BAPA: Interview with Almir Karamović, FACHE
Huzeir Kurpejovic
Almir Karamović, FACHE, is a board certified healthcare professional living in the Detroit area. He received his bachelor’s degree in health services administration from the University of Detroit Mercy before earning his Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan. Currently, he works as a Senior Associate for PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he supports clients in operational transformation.
Can you describe your occupation, including your title, industry, duties, and the impact that your actions have in your field?
I’m a management consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)’s Health Industries Advisory practice. I mainly focus on providers, including health systems and physician enterprise. Occasionally, I do work for life sciences organizations. I lead and support client engagements focused on finance and operations turnaround as well as digital and tech implementation. My duties include organizing our engagement teams, creating work plans, and executing the delivery of services to clients. My impact is in the form of cost savings; I help our clients reinvest in sustainable business models and advance to new levels of capabilities.
How did you get your start in your industry?
During and after the war in Bosnia, I was often sick. I was very fortunate to be cared for by people that left a positive impression on me and encouraged me to consider a career in medicine. Long story short, when I started working in hospitals, I learned of my limitations with tremors and had to pivot from a traditional career in medicine to healthcare business management. I was fortunate to be working with managers who gave me business-oriented projects that prompted me to change my academic studies, pursue internships, and develop relationships with business leaders to learn from them.
What steps have you taken over the years to advance in your industry?
Steps that helped me advance were taking risks as well as investing in a mentor and mentoring others. Additionally, when imposter syndrome hit me hard, I found comfort in learning about my ancestors and the history of the Illyrian peninsula; it reminded me that we come from a long line of people who are resilient and resourceful, which fostered confidence for me. I also pursued therapy. Counseling has been transformative for both my professional growth and personal well-being, and I’ve come to understand how certain protective behaviors that helped our community survive hardship can sometimes limit us in today’s context. Working with a therapist has helped me recognize these inherited patterns and develop healthier approaches to managing stress. This objective, professional perspective has been invaluable in helping me navigate between “being Bosnian” and modern workplace demands, ultimately making me more resilient and effective in my role. On that same note, going to the gym has helped me care for myself and feel better, resulting in me performing better at work.
How has working in consulting strengthened your connection to the Bosnian/diaspora community?
Working in healthcare consulting has deepened my connection to the Bosnian community in an unexpected way. Sometimes, as Bosnian professionals achieve success, they may unintentionally distance themselves from the community, perhaps due to time constraints or shifting social dynamics. However, my consulting experience has positioned me to serve as a bridge. When I connect with successful Bosnian professionals through my work, I can relate to their professional journey while maintaining strong community ties. This has allowed me to facilitate meaningful connections between accomplished Bosnian leaders and our broader community, ensuring our collective success strengthens rather than fragments our community.
What aspects of your industry have you made more accessible to the Bosnian community?
Networking in my industry is a very valuable skill. It has helped me in more ways than one, and I have learned how important and powerful it is to connect with others. I think this translates seamlessly into our culture; our communities are centered around connection and coffee. I’ve been fortunate enough to meet some really great professional contacts and mentors who have helped me upskill and advance in my professional career. This is something I value, and as a result, I try to support others as a way of paying it forward. I’m always open to grabbing coffee if you happen to be in Detroit—or even better, if we are back home in BiH!
What has been a memorable project for you, and what did it teach you?
My very first project at the firm was with a major for-profit health system based in Tennessee. I had to do what’s called “a legal entity rationalization.” This can look different for different clients, but basically, my objective was to develop a list of all the different legal entities that the health system owned. This opportunity was memorable for me; I had to quickly learn how to use Alteryx, a system for data analysis that I had not previously used. What was even more challenging was becoming comfortable with the rigor of working styles of the senior leadership team; they were much more experienced and educated than me. Most importantly, I learned that sometimes, you have to fake it ‘til you make it!
What advice do you have for Bosnian-American professionals who want to join your industry and succeed like you?
I encourage everyone to consider a career as a healthcare professional since the world needs more healers and problem-solvers. It is well-known that our community comes from a long line of pain, and we have seen the effects of unhealed trauma all too well. As Bosnian-American professionals, we have been given a fruitful opportunity in the US to bring about positive change to our community while honoring our families.
Additionally, the business side of healthcare is rewarding; there is the opportunity for problem-solvers to make a large impact, especially when it comes to increasing the quality of care, reducing costs, and increasing accessibility to certain resources. My advice is to not forget who you are and where you come from. No matter which industry or prestigious firm you work at, we’re all from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Whether you are Muslim, Catholic, Orthodox, Jewish, or Roma, svi smo Bosanci.
