Why is a Doctor Getting an MBA?

I’m a doctor. I love my job. Being a physician is a wonderful privilege. When I reflect on why I wanted to become a physician my ambition centered on helping people. In one of my essays to medical school I mentioned an experience working in a factory where I met new immigrants too overworked to take care of their health. Finding solutions to the problems patients face in the healthcare motivated me to become a physician.

As I become engaged in healthcare I began to understand the important role organizations play in the delivery of health. One summer during medical school, I worked at the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC). The MOHLTC is the nerve center of healthcare in the province. I was working with a senior official at the time and when I asked what advanced degree she thought would make her more effective in her job she said, “Without a doubt, an MBA.” In her experience the ability to motivate people, set strategic objectives and manage limited resources was essential to her role and the future of the healthcare system.

Within the area of management, I have developed a particular interest in innovation and entrepreneurship in healthcare. I believe as physicians we bring a unique perspective to entrepreneurship. Our ethics and actions come from wanting to create value for our patients and our healthcare system. An example of this is Altitude: Healthcare Mentoring a social enterprise which aims to improve health human resources in underserved areas. The program encourages students from populations historically under-represented in Canadian medical schools to pursue a career in healthcare. Research has shown that students who are members of these populations are more likely to enter primary care, practice in health profession shortage areas and care for the most vulnerable of patients. The value that Altitude creates in healthcare is improving access to high quality care in underserved areas. Creating Altitude, a non-profit social venture, required the same skill set as starting a for-profit enterprise and while the program has been a success I still believe I would benefit from some formal training in management.

The future of medicine is bright and the opportunities for innovation, like Altitude mentioned above, are limitless. I believe an M.B.A. will help me prepare for whatever the future of healthcare brings.

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