Meet M'Kayl Lewis, MBA, MS, NBC-HWC, Class of 2023 EMBA/MS in Healthcare Leadership alum. Expand to read more about M'Kayl.
Q: As a non-clinician, what was the value-add in being in a class with other clinicians?
A: As a non-clinician, I found it incredibly valuable to hear the perspectives of clinicians throughout the program. Their expertise in the field is essential to solving healthcare problems. While they can shed light on the patient experience, it is critical that we also understand their typical workflow and the barriers they face daily to delivering the best care they can. In short, clinicians are key stakeholders who must be included in the discussion.
Q: Tell us about your pre-Cornell experiences, including your work, prior studies, and achievements
A: I completed my bachelor's degree in biology (pre-med) at Birmingham-Southern College and played collegiate soccer. After graduating from college, I decided between attending medical school in Texas and staying in Birmingham, Alabama, to work and gain more patient experience. I chose to stay in Birmingham and join a startup, Pack Health, A Quest Diagnostics Company, where I was the fifth team member to be recruited. Over nine years, I gained immense experience in the start-up world before Quest Diagnostics acquired Pack Health.
Q: Why did you choose Cornell? What part of the program was most attractive to you?
A: I chose the program for a few reasons, but one of the first was the focus on the dual degree program (EMBA/MS). Gaining access to an exceptional network within the Cornell community was incredibly attractive. However, what solidified my decision was attending information sessions and engaging in discussions with current students. Their insights and the sense of support and community I felt were precisely what I sought and aligned with my values.
Q: What work or career goals do you want to achieve during or post the EMBA/MS program?
A: The acquisition of my company marked a significant turning point in my career. I plan to continue developing my corporate expertise at Quest Diagnostics, and my first career change is moving from an operational role to a strategic, product-focused role. I aspire to launch another healthcare-focused start-up or be in an advisor role within a start-up community.
Q: In what ways have you been able to apply your learning from the EMBA/MS in Healthcare Leadership program to your work?
A: Everything I learned in the program has been relevant to my career. The ability to draw from what I learned and apply it to my daily work has been a valuable aspect of the program. You can take learnings from a weekend class and directly use them on Monday at work. One of the most rewarding yet challenging courses hosted by Dr. Elena Belavina made me re-think how I approached problems in my Operations-focused role. In addition, the strategy course taught by Dr. Vrinda Kadiyali helped me prepare to shift into a strategic solutions role.
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