21 May iCare Selected as FIELD Global Capstone Project Partner for Harvard Business School
iCare, a leading health maintenance organization (HMO) and insurance provider in the Philippines, was recently selected as one of the host companies for Harvard Business School’s FIELD Global Capstone, a course designed to give MBA students immersive, real-world business experience in unfamiliar settings.
As part of the program, iCare welcomed a team of Harvard MBA students to Manila for a one-week on-the-ground experience focused on the realities of healthcare access in the country. The students, part of a broader group deployed across 14 countries with over 900 participants in the Capstone, worked closely with iCare to explore innovative ways to deliver affordable, responsive, and sustainable healthcare amidst the persistent challenge of medical inflation.
“We were honored to share the Philippine healthcare landscape with Harvard Business School students,” said Geronimo V. Francisco, President and CEO of iCare. “We welcome fresh insights and perspectives from future global leaders, especially as we continue to deliver affordable and effective HMO and healthcare solutions that respond to the real needs of our clients. Their visit helped highlight how emerging market health systems can adapt to economic pressures without compromising care.”
The FIELD Global Capstone enables Harvard MBA students to learn by doing. It is designed to strengthen and develop their ability to manage and operate effectively in a variety of business contexts. The students worked with iCare’s team remotely in the months leading up to their arrival, then conducted field research, interacted with consumers, and presented their business ideas to company leaders during their immersion in Manila. The goal is to propose new approaches to healthcare and insurance access in emerging markets.
“We wanted the students to witness the everyday barriers Filipinos face in accessing healthcare and see how our model helps bridge those gaps,” said Dr. Mark Roland F. Malanay, Chief Operating Officer of iCare. “We value the fresh insights and perspectives brought by the Harvard MBA students, as they help us continuously improve how we deliver affordable and responsive healthcare. This experience challenged them to ground their ideas in empathy, creativity, and real-world complexity.”
Despite economic growth, the Philippines continues to face significant challenges in healthcare access. Insurance penetration is among the lowest in Asia, with many citizens still relying heavily on out-of-pocket spending. iCare’s value-driven approach, anchored on affordability, client responsiveness, and sustainable cost management, is helping reverse these trends and making quality healthcare more accessible to more Filipinos.
“Being selected as a FIELD Global Capstone Project Partner affirms our role as an HMO that values learning, global dialogue, and practical innovation,” said Atty. Gideon V. Peña, Chief Commercial Officer of iCare and Project Manager for the initiative. “This was more than just an academic exchange. It is a platform to explore practical, forward-thinking solutions that benefit real people.”
Harvard Business School acknowledges that this important learning experience would not be possible without the support of its Project Partners.
According to Professor Joe Fuller, Faculty Chair for the FIELD Global Capstone, the program is a vital component of Harvard Business School’s curriculum. “We are extremely grateful to iCare and all the FIELD Global Capstone Project Partner organizations for all they do on behalf of our students,” said Professor Fuller. “The students benefit immeasurably from this experience, and we hope the partner organizations do as well.”
Through its participation in the FIELD Global Capstone, iCare continues to demonstrate its forward-thinking approach in the healthcare and insurance sectors. The company welcomes fresh insights, engages with the next generation of global leaders, and champions solutions that empower more Filipinos to say yes to better health.
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