Michael Poku is an MD/MBA student from Austin, Texas, who earned his MBA from HBS and is studying medicine at Vanderbilt University. Michael says that he was drawn to HBS by the people who make up the MBA community. “HBS offers unparalleled access to some of the most impressive professors in the history of management education—true thought leaders who practice at the cutting edge of their respective disciplines,” he says. “The student body is thoughtful, driven, and diverse—ensuring an enriching environment inside and outside the classroom. HBS alumni are wonderfully supportive and always willing to assist a student.” 

Since Boston is a world-renowned hub of health care, the HBS networking and career opportunities are broad. “The Health Care Initiative and Health Care Club at HBS work tirelessly to host speaking engagements, conferences, alumni mentorships, and an array of activities to foster a rich health care experience,” notes Michael.

A number of challenges to achieving a cost-effective health care system are compounded by the certainty that the industry will continue to evolve. As a result, the insight into change management and the skills that influence organizational behavior afforded by the MBA training are crucial. 

  

Michael finds the MBA experience to be robust and firmly rooted in training leaders of general management. “HBS ensures that graduates are well rounded and well versed on various dimensions of business and management,” he explains. “The case method style of teaching puts students in the hot seat and develops critical thinking and decision-making skills.” The program, he says, emphasizes that the “acme of success is to do well by doing good. Don't look to exploit inefficiencies, strive to correct them.”

For those who are interested in entrepreneurship, the HBS curriculum is designed to provide the opportunity to start up a micro-business and launch new products and services in an emerging market. “These entrepreneurial skills, combined with the foundational hard and soft skills necessary to be a successful global business leader, come together in the first year at HBS.”