Meet The Class Of 2022: Truc Phan Moyer, Cornell Executive MBA/MS In Healthcare Leadership

Student Name: Truc Phan Moyer

Describe Yourself In 15 Words: I’m a first-generation college graduate and strive to be a role model for future generations.

Hometown: I grew up in Sacramento and was born in Vietnam.

Fun Fact About Yourself: I am an aspiring chef and I tried to be the next Food Network Star.

Undergraduate School and Major: The University of California, Santa Cruz with a B.S. in Molecular Cellular & Developmental Biology

Current Employer and Job Title: Sr. Clinical Trial Leader at Genentech.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far:  I have contributed to clinical studies which have led to four FDA-approved drugs. These approvals helped millions of patients with life-threatening diseases including Hepatitis C and COVID-19. Being able to push the boundaries of science and medicine to help save lives during a global pandemic has been a pivotal moment for me.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as a graduate student:  As a graduate student, I have grown so much professionally and apply the knowledge from my graduate studies directly to my work at Genentech and beyond. I am proud to collaborate with such diverse and talented classmates. My experience has challenged me to think outside the box and use critical thinking and analysis. These skills not only allow me to problem solve but also build a business network that will share knowledge and tackle real-world challenges as I navigate my career in healthcare.

What led you to pursue an EMBA at this point in your career? At the beginning of the global pandemic, I was working on a clinical study involving underserved and minority patients infected with COVID-19. Healthcare disparity has always been an issue in the U.S., but this was the first time that I was addressing it in a clinical trial. It appears minority populations are being disproportionately affected by COVID-19. I know that more can be done and I want to actively contribute to those efforts. The EMBA/MS in Healthcare Leadership program provides insights into the healthcare ecosystem and the financial aspects that drive businesses within the ecosystem. Understanding the motivations of key stakeholders in this landscape will be crucial to addressing health equity and disparity within local communities and the country at large and also serve as a benchmark for change that can be deployed globally.

What was the key factor that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? When I was trying to learn more about business schools, I wanted a hybrid program that was heavily science-influenced. I knew the Cornell EMBA/MS in Healthcare Leadership program would be an opportunity to learn from leaders outside of the biopharmaceutical field and push my thinking. In my cohort, we have providers, payers, frontline workers, and people like myself from the biopharmaceutical industries. Each person brings a wealth of industry knowledge to the table, which we all benefit from in the collaborative environment. It has been inspiring to be around other leaders who represent various aspects of the healthcare industry.

What is the top item on your career bucket list? My ultimate goal is to one day lead a biopharmaceutical company to provide accessible therapeutics to patients in need.

How did your classmates enhance the value of your business school experience? The diversity within my EMBA/MS class provides me with a multifaceted perspective across industries that highlight and capture different aspects of the healthcare ecosystem. COVID-19 has changed everything; from the way that I do my job to how we experience our EMBA/MS program. However, my teammates go above and beyond to cultivate a positive learning environment and to support each other in these unprecedented times where we are more apart than ever. Building special connections and lifelong friendships has been better than I could have expected.

My classmates come from different backgrounds, companies, and careers. Their perspectives help me view the challenges I face through many new lenses. We are connecting and learning from each other as much as we are learning from the courses. In a way, we are the weekend warriors who are collaborating to share our knowledge to tackle real-life problems. I have been applying what I am learning, in real-time, to the work I am doing at Genentech. This makes me realize how profound the depth of my learning is from the EMBA/MS program. I am confident that I will be more well-rounded as a business leader with the tools I have acquired.

Who was your favorite faculty member and how did this person enrich your learning? Each and every one of my professors at Cornell has been phenomenal and has created a lasting impact on my education. I honestly cannot select a favorite as they were all wonderful and experts in their field.

What is your best advice to an applicant hoping to get into your school’s EMBA program? Be prepared to challenge yourself. The program is not easy; particularly in the beginning when you are learning how to balance classes with work and family life. However, your experience and the support of your classmates will help you navigate the program. Have an open mind, have fun, and make lifelong friendships.

What was your best memory from your EMBA program? We started the program amid a pandemic and attended courses remotely for the first year. During that time, I connected and collaborated with my team and many classmates virtually. The most memorable experience I had was when we finally were able to have an in-person residential week at the main campus in Ithaca, NY. We participated in team-building activities and got to know one another on a personal level. Now I look forward to seeing my friends at every in-person class on weekends.

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