2022 Best & Brightest Executive MBA: Daniel M. Prevedello, Ohio State (Fisher)

Daniel M. Prevedello

Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business

Age: 46

“Altruistic humorous easygoing father husband musician meticulous neurosurgeon.”

Hometown: Columbus, OH

Family Members:

Priscila G. Prevedello (wife);

Kids: Angelina (Nin) Prevedello; Isabella (Bell) Prevedello

Fun fact about yourself: I grew up in Brazil, playing in rock’n’roll bands.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Federal University of Parana (Brazil): Medical School (Doctor of Medicine)

Where are you currently working?

The Ohio State University, Department of Neurological Surgery

Vice-Chair of Academic Affairs of The Department of Neurological Surgery

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles:

Director of the Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery Center, Wexner Medical Center, The James Cancer Center.

Chair of the Skull Base Committee of the World Federation of Neurological Societies.

Chair of Skull Base Surgery for the Tumor Section of AANS (American Association of Neurological Surgeons/CNS (Congress of Neurological Surgeons).

Member of the Board of Directors of the Pituitary Network Association (Patients’ association to increase awareness of pituitary diseases).

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I am very proud of the Leadership and Contribution award I received from the EMBA Class of 2022. I am pleased because my classmates chose me as the most critical student who contributed to their experience and education.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? In 2017 I became Professor with Tenure at The Ohio State University, which is the achievement I am most proud of in my career. I am most proud because It represents the highest academic level, which was something I had never dreamed of while growing up in a developing country.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? My favorite professor was Dean Makhija. His didactic technique is remarkable, with genuine exemplifications. He was able to simplify Financial Management by writing equations on the whiteboard, which is a method that works very well for me.

Why did you choose this school’s executive MBA program? I chose The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business because of the high reputation of the EMBA program. I received several excellent recommendations from previous students of the program.

What is the biggest lesson you gained during your MBA and how did you apply it at work? The MBA program made me think realistically about my LEGACY. I apply it every day, educating my students, residents, and fellows and interacting with my team and other faculty members.

Give us a story during your time as an executive MBA on how you were able to juggle work, family and education? I had several unforgettable moments:

* Reading the accounting book for several hours while my wife drove us back from vacation in Missouri was interesting.

* Driving to New York with my kids, listening to the audible version of “A random walk down Wall Street” was another interesting one.

* Scheduling to talk to international patients during the one-hour EMBA lunch break is another excellent example of juggling different lives.

What advice would you give to a student looking to enter an executive MBA program? I would advise the student to identify and prioritize 1 to 2 hours per day to read. The fact that I am a surgeon and sometimes I get home late forced me to read (catch up) during the weekends, which was very hard on the family.

What is the biggest myth about going back to school? Myth: “That one cannot learn after a certain age.” It was a great pleasure to be back at school and see that I can still be a good student.

What was your biggest regret in business school? Not a regret, but I wish I had more available time to read 100% of the materials given to us, including the optional ones. I am planning to continue exploring the materials after graduation.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I admire Maurice Henry. In my opinion, he comes from a completely different background than the others, and his life experiences shared with us were inspiring. Maurice is an example of the EMBA program gaining from the “Bonus” of diversity.

What was the main reason you chose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? The main reason was the opportunity to form a solid network with accomplished people. I like the fact that having ten years of experience in a leadership position is part of the pre-requisites to enter the EMBA program at OSU Fisher College of Business. We learn from each other, and this makes a difference.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? Build a legacy of physicians who genuinely care and be remembered by my core values.

What made Daniel such an invaluable addition to the class of 2022?

“I have rarely met a student the caliber of Daniel “Danny” Prevedello. His determination, appetite for learning, depth of humor and professionalism are only surpassed by his humility and genuine desire to see others succeed.

I would characterize Danny as a student with purpose who helped facilitate the EMBA program learnings, not only with his team but with the entire cohort. Danny was willing to openly share information, experiences, perceptions and feedback in an engaging and professional manner. He listened to others, was open-minded, yet could always be counted on to provide an honest and straightforward answer.  Specific quotes from classmates include:

“Always engaging with questions and comments relative to the topic being discussed and has an amazingly positive attitude.”

“Despite not being expressly in the business arena, his insights and commentary always brought a deeper understanding to the topic we were discussing.”

“Danny is charismatic and endearing. He loves every one of us and is very humble.”

“Daniel’s presence in the class lifted the entire experience, full of positivity. His unique immigrant background and esteemed medical career provided a richness to the cohort, contributing significantly to the intellectual, academic, cultural, and good natured character of our class. Daniel embodies the entrepreneurial spirit and aspiring leadership qualities that make this program unique and highly rewarding.”

Both faculty and classmates often commented that they found Danny’s energy and genuine interest in learning to be both invigorating and welcoming. Picking up his guitar and joining a fellow cohort member as an impromptu duet at a graduation party had a riveting effect on the students. The comment of Danny being a “renaissance man”, reverberated throughout the evening as students who were already familiar with his role as a world-renowned surgeon were now able to witness another side of Danny.

It was not surprising that Danny’s classmates awarded him the “EMBA Student Recognition Award” which is our top EMBA student award nominated and voted on by the cohort. It was a privilege to have Danny in the classroom and be a part of the EMBA Class of 2022. It is my hope that we continue to bring in such high caliber and unique individuals.”

Daniel D. Oglevee, MBA
Academic Director, EMBA
Sr. Lecturer, Finance
Department of Finance

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