Alyssa Cook, Vice President of Events at the Business Healthcare Society, is redefining what it means to bring purpose, passion, and professionalism into healthcare events. Her recent orchestration of the annual flagship academic gathering, Sell or Cell, stands as a powerful testament to how leadership in event planning can foster not just connections, but also transformation. This year’s theme, Entrepreneurship in Business Healthcare, went far beyond a buzzword it became a living conversation, a spark for future changemakers, and a space where ideas met action.
Alyssa Cook approached this year’s event with a clear mission: to bridge the gap between innovative minds in the healthcare industry and the students preparing to lead its future. By focusing on entrepreneurship, the event created a platform where real-world healthcare challenges were met with real-world solutions. Alyssa Cook understands that healthcare isn’t just about medicine it’s also about systems, structures, and the business acumen required to move them forward.
At the heart of Sell or Cell was a compelling panel discussion, where a group of accomplished professionals Tarek Sardana, Amy Friesen, Tuan N., and Michelle Weger shared unfiltered insights from their personal journeys. Their contributions weren’t rehearsed success stories; they were honest accounts of building, failing, pivoting, and persevering in an industry that desperately needs innovation. Alyssa Cook curated a space where vulnerability wasn’t just accepted it was celebrated. In doing so, she created a deeply human experience that resonated with both panelists and attendees.
What set this event apart wasn’t only the speakers or the theme it was the environment of intentionality that Alyssa Cook cultivated. She made sure that every detail contributed to the greater goal: inspiring students to envision themselves as catalysts for change. From the structure of the networking session to the curated guest list, her leadership created a ripple effect of engagement. The students didn’t just listen they participated. They didn’t just meet professionals they imagined themselves among them.
Alyssa Cook credits much of the event’s success to her dedicated events team Deborah Goatcher, Liyyah Atcha, and Lena Draca. Under her guidance, their collective effort turned an idea into an experience. Leadership, for Alyssa Cook, isn’t about the spotlight it’s about the ecosystem. She knows that great events are built by great teams, and she’s intentional in lifting up those who help bring her vision to life.
Community support also played a meaningful role. Sponsorships from ARTIZEN KOMBUCHA and Happy Goat Coffee Co. weren’t just names on a banner they were active participants in the day’s success. Alyssa Cook recognizes the importance of bringing local businesses into academic spaces. It’s a small but significant move toward a more collaborative and community-centered healthcare future.
It’s clear that Alyssa Cook doesn’t see events as standalone moments. She sees them as chapters in an ongoing story a narrative that challenges norms, encourages dialogue, and dares participants to think differently. Her work at the Business Healthcare Society is about much more than organizing gatherings; it’s about crafting meaningful experiences that leave people changed.
In a world where healthcare is often viewed through rigid lenses, Alyssa Cook is helping reframe the conversation. She’s not afraid to ask tough questions. How do we equip students with not just knowledge but the courage to act? How do we cultivate a culture of innovation that’s inclusive, ethical, and sustainable? And most importantly, how do we ensure that the future of healthcare is built by those who care deeply and think boldly?
Alyssa Cook embodies a new kind of leadership one that merges strategy with empathy, logistics with vision. Her work reminds us that events can be more than moments they can be movements. And in the ever-evolving intersection of business and healthcare, leaders like her are essential.
As the year closes, Sell or Cell will be remembered not just for its excellent execution, but for its impact. Alyssa Cook has planted seeds of inspiration that will grow far beyond that single day. She has created momentum, not just for the students who attended but for a broader conversation about what healthcare can and should become.
Looking ahead, there’s no doubt that Alyssa Cook will continue to be a driving force in shaping how we talk about, organize, and ultimately transform healthcare through entrepreneurship. Her ability to bring people together, foster meaningful conversations, and turn vision into action is rare and exactly what the sector needs.
For those watching from the sidelines, Alyssa Cook’s work is a reminder: meaningful change often starts with a conversation and someone bold enough to host it.
