Tag: brain surgeon



You might think that a WashU Medical School resident in neurosurgery who assists in teaching an anatomy course for nurse practitioners and physician’s assistants, and mentors medical students interested in brain surgery, might not have time to pursue an Executive MBA degree. But then you don’t know Kathleen McCoy.

The 31 year old  McCoy who runs marathons, half-marathons, and triathlons in her spare time, just completed the rigorous 20-month Executive MBA program at Olin and was featured on the Poets & Quants website as one of the Best and Brightest of the Class of 2016. Here are a few excerpts from the P&Q profile:

Katie-McCoy-Washington-“I knew I wanted to go to business school when …” My department had a presentation from the executive leadership of the hospital on the changing face of medicine and the financial impact that new health care legislation would have on the delivery of health care. I knew that I wanted to get involved in this realm, trying to maximize the quality of health care for our patients in a fiscally responsible manner, something that an MBA would help me achieve.

Favorite MBA Courses? Macroeconomics, Business Analytics, Negotiations.

Why did you choose this executive MBA program? Washington University’s executive MBA program has a reputation for excellence and its graduates have a track record of success. I spoke with multiple alumni of the program and was impressed with the quality of the executive education as well as the importance placed on the development of leadership skills.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from business school? The biggest lesson that I learned is the importance of not only the “hard skills” of finance, strategy, etc., but also the importance of the “soft skills” of leadership, including emotional intelligence. These interpersonal skills are equally as important, if not more so, for success as a leader.

What was the hardest part of business school? Two words: time management.

What is your best advice for juggling work, family, and education? There are no tricks or shortcuts. Work hard but efficiently, make time for family, and don’t forget to occasionally take time out for yourself.

What’s your best advice to an applicant to your executive MBA program?  Don’t be afraid to try something new! I had very limited knowledge of what the world of business entailed upon entering the executive MBA program, and I encountered many skeptics who did not see the value of a physician getting an MBA.

The program has opened my eyes to innumerable opportunities that allow me to continue practicing medicine while bridging the gap between health care practitioners and the business world in the ever-changing world of health care.

What are your long-term professional goals? I want to establish and maintain a busy neurosurgical practice, while also getting involved in hospital administration in an effort to bridge the gap between health care professionals and the business of medicine. My hope is to maximize the value of health care delivered to our patients with a focus on quality improvement balanced with cost management.

Link to Kathleen McCoy’s complete profile on Poets & Quants.