The Pepperdine Graziadio Business School Spring 2025 opening ceremony will be held on Saturday, April 26th, 2025 at 10:30am at the Pepperdine Malibu Campus Alumni Association. The event brings together alumni, faculty, family and friends to celebrate outstanding leadership of academic achievement and honor.
This year, the Graziadio School will recognize John Figueroa (MBA '97) with an honorary doctorate for his outstanding contributions to the healthcare industry and society. Figueroa is a visionary leader with 35 years of healthcare experience, specializing in pharmacy services, hospital supply chain logistics and the broader healthcare ecosystem. He is currently a senior advisor to the Secretary of Veteran Affairs, bringing strategic insights to one of the nation's most important healthcare institutions.
Figueroa was the founder, CEO and executive chair of CarepathRx, a company dedicated to innovative pharmacy solutions for hospital health systems focused on specialty, infusion and home drug care. Under his leadership, CarepathRx successfully completed major deals with Anthem Healthcare and Cigna.
Previously, he was CEO and executive director of Genoa Healthcare, the country's largest behavioral health pharmacy and telep-pianism provider. During his tenure, he led the company's expansion, dramatically improving the quality of care for patients with mental disorders, while transforming behavioral therapy drugs to a national level. Due to his leadership, Genoa was sold to United Health Group.
Figueroa also served as chairman and CEO of Apria Healthcare, where he oversaw the home infusion and respiratory therapy business. He played a pivotal role in selling his home injection business to CVS Caremark and his breathing business to Owens & Minor. Additionally, he is the CEO and executive of Omnicare at Fortune 400 Healthcare Services Company, achieving record revenue growth and leading key initiatives in long-term care.
Early in his career, he took on multiple leadership roles at McKesson Corporation, and ultimately served as president of the US Pharmaceutical Group, the world's largest pharmaceutical distribution business.
Figueroa was a member of the commissioned officers, rangers, 3rd Infantry Division and the 12th Special Forces Group. His military service includes command and operation in the United States, Europe and Central America.
A dedicated advocate for higher education, he is a prominent visiting faculty member, a board member of Graziadio, benefactor of Graziadio Business School, chair of the healthcare business and founder of the Graziadio Future of Healthcare Symposium. He is a recipient of the Pepperdine Renowned Alumni Award, received the Graziadio-Inspired Leadership Award and was named in 2020 as an outstanding graduate in healthcare.
Figueroa graduated from the University of California in Los Angeles, where he was a well-known military alumnus. He won an MBA at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School in 1997.
