Largest M.D/M.B.A. Cohort Begins Their Dual-Degree Journey
Article Summary
- The Miller School welcomed 30 dual-degree, M.D./M.B.A. students to the program.
- The four-year program provides students with knowledge of the business side of health care.
- The business aspect of the program blends seamlessly with the Miller School’s NextGenMD curriculum.
This week, the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and the University of Miami Patti and Allan Herbert Business School welcomed 30 M.D./M.B.A. students, the largest cohort in the program’s history.
The four-year program equips students with skills to manage health care organizations, innovate in medical practices and influence policy. As the health care landscape continues to evolve, the value of physicians with both medical and business expertise will only continue to grow, said Sabrina Taldone, M.D. ’15, M.B.A. ’15, director of the dual-degree program and associate chief medical officer of ambulatory services at UHealth — University of Miami Health System.
Scenes from the M.D./M.B.A. Orientation
Intersection of Medicine and Business
“Today, the complex intertwining of medicine and business is undeniable, and the physician that masters these two worlds has the ability to shape the future of health care in innovative and impactful ways,” Dr. Taldone said. “This dual-degree path is more important than ever to provide leadership for the future of health care.”
The program integrates seamlessly with the NextGenMD curriculum, allowing students to develop business skills and knowledge in health care management without sacrificing the opportunities and experience gained at the Miller School.
“This degree is critical not only for their own wellbeing, but it’s also critical for their patients’ wellbeing,” said Steven Ullmann, Ph.D., academic director of the program and professor and director of the Center for Health Management and Policy at Miami Herbert Business School. “We’re teaching these students to be able to excel in what they’re doing professionally and ultimately be there for their patients and understand how they are affected by an organization’s business decisions.”
For the next three weeks, the students will be in daily classes at Miami Herbert Business School, learning the basics of business administration before beginning the medical school portion of their journey with the rest of the M.D. class of 2028 on August 8.
“You’re coming to us with lots of great experience, with very high GPAs and from great schools across the country like UAB, USC, Northwestern and many others,” Karoline Mortensen, Ph.D., associate dean of business programs at Miami Herbert Business School, told the students at orientation. “This is a highly competitive class and we’re thrilled that you’re part of the program.”
Alexandra Debure, a UM graduate who majored in health management and policy, said she’s excited to get started and connect with her fellow dual-degree students.
“I always wanted to go to medical school, but when I heard about the M.B.A. path, and that it was a four-year program, I was really interested,” said Debure. “I’m looking forward to learning about the business side of health care and the private practice setting.”
M.D./M.B.A. Class of 2028 Stats
• Number of students: 30
• Average MCAT score: 515
• Average GPA (cumulative): 3.83
• Average GPA (science and math): 3.78
• Demographics: 57% men, 43% women, 47% Florida residents
• Student birth countries: Azerbaijan, China, Philippines, Venezuela, United States
• Undergraduate majors represented: Biochemistry, biology, biomathematics, biomedical engineering, biomedical science, business, chemistry, economics, microbiology/bacteriology, molecular biology, neuroscience, public health, sociology
• Undergraduate institutions: University of Miami, Barry University, Boston College, Brigham Young University, Clemson University, Florida State University, Johns Hopkins University, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Saint Anselm College, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Central Florida, University of Florida, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Notre Dame, University of South Florida, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wake Forest University, Williams College