Q&A with Scheller College of Business’s Two Newest Soon-to-Be Doctors.
Scheller College of Business and Morehouse School of Medicine have partnered to offer a joint, five-year M.D./MBA degree. Students enroll and complete their first three years as medical students at Morehouse School of Medicine before entering Georgia Tech’s Scheller College of Business (SCOB) for a rigorous one year, three-semester, MBA program prior to returning to MSM to complete their fourth year of medical studies.
Recognizing that being a great physician isn’t just about medicine and patient care – these days it’s increasingly important for doctors to have strong business acumen as well. The students in this M.D./MBA program will become the kind of practitioners who can create and sustain thriving medical practices. These students will become the kind of entrepreneurial physician the field needs – medical professionals who provide quality care that is both financially and ethically responsible.
This program increases Scheller College’s dual degree offerings that include dual MBA and M.S. or Ph.D. degrees with Georgia Institute of Technology’s College of Computing, College of Design, and College of Engineering.
Allison Rowell (BS Management 2001) and Ogechi Nwoko are the first two students pursuing this unique dual degree and are in the entering 2018 full-time MBA class with a 2020 graduation date for both degrees. These students received full fellowships that were jointly funded by Scheller College of Business and Morehouse School of Medicine. We caught up with Allison and Ogechi to hear about their time at Morehouse, find out what they hope to learn at Scheller, and to see if they could tell us “about that pain in our back.”
Ogechi Nwoko
Undergraduate university:
Xavier University of Louisiana
Previous work experience:
I worked briefly as a clinical research coordinator for a contracting company that conducted Phase 1- 4 clinical trials for pharmaceutical companies.
Why Morehouse School of Medicine?
I’ve always been drawn to healthcare. Growing up, some of my closest role models were physicians. I wanted a career that would not only be a challenge, but would allow me to make an impact in my community.
I was sold on Morehouse the moment I visited the campus for my interview. As soon as I walked through the doors I was greeted with well wishes from passing students that created a sense of welcome that made me feel as if I was already a part of the MSM family. My instincts told me it was the perfect environment for me.
Why an MBA?
I chose to pursue an MBA because the more I learned about medicine the more I realized that I wanted to have an impact that reached beyond my community. Learning, and eventually practicing medicine is an honor and a privilege. I want to create lasting changes in healthcare/medicine that will improve certain aspects of its delivery.
What are you most looking forward to in the MBA program?
I’m looking forward to gaining new perspective. My clinical knowledge has grown exponentially in the last three years. I am excited to take what I learn in business school and apply it in the healthcare industry.
Why are you excited about Scheller College of Business at Georgia Tech?
I am excited about joining the robust community of brilliant minds at Georgia Tech. I am getting the opportunity to learn with people who are changing the world through technology and innovation!
What would you tell others about applying for the dual degree?
I think that motivated and creative students who are looking to broaden their impact on medicine should strongly consider applying to the dual degree program.
How will you manage your time?
I am coming into this program with very little background in finance or marketing, but I have strong background in maximizing time and, most importantly, patience!
What do you hope to gain from your MBA?
I hope to gain more insight on what I want my career to look like long term. I want to return to medicine with a new perspective as I enter the post-graduate portion of my training.
Allison Rowell, RN BSN
Undergraduate university:
B.S. Management, Scheller College of Business Georgia Tech – 2001
B.S. Nursing, Mercer University - 2010
Previous work experience:
Emergency Registered Nurse (RN) at Grady Health System and Cardiovascular/Intermediate Care RN at Piedmont Hospital; and Middle School Teacher
Why Morehouse School of Medicine?
I chose Morehouse School of Medicine because of their social mission of serving the underserved and their commitment to eliminating health disparities. As a Registered Nurse (RN) I cared for patients from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, but my passion has always been in taking care of the underserved and disadvantaged. Prior to medical school, I worked as an RN in the emergency department at Grady Health System. I also volunteered at a free primary care clinic for uninsured patients and served as an inner-city hypertension outreach volunteer. In these settings, I had the privilege of providing compassionate medical care to low-income, indigent, homeless, psychiatric, and custody (prisoner) patients. With my previous experience and desire to continue to work with underserved patient populations, Morehouse School of Medicine was the perfect choice for me to receive my medical education and training.
