2015 Best EMBA: Abhi Mehrotra

Abhi Mehrotra

Abhi Mehrotra, MD

 

University of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler Business School

Abhi Mehrotra is a very busy man. Aside from pursuing his EMBA, he holds director level responsibilities in two medical emergency departments – and teaches at the university as well. Despite these commitments, Mehrotra was selected for membership in Beta Gamma Sigma for his academic prowess and participated in the school’s Entrepreneurship club. In his spare time, Mehrotra serves as President of the North Carolina College of Emergency Physicians (NCCEP) and maintains several committee and leadership roles with the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP).

Age: 40

Location: Chapel Hill, N.C.

Family Members: Wife – Hetal; children – Arian (10) and Navya (7)

Undergraduate School: The Ohio State University (and for medical school)

Undergraduate Degree: BA in chemistry and MD

Where are you currently working?

  • The University of North Carolina Department of Emergency Medicine
  • Associate Professor
  • Chief, Division of Quality and Performance
  • Assistant Medical Director – UNC Medical Center Emergency Department
  • Medical Director – UNC Hillsborough Hospital Emergency Department

“I knew I wanted to go to business school when…” I found myself presenting to executive leadership regarding the business case for operational improvement in our Emergency Department. I have always been fiscally responsible with my personal affairs. During residency while I was a chief resident, I had the opportunity to manage the residents, my peers. With these experiences and my involvement with my professional organization, it was clear that an MBA would offer additional value to my career over time. It’s always been my goal to provide exceptional care and in the most effective way within our department and profession. I have committed to being an active agent for improving our processes and for leading by example.”

“If I hadn’t gone to business school…I would have much more time on my hands and be less fulfilled!”

What are your long-term professional goals? While still remaining clinically active seeing patients, I hope to improve care for more patients by being leading within healthcare administration.

Favorite Courses: Operations, Leading from the Middle, Strategy, Marketing Management

Which academic or professional achievements are you most proud of? The professional achievements I am most proud of are:

  • While as a Chief Resident, I was honored by the Emergency Department (ED) nursing staff as the “Most Valuable Resident.” Teamwork is necessary to provide optimal patient care in an emergent setting and this acknowledgement by members of my team is special.
  • In recognition of my involvement with the specialty of Emergency Medicine, in 2009, I was honored by being named a Hero of Emergency Medicine.
  • UNC Emergency Medicine Renaissance Award – 2-time recipient. This award is voted upon by the UNC EM residents for the faculty member that best exemplifies the balance between personal and professional life.

Who would you most want to thank for your success (and why)? It sounds clichéd, but truly, I most want to thank my family for my success. I use the term family in a broad sense:

  • My parents – for their struggles as first-generation immigrants in providing opportunities for my sister and myself.
  • My wife and children – for continuous support through the long hours of residency training and establishing an academic career, followed by further education with the executive MBA program. My wife has an amazing ability to balance the precise amount of support and encouragement mixed with the appropriate restraint and guidance to be my companion through this journey.
  • My professional family – the contacts and network I’ve built through my professional society have become a support system to encourage further professional growth.
  • My work family – the colleagues within my Dept. and the ED staff have allowed me the ability to experiment and change our ED processes to provide the excellent patient care.
  • Finally, my MBA family – my team is an invaluable support system. Working hard together to learn while also enjoying each others’ company – we have truly been a team.

Why did you choose this executive MBA program? The focus on leadership within the curriculum as well as the success of prior graduates made this an easy choice.

What did you enjoy most about the executive MBA program? The ability to network and learn from colleagues in industries outside of healthcare. The support of the administrative team at UNC to ensure a great experience.

What is your most memorable moment from business school? Immersion week was a demanding time but definitely built the foundation for our team and is ingrained in my memory!

Fun fact about yourself: Die-hard college football fan

Favorite book: Freakonomics

Favorite movie: Lord of the Rings

Favorite musical performer: U2, Aerosmith (old school)

Favorite television show: John Oliver – Last Week Tonight

Favorite vacation spot: Any beach!

What are your hobbies? Sleep & spending time with my family!

Twitter Handle: @Abhi_MD

What made Abhi such an invaluable addition to the class of 2015 for your executive MBA program?

“Abhi embodies what our program is designed to support: People who are excelling in their professions and are ready to take the next step. He has taken what he has learned at UNC Kenan-Flagler and developed a business plan that resulted in the creation of a new opportunity for his organization and for himself. 

He has excelled academically, demonstrated outstanding leadership and fully and enthusiastically participated in all our classes and activities. In addition, he shows a high level of concern for his fellow classmates and the community.”    

– Anne-Marie Summers, Director of the Weekend MBA Program

 

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