learn more about your colleagues and the talents and accomplishments that earned them this special recognition.
Heppenstall Leadership Award: Rob Hartman
The Heppenstall Leadership Award recognizes a UPMC Enterprises leader who embraces mentorship, sets the example for people-leadership, and adds value to others because they truly value others. One leader is selected each year who works to make their team the very best by approaching work in a way that celebrates and motivates the unique and talented individuals who make up our diverse business unit.
Q: How long have you worked at Enterprises? What are some of your duties in your current role?
A: I’ve worked at UPMC Enterprises for eight years. I’m currently Senior Director of Translational Sciences, and the bulk of my time is spent performing diligence on complimentary, “peri-clinical stage” investments in life sciences, split between biotech and medtech. More broadly, I contribute to shaping investment strategy, supporting relationships with biotech- and medtech- focused VC funds, supporting deal flow and strategic projects, and exploring academic-stage opportunities in medical devices, platform technologies, and regenerative medicine in Pittsburgh and beyond.
When I started at Enterprises, I was really thrilled – I couldn’t think of a job better suited to my interests, experiences, and aspirations. I knew I wanted to find somewhere that I could pursue the intersection of academic science, health care transformation, entrepreneurship, and venture investing. I was eager to jump in trying to help some of the region’s most promising academic teams move their technologies toward commercial applications. I had the distinct privilege of reporting to Tal [Heppenstall] during my first few years here.
Q: What is your favorite thing about your job?
A: I genuinely love working here. My favorite thing would have to be the marriage of stimulating culture and supporting, strong team with the really exciting, meaningful work we do. Some of my favorite things I have worked on over the years were being able to drive our investment and now serve on the board for Mozart Therapeutics, working with clinicians and innovators in academic projects to define product profiles, learning from seasoned entrepreneurs in building a health care data science company, and bringing in an external sponsor for Pittsburgh Health Data Alliance.
Q: What motivates you to go above and beyond at UPMC Enterprises?
A: I have a strong conviction that what we do at UPMC Enterprises can be transformative for people, especially our patients, and for all the providers across our health care system. I am continuously inspired and motivated by my team and don’t want to let them down as we strive to deliver on our mission. Personally, I have always held that sense of duty and obligation to give my all for the success of the team. I am highly aware of the gravity of the work we do here at Enterprises – of the confidence that the system is entrusting to us. I’m always aware of the risk of failure alongside the high potential to change lives and elevate the organization. I am confident that we can do it, but it will take everything we’ve got to succeed.
Q: How does it feel to win the Heppenstall award?
A: I am grateful for my colleagues’ confidence in my nomination and that they consider me someone who fulfills this description. Over the last few years, I’ve been given the opportunity to grow as a leader, and it is truly an honor to be recognized for being the type of servant leader I esteem most.
On another level, it is an honor to earn an award named after Tal Heppenstall, as I worked under him for a number of years and learned so much from him.
When it comes to mentorship, it’s about learning from and with others and focusing on the individual and their inestimable value. Ultimately, I believe that the value of each person working here exceeds the work we do, meaningful as it is. We could achieve great business success, but if we don’t do it right – caring for, supporting, and encouraging one another, no financial success or business achievement can make up for that. My coworkers are all very special, talented, capable, giving, and diligent people. I endeavor to always learn from and contribute to the development of this group. It’s a team sport, and I am so grateful to be part of this high-caliber team at Enterprises.
Better Award: Julian Hassinger
The Better Award winner is an individual who strives to make UPMC Enterprises better through their work, collaborations, or other contributions. They embody a spirit of innovation, bring fresh ideas, and produce results that positively impact Enterprises.
Q: How long have you worked at Enterprises? What are some of your duties in your current role?
A: I started at Enterprises in October 2021. After earning my PhD in biophysics from Berkley, I realized I didn’t exactly want to be the one conducting the science anymore; I wasn’t quite a biologist, and not really a data scientist. I was in a consulting role in the life sciences for two years before I found Enterprises. It was serendipitous, but what drew me to the job was that UPMC Enterprises is at a very fun intersection of being close to the science, and making an impact with people in the UPMC system.
As Senior Associate on the Translational Sciences team, I do diligence on biotech companies broadly across the ecosystem, support senior leadership as we make investments, and align with UPMC priorities and strategy. I also am fortunate to work closely with our portfolio company Avista. I was part of the founding team and now I get to help collaborate strategically and operationally as we gear up for their first financing round.
Q: What is your favorite thing about your job?
A: In addition to what I mentioned about being at the intersection of science and development, my favorite part about my job is my team. It is just made up of really nice, excellent people. Everyone is ambitious and wants to do the best we can, but it is not for personal gain, it is very team oriented. There’s no interpersonal competition; we just all work together to try to get things done. It is really unique how team- and goal-centered we are here.
Q: What motivates you to go above and beyond at UPMC Enterprises?
A: It just harkens back to my pervious answer of having dual motivation: yes, we are trying to deliver financial returns for the system, but we are steeped in the culture of creating solutions that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Something that might happen at other VCs is unmet clinical needs driving financial returns – at Enterprises, financial returns are necessary, but having the opportunity to solve a true unmet medical need is the main driver for us.
Q: How does it feel to win the Better Award?
A: It always feels nice to be recognized for the efforts I put in, but that isn’t why I do my job. A lot of the kind words in my nomination were not only applicable to me, but could have been describing other members of our team. I’m not the only one who does this kind of work– sometimes I just happen to have the background knowledge and interest to do them. It is very nice to be nominated; to know that TSci leadership recognizes that a lot of us do things that go above and beyond to make sure things run as smoothly as possible. We are always trying to improve our process and work together to make ourselves better.
Together Award: Debashish Sasmal
The Together Award winner is an individual who works towards fostering a sense of togetherness at UPMC Enterprises through their work or other contributions.
Q: How long have you worked at Enterprises? What are some of your duties in your current role?
A: I have been part of the Digital Solutions team since Feb 2020, after I graduated from CMU. It was my first foray into health care and business; my previous background was in software development and data engineering. My role as Manager of Strategic Product Management involves evaluating opportunities and co-developing strategies by working closely with our Health System and the Health Plan colleagues while managing portfolio relationships, and supporting the DS team across product, technology, diligence, and strategy.
Q: What is your favorite thing about your job?
A: My favorite thing about my job is getting to tie it all together in a strong mission in three parts:
- Solving purposeful problems: Across Enterprises, it’s inspiring to witness everyone working on some of the most complex healthcare issues and coming together to find forward-facing solutions. And, I get to be a part of this team.
- A collaborative and supportive culture: Thanks to the collaborative nature of everyone at Enterprises and the support from Brent and his leadership team, I was involved in various opportunities across several problem areas, greatly aiding my understanding of the team and the healthcare industry.
- People: Collaborating with diverse and intelligent individuals helps us align on common goals and innovate for the future. It’s humbling to engage with knowledgeable and experienced people who offer thoughtful and nuanced perspectives.
Q: What motivates you to go above and beyond at UPMC Enterprises?
A: Ultimately, the work we do impacts patients’ lives in some way or the other. While some projects may take years to reach a single patient, the moment they experience or realize the benefit makes all the difference.
Q: How does it feel to win the Together Award?
A: It’s wonderful to receive recognition, but I believe that the “Together” award is a team achievement. Everything we’ve accomplished has been by working together. It is great to see such mutual respect and trust among all Enterprises employees, regardless of their title, team, or experience. I hope that others from my team are recognized for this award as well – if I can achieve it, anyone can!