Why an MBA?
I want to leverage my MBA training at Scheller with my unique clinical background to develop solutions to assist healthcare organizations achieve greater resource efficiency without sacrificing the quality of care. As a clinician, I will be able to apply my understanding of medicine in the context of cost-effective, value-based healthcare delivery systems. The healthcare industry is constantly evolving, but at the most fundamental level, healthcare occurs at the interface between the patient and the provider. As healthcare delivery systems become more complex and the healthcare market shifts towards value-based care, organizations recognize the advantages of placing clinicians in leadership roles. My M.D./MBA training will prepare me to pivot into this type of role after gaining experience as a practicing physician.
What are you most looking forward to in the MBA program?
I am most looking forward to developing and cultivating new relationships with other students in the ONE MBA Scheller family. I am also very excited about taking advantage of the incredible networking and social opportunities, building my MBA network, Business Communications, and finally learning (understanding) Statistics!
Why are you excited about Scheller College of Business at Georgia Tech?
I’m a “Double Jacket”, as I was a former Scheller College management undergrad student in the 1990s. When I learned that Morehouse School of Medicine and Scheller partnered to create the M.D./MBA program, it was music to my ears. In the 90s, the electronic medical record (EMR) was not widely used. Today, the EMR is a fundamental part of improving the quality of healthcare delivery, increasing patient safety, decreasing medical errors, and strengthening the interaction between patients and healthcare providers. Scheller continues to provide a competitive advantage by offering immersive cross training in business and technology that is readily transferable to the healthcare industry.
What would you tell others about applying for the dual degree?
If you are seriously thinking about pursuing an MBA at some point in your career, I would strongly advise you to consider taking advantage of this opportunity while you are still in medical school. In the M.D./MBA program, you are able to complete a full-time MBA program in one year (three semesters) instead of two. If you pursue an MBA later, you will do it while working and juggling a variety of responsibilities. As a medical student, you are used to being in class and studying, so you can take advantage of that momentum during your MBA year instead of returning to school after being out for several years. There are fellowship/scholarship opportunities that will significantly help with the cost of your M.D./MBA. Finally, you will graduate medical school with two degrees and an extremely valuable skill set in today’s value-based healthcare system - making you a unique residency applicant.
How will you manage your time?
I use a combination of Bullet Journaling, the Pomodoro Technique, and Google Calendar to help manage my time. The Bullet Journal is a life organization tool that can literally become whatever you want it to be. Essentially, it’s a planner that helps you focus on mindfulness and productivity while allowing you to completely adapt it to your needs at any given time. The great thing about Bullet Journaling is that you just need a notebook and a pen to get started - it’s so simple. The Pomodoro Technique is a time management technique where you structure your work in short, focused sessions (25-30 minutes) and take a five-minute break before the next session. When you have completed four sessions, you can take a longer break. This technique has been shown to enhance productivity and focus and it really helps keep me on track. Finally, I use Google Calendar for appointment and event reminders.
What do you hope to gain from your MBA?
The MBA is a practical degree that will allow me to develop both the hard and soft skills necessary to be a successful physician leader. It will help me develop the analytical skills required for effective communication and negotiation and a comprehensive understanding of business and the healthcare system. The team-centered approach and focus on cultivating leadership skills during my MBA training will help me develop into a more effective leader as I begin practicing as a physician.
As eloquently stated by Allison and Ogechi, an MBA can be the differentiator for any M.D. in the present and future value-based healthcare delivery system. By offering this dual degree Morehouse School of Medicine and Scheller College of Business are preparing students to provide high-quality healthcare in a smart, efficient way. Just as Allison and Ogechi are the trailblazers in this new program, after its completion they will be well positioned to become trailblazers in the medical world.
The primary goal of Scheller College of Business is to be globally recognized for defining the innovative business school of the 21st century. Achieving this goal relies on our ability to attract top students and top-tier MBA talent, which is directly dependent on the fellowships we can offer to applicants. If you are interested in supporting the M.D./MBA fellowships, please contact us online or call 404.894.8722.