Partner Sites


Logo BusinessBecause - The business school voice
mobile search icon

Why Doctors Need An MBA

As healthcare management becomes ever more important, more doctors are enrolling in business school. BusinessBecause talked to six physicians who did an MBA to find out why

Tue Sep 28 2021

BusinessBecause
A growing number of doctors are applying to MBA programs to gain a business education and improve their managerial skills. But how does having an MBA degree benefit your career as a healthcare professional?

Doctors choose to enrol in business school for many reasons. Some of them are asked to take on managerial responsibilities within the hospital. A study published on the Social Science and Medicine journal finds that hospitals positioned higher in the US News and World Report‘s Best Hospitals ranking are disproportionately led by physicians, not by professional managers.

Other doctors want to keep working in the healthcare sector but in a different role, for example working as consultants in pharmaceutical firms. They need to gain management skills and business expertise to use along their medical knowledge.

BusinessBecause talked to six physicians to find out more about the reasons they decided to go to business school and how they benefited from an MBA.


Tim Peachey, Warwick Business School, NHS medical director

Dr. Tim Peachey is Divisional Medical Director at the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust, running eight clinical directorates with a budget of around £100 million.

Trained in Anaesthesia and Intensive care, Tim completed the Distance Learning MBA program at Warwick Business School: “The most valuable thing about doing an MBA is that it has a very diverse curriculum”, he says, pointing to subjects like operation management, strategic planning, and people management as being especially useful.

“But the most important things I have learnt are in finance and accountancy: for a doctor involved in the management of an NHS hospital it is essential to have a good understanding of accountancy.

“Otherwise it can be quite difficult to follow what the finance director is saying and why. You need to speak their language, and explain clinical things to them in terms that make both financial and clinical sense. Before the MBA, I felt I wasn’t fully conversant."

In his career, Tim has come across about eight doctors with an MBA degree, and he says he knows four doctors who are currently enrolled in MBA programs.

“But the most interesting thing is that doctors coming out of their training now are more and more interested in going into management, and therefore consider doing an MBA”, he adds.


Read: 3 Management Skills Every Healthcare Leader Needs

739f1e331c1509543f8ed6772c588f8a92842c2d.png

(c)SeventyFour via iStock


Jason Koh, Kellogg School of Management, Internationally-known orthopedic surgeon

Dr. Jason Koh is chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and director of the Orthopedic & Spine Institute at NorthShore University HealthSystem.

He’s an adjunct professor of Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University, clinical professor at the University of Chicago, and chief medical officer at medical devices company Marrow Access Technologies.

Why an MBA?

I wanted to enhance my ability to drive change in healthcare.  I had been a chair of a large department for several years, and had a vision for an transforming the way we delivered care. I knew it would be important to be able to communicate and execute on that vision effectively, which meant developing skills (operations, finance, leadership) that went beyond medical training. 

I had also been involved with several innovative medical startups, and knew that a better understanding of business would allow me to be more engaged beyond my clinical and scientific expertise in bringing these therapies to patients.    

Finally, I thought an MBA would provide me with some fresh perspectives and opportunities. I wanted to interact with classmates from different industries who could inform and educate me.


19f4395cbf98289b088dd33e8b080ca7852675dd.jpg


How have you benefited?

My MBA has provided me with powerful tools to understand, analyze, and interact with the world; and it’s also an important credential that has opened doors to new opportunities. 

As a department chair, it’s helped us achieve dramatic growth while implementing innovative processes for high value efficient patient care. I was able to propose and help create an orthopedic specialty hospital, which has successfully grown to the point where after less than two years we are expanding from 12 to 20 operating rooms.    

As an entrepreneur, the MBA helped our companies reach FDA approval and market launch for two new devices for tissue healing and regeneration. We are rapidly gaining traction and have interest from several strategic companies. 

Finally, the MBA has provided me with a new network of friends and colleagues that provided me with great experiences and opportunities for personal growth.   


Syed Jafri, Imperial College Business School, Surgeon

Dr. Syed Jafri was a surgeon before he completed the full-time MBA at Imperial College Business School. He is now working in a multinational healthcare company, where he has both clinical and managerial responsibilities. On the one hand, he is involved in the support of clinical clients and product development; on the other, he explores business opportunities and sits on a number of committees to decide where the company should invest.

He decided to do an MBA because he wanted to have more responsibilities and explore different areas of his job: “When you’re a doctor you concentrate in a specific area, but you forget that there is an entire world outside it. Twenty years ago doctors could afford to be just doctors, but now the managerial side of our job impacts on every other aspect of it”, he explains.

Syed was searching for a one-year program because he wanted to re-enter the market really quickly. Imperial College Business School was both close and convenient: “I visited the school and found that people were open, warm and academically capable. The MBA director was extremely positive but also realistic about what the MBA could do to my career”, he says.

