McGovern Medical School faculty earn Healthcare Leadership MBA

A cohort of six faculty members from McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston successfully earned their MBAs through the Healthcare Organization Leadership Executive MBA program, an innovative initiative sponsored by Harris Health System.

UTHealth Houston’s graduates are part of the first Harris Health cohort to complete the program, designed to deepen participants’ understanding of health care management and leadership.

Equipping health care professionals with critical business and leadership skills, the program emphasizes collaboration across disciplines by bringing together professionals from various fields such as medicine, nursing, law, human resources, information technology, and finance.

Graduates gain a comprehensive understanding of management concepts and strategies, preparing them to navigate the complexities of health care in both the public and private sectors.

UTHealth Houston’s inaugural class

• Thanila Macedo, MD, associate professor in the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging
• Manickam Kumaravel, MD, professor and Memorial Hermann Chair in the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging
• Joseph Lucci, MD, professor and director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology within the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences
• Colleen Rodriguez, MD, associate professor in the Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine
• Kunal Sharma, MD, associate professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine
• Hashim Zaidi, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine

“Being part of the first class of graduates has been a fascinating experience and a truly unique opportunity,” Kumaravel said. “It allowed me to deepen my understanding of health care, especially local health care systems, from a broader perspective. Going back to school in a formal setting after starting medical school in 1988 felt both refreshing and challenging, and it’s something I’ll always value.”

Kumaravel also noted the camaraderie within the program.

“Interestingly, none of us at UTHealth Houston knew we’d be classmates until we saw each other at the inaugural session — it was a pleasant surprise,” Kumaravel said. “The most enriching part was blending with colleagues from Harris Health and Baylor College of Medicine, which allowed us to share experiences and learn from each other.”

For Sharma, the program provided an opportunity to enhance leadership skills while fostering collaboration.

“It was an honor to embark on this educational and professional journey and to hopefully pave the way for future cohorts,” Sharma said. “Perhaps what I value most is how the program provided opportunities to build networks and relationships with affiliated faculty, staff, fellow students, and industry professionals.”

Lucci shared his enthusiasm for the program’s impact on his career and personal growth.

“The program gave me a different perspective on medicine, the business of medicine, health care policy, and the impact of health care on the U.S. and global economy,” Lucci said. “I intend to use the skills acquired through the program to help advance the mission of UTHealth Houston and help all those around me to be more successful.”

Kumaravel added, “The experience was absolutely worth it, and I’ll cherish the memories and lessons learned for years to come.”