Dual
degree programs are one of PCOM’s assets, and this is the first in a series of
interviews with my classmates that are currently pursuing a graduate degree in
addition to his/her DO degree. These
people are superstars—to be able to handle the DO curriculum, another graduate
program, and still have time to sleep is laudable. My first interview was with
Courtney, who is completing her second year as an MBA student at St. Joseph’s
University (just down City Avenue) while completing the remainder of her
didactic curriculum at PCOM.
Why
did you decide to pursue a dual degree at PCOM?
I
think that business is an area that should be included more in the medical
curriculum in general, and I really wanted to start my medical career being
well-versed in the area of business. I had no training in business prior to
beginning the MBA. I also knew that my goal has always been to own a private
practice and I refused to be yet another physician who tries to start a
business without knowing anything about business. And finally, having an MBA
opens up many new opportunities in the areas of health care administration –
most of which are not available to you if do not have an MBA.
How
has your academic schedule changed? What
is your course schedule like for your MBA?
My
second year at PCOM was spread out over a two year period. My medical
curriculum was adjusted in the following way: All systems based courses I took
in the 2010-2011 school year (or as I like to call it, 2nd year). My
OMM, PCS, and completion of my Medical Law course (which counted as an MBA
course at SJU) took place during the 2011-2012 school year (or as I like to
call it 2nd year 2.0).
My
business curriculum throughout this time was as follows:
Summer
2010 – 4 courses with 2 per 6 week summer session
Fall 2010
– 2 courses
Spring
2011 – 2 courses
Summer
2011 – 2 courses with 1 per 6 week summer session
Fall
2011 – 2 courses
Spring
2012 – 2 courses including the final capstone course and graduation day on May
12, 2012
All
of the business courses are evening classes and usually happen once per week
(meaning that during fall and spring, you have two nights of class each week).
In the summer time, each course happens twice per week since the time frame of
the course is so much shorter. That means that during the first summer, I had
class 4 nights a week and twice a week during the 2nd summer.
As
far as what classes we actually take, the program curriculum has changed just a
bit since we started. But in general, we took classes in Accounting, Finance,
Economics, Marketing, Statistics, Information Systems, and ended the MBA with 3
courses that tie all of these elements to health care specifically (including
the Capstone Course).
How
has this changed your study schedule?
Well,
it has its pros and cons. Multitasking is even more necessary than before. You
have to still stay on top of classes and exams at PCOM while completing
countless group projects, papers, and assignments at SJU. The demands can be
very different, so learning how to manage them is key. I had to be very rigid
with attending classes at PCOM in order to keep up. I did not have time in the
evenings to make up lectures AND study because I had MBA classes to worry
about. So I had to go to class to allow afternoon time to study and attend
meetings, go to MBA class, and many times continuing studying after that. I had
to make sure that ALL study time was used and not wasted. But a pro of the
situation is that when you reached that point of being sick of studying for one
degree, you could always switch over to the other, allowing yourself a break
from one, but continued productivity.
What
is the best thing about the dual degree track?
One
of the best things has been creating new relationships with classmates of mine
whom I may never have gotten close to if we hadn’t decided to do an MBA. We see
each other at least twice a week, and it’s been great to bond with them. It
definitely makes you an even more impressive candidate for residency. The
ability to complete two very difficult degrees at once speaks volumes about
your ability to multitask and get things done.
What
is the worst thing about the dual degree track?
More
school work (obviously). And realizing that all the classmates that you started
your medical school journey with, will very quickly become your superiors and
you won’t match or graduate with them. That part is kind of tough.
When did
you take Step 1 of your Boards?
I
took Step 1 of my Boards on December 16, 2011. This was halfway through my 2nd
year 2.0. I think this was a great decision because I had already completed all
of my systems based courses in the 2010-2011 school year and had completed the
sacral/pelvic term of OMM (very high yield on Boards) during the first term of
2011-2012. The only thing that made it difficult is that I never had a time
where I could just stop doing school and study. I was always in school. Even
still, I am glad I did not wait until the end of 2nd year 2.0 to
take it because it is hard to have that task hanging over your head any longer
than you have to.
How
do you plan on using your degree after you graduate PCOM?
Well,
I plan to use the business savvy to understand the changes that are facing
health care today. I will use it to understand all the business decisions that
affect me directly as an intern, resident, and attending including, but not
limited to: budget decisions of hospitals, coding, billing, hospital turnover,
length of stay, strategic planning of hospitals, etc. I also will eventually be
working towards the goal of private practice, a goal that will make me an
entrepreneur and business owner.
For more information on the DO/MBA program, click here.