“Imperial also is a scientific and technologically sympathetic school. Many other schools are tailored for people who work or want to work in investment banking or management consulting: at Imperial, this was not the only option."

What are the benefits of an MBA? “The MBA allows you to study different aspects of business in a very short period of time. Not that many courses allow you to learn so many things within one year. You may not be an expert in finance, or in strategy, or in human resources and organizations, but you know enough to know what to ask and to spot when people are making wrong guesses”.


Snigdha Gorana, INSEAD, Physician & Healthcare Entrepreneur

48c244a0486a65ead85889a37f9bf1ae103c82a5.jpg

Snigdha Gorana has launched a variety of healthcare programs and startups in her native India, focused on elderly care and healthcare education.

Why an MBA?

While I loved creating impact at the patient level, my clinical skills didn’t prepare me to create systemic level impact. And, while working in a leading tertiary care hospital in India, I witnessed the impact of good management in providing better care and improved outcomes. 

Moreover, my journey as an entrepreneur furthered my intention to gain relevant business perspectives to enable making healthcare accessible and affordable. An MBA seemed a great tool to break from the silos of clinical knowledge and gain cross-functional business knowledge necessary to achieve this goal.

How have you benefited?

At INSEAD, the cross-pollination of ideas during discussions with my incredible peers and the intellectual frictions facilitated by professors have pushed me to expand the horizons of rigorous business thinking.

What has stood out this year, though, is our pursuit of creativity, adaptability and resilience in the midst of a pandemic. The school, staff and students have strived to make the MBA experience seamless and bring the community together. It is my conviction that such exceptional learning in this opportune time has and will help us in our careers.


Anita M. Kelsey, Duke University Fuqua School of Business, Experienced Cardiologist

6847560587ca288c85ae73413b90f45aea521561.jpg

A cardiologist for over 20 years, Anita M. Kelsey is vice chief of noninvasive cardiac imaging at the Duke University Health System.

Why an MBA?

As I assumed roles in hospital management positions, I found myself in board rooms with administrators who spoke a different language—the language of business, not medicine. I recognized that I needed to learn that language in order to communicate effectively. That is what prompted me to pursue an MBA. 

I chose Duke Fuqua because it had a great reputation with strong collaboration with the Duke Health System, making it an ideal place for me to learn the business of medicine.

The Weekend Executive MBA Program lasts fewer than two years, and offered integrated on-campus and distance learning opportunities prior to the COVID pandemic. At the time I applied, I was working in Connecticut and would travel once a month to Durham, North Carolina for classes, followed by distance learning on an alternating biweekly schedule. 

How have you benefited?

My MBA has given me tools to use to optimize the management of staff, improve the efficiency of our health system, and use decision modeling to address complex problems. 

I have a strong foundation of knowledge in strategy that helps me plan for the next steps as our health systems navigate the ever-changing landscape of health care in the United States, from fee for service to pay for performance models. 

I have a better understanding of accounting, giving me the vocabulary and understanding to communicate what is needed to provide excellence in cardiac care in a fiscally responsible manner. I can perform detailed quality analysis of our cardiac imaging systems and I have a deeper understanding of how information technology can impact our system of care.

While many physicians have the people management skills to run their clinical divisions, they frequently lack the skills in operations management or strategic planning. With my Fuqua MBA, I am well equipped to enter the boardroom and plan the next steps for our health system.


Seemit Dhage, Nottingham University Business School, Surgeon & Healthcare Management Consultant

ddfd1219da61530411eacfe3515b445eaaf370f3.jpeg

Dr. Seemit Dhage worked as a surgeon for the NHS for five years and earned an MBA from Nottingham University Business School, before starting his career in management consulting.

He covers health in a leading management consulting firm, after having been a senior consultant for other two firms.

Initially, he decided to do an MBA to acquire some management skills as a doctor: “About five years ago, people in the NHS were discussing whether doctors should manage the service: I thought it was a good opportunity, and decided I needed to equip myself with management skills”, he explains.

“The intention was to go back to medicine after the MBA, but then I got interested in management consulting, and ended up switching career”.

“This practice is really common in the US where doctors often come out of medical school with an MD and an MBA. In the rest of the world, this is more unusual.”

As a management consultant, he worked for both the public and private sector. He did projects for the NHS, evaluating the performance of hospitals and how it could be improved. In the private sector he worked mainly on pharmaceutical medical devices, doing projects on market entry and product positioning.

For Seemit, the private and public sectors are very different. “The fundamentals of management consulting are the same, but the pressure demands are higher in the private sector.”

He says that doing an MBA was “quite essential” because it taught him how to think out of the box: “The MBA is not just a degree, but an actual learning process. With group sessions, projects, and the skills you acquire, you start thinking in a way that is not linked to your profession”.

For doctors who want to get into management consulting, he recommends a general MBA and not a health-focused one: “when I’m talking with management consultants, I want to be able to think like them”, he says.

