Health Care UST MBA
Meet Luis Garcia
"Health care in the U.S. is in the middle of a deep crisis and unforeseen challenges call for strong leaders to positively impact the future of our patients. The Health Care UST MBA offers the structure and educational background to prepare professionals for the difficult times to come."
I am the second of four children, born and raised in Mexico City. My father owns a busy surgical practice in Mexico and my mother is the clinic CFO. All my siblings are professionals: my older sister a lawyer, the younger an economist and my youngest brother is also a surgeon.
During my summer and winter breaks, I worked for my dad as a handyman in his hospital and slowly I worked my way up the ladder to eventually become his surgical assistant before I even started college. I started medical school in Mexico City in 1989. During a summer family trip to the U.S. and Canada in 1991, I became interested in U.S. health care. I did my last year of medical school at the University of Miami in Florida and then returned to Mexico to do a year of community service.
In 1996 I started surgical residency at the University of North Dakota and in 2005, I joined MeritCare--now Sanford Health--in Fargo, ND. My practice includes trauma, vascular, bariatrics and advanced laparoscopic surgery. In my short career, I have had some administrative roles: as a clinical associate professor at UND I helped bringing the residency program to my hospital and am currently the site director for the program. I helped to develop the SCIP for our health care system and was nominated vice-chairman for the Committee of Trauma in the state of ND. This is where I realize my M.B.A. will not only be helpful, but necessary.
Health care in the United States is in the middle of a deep crisis that is expected to worsen in the years to come. Unforeseen challenges call for strong leaders to seek changes and reforms that will positively impact the future of our patients. This unique situation requires direct participation of physicians and health care providers unlike ever before.
The Health Care UST MBA offers the structure and educational background to prepare professionals for the difficult times to come. The education that I have received has provided me with a sense of security in an uncertain and competitive health care business world. Teachers offer a high level of commitment and their expertise has exposed me to a very strong academic schedule.
With regional and national recognition, the Health Care UST MBA offers a creative and effective learning experience for students that hold full-time jobs. My classmates have a variety of professional and personal backgrounds that create a very fulfilling intellectual environment. Academic excellence is achieved with innovative courses that offer flexibility for busy people like me.
Pursuing an M.B.A. at UST has opened doors of opportunity in territories that I never thought I would reach and has allowed me to develop the skills that will be very much needed in influential future leaders. St Thomas creates knowledgeable business people, ethical human beings and strong leaders; all qualities needed in the challenging future that health care will face.
Some of my colleagues ask me if I would consider doing it again, and my response is simple: hands down.
