Zahra Bhaiwala, Ms
About Zahra Bhaiwala, Ms
Zahra Bhaiwala serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Hikma Health and has extensive experience in health economics and outcomes research, having held significant roles at Vertex Pharmaceuticals and other prestigious institutions. She is actively involved in addressing healthcare data access disparities and has a strong academic background in biological sciences and health economics.
Work at Hikma Health
Zahra Bhaiwala serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Hikma Health, a non-profit startup focused on developing healthcare data solutions for refugees. She has held this position since 2018, contributing to the organization's mission to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations. Her role involves overseeing operational strategies and ensuring effective implementation of healthcare initiatives.
Current Role at Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Zahra Bhaiwala currently holds the position of Director of Health Economics and Outcomes Research at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, a role she has occupied since 2024. In this capacity, she leads global market access and reimbursement support for the company's Cystic Fibrosis and Sickle Cell Disease/Beta-thalassemia gene therapy portfolios. Her work focuses on quantitative evidence generation studies to facilitate access to innovative therapies.
Education and Expertise
Zahra Bhaiwala holds a Master of Science in Health Economics from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She also earned a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degree in Biological Sciences and Middle Eastern Studies from Columbia University. Her educational background provides her with a strong foundation in health economics and research methodologies.
Professional Background
Zahra Bhaiwala has a diverse professional background in health economics and outcomes research. She has worked at various prestigious organizations, including Vertex Pharmaceuticals, where she served as Senior Manager and Associate Director before her current role. Her experience also includes consulting roles at TRINITY and internships at the World Health Organization and Pfizer, among others.
Involvement in Global Health Initiatives
Zahra Bhaiwala is an active member of the World Economic Forum's Global Shapers community, contributing to discussions on global health issues. She participated in the MIT Refugee Accelerator program, which played a pivotal role in the founding of Hikma Health. Her passion lies in addressing health and data access disparities, particularly for marginalized populations.