However, five years of experience as a doctor definitely helped him: “I could prove I already knew my industry really well”.

As a doctor, Seemit was involved in emergency cases: he was used to long hours, and being in pressurised situations. Did that change with his new role? “The long hours are still there, but the pressure is much less”, he says, adding that he brought his work ethic and dedication to management consulting. “Interacting with people made me conscious about my responsibilities”. 


Next Read:

Top MBA In Healthcare Management Programs | Compared


This article was first written in July 2011 and updated in September 2021.

Student Reviews

Duke University Fuqua School of Business

Student

Verified

31/10/2023

On Campus

Supportive atmosphere

The professors at Duke university exhibit exceptional commitment to the success and well-being of their students by ensuring their academic growth and fostering a supportive social atmosphere. Moreover, the entire community is recognized for its amicability and inclusiveness.

Maxwell

Verified

30/03/2023

On Campus

Diversity

The people or the students are without a doubt Duke's greatest asset. While all students are driven to succeed, they are also enthusiastic about a variety of hobbies. You run across a huge lot of diversity. It is the ideal example of a school with well-rounded students and the ideal balance of campus life in a metropolis.

Anabelle

Verified

27/02/2023

On Campus

Happy to school

All I could ever hope for is Duke University. That really epitomizes the "work hard, play hard" philosophy that elite colleges frequently pursue. Even though you'll have a lot of schooling to complete over the week, it's simple to keep focused because all of your friends are putting in similar amounts of effort. Many events taking place on and around campus on the weekends provide a great way to unwind. The combination of demanding academics and traditional college fun strikes the perfect balance.

Monica

Verified

27/02/2023

On Campus

Good schooling

Living, eating, learning, and developing who you want to be as an adult are all fantastic at Duke. I participated in student athletics, and I couldn't have asked for a better interaction with the faculty and other students. I appreciate all of the help I get from the Duke community more than anything. Furthermore, the teachers take the time to get to know you, and the lectures are diverse and demanding (if you do the same). I'd give it a 10 out of 10.

Aline

Verified

26/11/2022

On Campus

Beautiful School, Nice Classes

DU remains one the greatest and best universities that I have ever stepped in. The school is beautiful and neat. The classes are spacious and also very nice. I enjoyed attending my Lectures in those lecture halls. I also loved the Lecturers because of the good work they did. The university also has very good dorms that are given to students on first come first serve basis and they are affordable

Student

Verified

29/06/2022

Blended

Amazing experience

I received my B.S. in Biology and B.A. in Global Health with a minor in Chemistry from Duke University. I was able to grow as a student, scientist, and global health advocate with the help of my friends, professors, and other mentors I met along the way. A lot to learn if you look and ask, a great place to learn for those who want to learn.

Student

Verified

29/06/2022

Blended

whirlwind of growth and change

An amazing 2 years, with covid and everything else happening Duke has been a place of growth for me. The courses , classes were one of a kind, online and on campus. But the valuable lessons learned in the classes are irreplicable. The students are amazing here, so much diversity , I had no problem fitting in. The teachers are down right brilliant and so helpful. Don't be afraid to ask them anything. Graduated with my MBA with Duke and now my future awaits.

Student

Verified

29/06/2022

On Campus

One of the best for Business students

Graduated with an MBA. The classes were very insightful and engaging. The staff are very easy to deal with. The teachers and students, are truly amazing people. Grateful to all the people I've met along the way at Duke. I've learnt a great deal that will help me in my future endeavors. The campus itself is a marvel, it is beautiful.

Student

Verified

16/06/2022

On Campus

The university campus is awesome

I graduated with a masters degree in Religious Studies from Duke University. One thing I really liked about the university is its huge campus. It is spread in a large area with a lot of greenery and also have the facilities of reading rooms for single person also. My department building was very well taken care of. The library is immensely populated with books for all your needs. The faculty is very nice to students. The classes are equipped with latest technology to cater the needs of students. The University also provides room rentals for international students. They are very well maintained and priority is given to the International students for a comfortable stay there. There are weekly events conducted by the University as well as Student clubs for the entertainment of students. Anybody can take part in them and show their talents. I enjoyed my degree and I graduated in 2021 and was very happy that I had graduated from a reputed University.

Dhanush

Verified

12/07/2024

On Campus

Program Flexibility and Vibrant Campus Life

Duke University is renowned for its rigorous academic programs and vibrant campus life. The university offers a diverse range of majors and research opportunities, supported by world-class faculty. What I particularly liked about Duke was its strong sense of community and the wealth of extracurricular activities available to students. The campus is beautiful, with top-notch facilities and a supportive atmosphere that fosters both personal and academic growth. Overall, I would highly recommend Duke University for its excellent educational offerings and strong alumni network. If you're looking for a place that challenges you academically while offering numerous opportunities for personal development, Duke is an excellent choice.

RECAPTHA :

ea

86

1f

29