Following a Passion for Medicine and Business

Becoming a Physician Executive by Earning the MD/MBA Dual Degree

This Q&A has been edited and condensed.

Where are you from?

I’m from Cumming, Georgia.

Where did you earn your bachelor’s degree?

I graduated in 2022 with the Highest Honors from Emory University in Atlanta with a Bachelor of Science in Biology.

Why did you decide to pursue an MD/MBA?

Medicine is a multifaceted discipline that extends beyond clinical care. Despite our goal of providing quality, compassionate and accessible care, the economics of healthcare negatively influence the medical profession. To address the rising cost of care, strategically organize our healthcare workforce, deal with pharmaceutical companies, address legislative policy and understand insurance issues as well as other administrative duties, we need doctors who have a foundation in business administration. For me, acquiring the skills of a physician executive is the right decision and I know an MD/MBA will make that dream possible.

What led to your choosing Smith as the business school at which to earn an MBA?

I was drawn to the Smith School for its well-known faculty. The business school has nearly two dozen professors who are among the top 2% most-cited scholars and scientists in the world. I wanted to thrive in an academically driven environment and Smith was the answer.

Smith and the University of Maryland School of Medicine partner annually to offer the Deans’ MD/MBA Scholarship of $32,000 each to three outstanding students.

How has being one of the recipients impacted your opportunity to get this dual degree?

Acquiring an MD in the U.S. can be expensive and the same is true for an MBA. I knew pursuing both degrees would be a costly endeavor so I wanted to be at an institution that would invest in and believe in me. When the Robert H. Smith School of Business admissions team notified me about being awarded the Deans’ Scholarship to help cover the cost, I was ecstatic!

It has provided significant financial relief, enabling me to focus on my studies and professional development rather than worrying about how to pay for it. However, the scholarship extends beyond financial assistance. Smith’s investment in my education is a vote of confidence in me and my future.

What did a day at Smith look like for you as you completed the first leg of your MBA coursework?

We were allowed to organize our classes in either an online, in-person or hybrid format. Since I was enrolled in business courses and working on a medical research project at the same time, I chose to take my MBA classes online. I had classes in the evenings at the start of each week to allow time for the research project earlier in the day. My classes began at 6 p.m. and ended by 10 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays.

This gave me a lot of flexibility. I could engage with course content from the comfort of my home and participate in class discussions. I joined live class sessions and collaborated with my classmates through virtual platforms.

What are your expectations for your career? What are your goals?

I plan to specialize in a field I am passionate about and be a leader within and outside the hospital. I hope to position my practice, the hospital, or the hospital network I am a part of, as a beacon of innovative healthcare. This includes integrating cutting-edge technology, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and emphasizing patient-centered care. I aspire to improve patient outcomes without compromising the quality of care. This would involve developing efficient healthcare delivery models that balance cost, accessibility and excellence in care.