Association of MD/MBA Programs
C/O Merilee Perkins
46 Centerra Parkway, Suite 330
Lebanon, NH 03766
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Association of MD-MBA Programs
The Association of MD/MBA Programs is a non-profit organization, and your contribution is tax-deductible (#26-2997028).
A receipt will be provided for all contributions for IRS purposes.
Maria Young Chandler launched the MD/MBA joint degree program at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) in 1997, enabling medical students to obtain both their business and medical degrees simultaneously. The mission of the program is to train a select group of physicians in the aspects of business who will lead our community and the healthcare industry toward a solution to the incredible challenge we are faced with -- providing patients with quality care that is financially and ethically responsible. She believes wholeheartedly that physicians of the future need business skills to be better leaders as well team members.
In 2003, MD/MBA program directors of the (then) 39 dual degree programs in the U.S. began meeting annually in order to build ties, share experiences, hone the mission of the programs, and to help new programs to prosper from lessons learned. The meetings were held at rotating universities to highlight their MD/MBA program. Program directors shared details of their programs and invited dual degree speakers to discuss their chosen career paths. MD/MBA students from the programs attended with their directors. Much enthusiasm was evident and, organically, these annual meetings emerged into weekend-long conferences with increasing attendance that have been supported by their hosting universities.
2011 Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
2010 Boston University, Boston, Massachusets
2009 Wright State School of Medicine, Raj Soin College of Business, Dayton, Ohio
2008 AMSA National Head Quarters, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
2007 Baylor College of Medicine, Rice University Jones School of Business
2006 Dartmouth Medical School, Tuck School of Business
2005 Emory University, Goizueta Business School
2004 Jefferson Medical College, Widener University School of Business
2003 University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Paul Merage School of Business
i.) To improve the coordination and advancement of leadership and management training and medical education that will equip physicians for leadership positions
ii.) To provide an educational home and forum for MD/MBA joint degree programs, serving as a source of information and expertise to universities, programs, students, graduates, residents, fellows,
healthcare professionals, and the public.
Evidence of the need for these dually-trained physicians is becoming more apparent. According to Hospitals & Health Networks, physicians hold leadership positions in more than 50% of the
time in hospitals, managed care settings, and group practices, without any business training. As such, the Association of American Medical Colleges recommends that future physicians must acquire
leadership skills, be able to analyze financial data and negotiate contracts. The U.C. Commission on the Future of Medical Education also urges medical schools to emphasize business skills. They
believe that "trainees today should also have a sophisticated understanding of business management" and "doctors must exhibit business acumen if they want to land a job."
Currently, over 54 MD/MBA programs exist across the U.S. with an estimated 500 dual degree graduates per year. We are currently gathering data from the programs in
order to count the current numbers of students and track graduates’ residency and career paths. Projects in progress include residency/MBA tracks and executive fellowships for
graduates.
"I pursued the MD/MBA program out of a desire to be able to straddle clinical practice with administration and effect positive change. I had no idea that the one-year investment would fast forward my career by 10-15 years. Less than two years out of residency, I was promoted to Association CMO over Quality, Patient Safety, and Risk Management for LAC+USC Medical Center. Thank you Dr. Chandler for the opportunity and being an advocate for us."
-Eric K. Wei, MD, MBA,
Assistant Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine,
Keck School of Medicine of USC, Assistant Medical Director
"I am currently the medical director of our emergency department in Berkeley. I'm one of the two senior partners who help run my physician group called Berkeley Emergency Medical Group. We have 45 physicians and 10 PAs, and our group staffs two Sutter Health emergency departments in the East Bay area as well as one urgent care. I'm also on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Emergency Medicine."
-Brian Potts, MD, MBA
Medical Director, Alta Bates Emergency Department
Emergency Physician, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
“I plan to pursue a career in clinical medicine, healthcare delivery reform, and system management. In the U.S., healthcare delivery is ineffective. I strive to change that reality—to advance access to vulnerable populations, to improve outcomes, and to create a sustainable financial model. For reform to be realized, pioneers must be at the frontline. An MBA is the practical application of my interest in improving healthcare delivery; in conjunction with my medical degree, it will position me to close the gap between delivery research and clinical practice. Moreover, the dual-degree will equip me with broader leadership, management, and communication skills, positioning me to be a more effective team member and a greater force in improving healthcare.”
-Brendin Beaulieu-Jones, MD-MBA Candidate,
Class of 2019, Geisel School of Medicine