Amal Isaiah
University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business
Age: 41
“Committed to using data to develop innovative, cost-effective solutions for the future of healthcare.”
Hometown: Cochin, Kerala, India
Family Members:
Spouse: Teena, Children: Johann (6) and Alexander (2)
Fun fact about yourself: I sat alongside Taylor Swift at a conference in 2008 and had no idea who I was talking to.
Undergraduate School and Degree: MD from St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore, India; DPhil (PhD) in Neuroscience from University of Oxford, United Kingdom.
Where are you currently working? University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM), Baltimore, Maryland; Institute of Health Computing, Bethesda, Maryland
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles: I direct the pediatric otolaryngology division in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM). My clinical focus is on treating infants and children with complex ear, nose, and throat issues, especially through surgical interventions for breathing problems in infants. In addition to my clinical duties, I manage a leadership role in finance and business strategy within the department. I also lead an NIH-funded laboratory that studies the impact of sleep disruption on brain development. My research efforts have resulted in over 70 publications in leading journals and a portfolio of biomedical inventions, with six patents currently under commercialization. I also chair the research committee of the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology and review for over a dozen journals. I recently assumed the Innovation Lead role at the Institute for Health Computing in Bethesda, Maryland, where I will develop data-driven biomedical innovations with cross-functional teams. I actively mentor medical students, residents, and graduate students and have been recognized as a Mentor with Transformative Impact by UMSOM.
Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I served as the editor of the book Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children, which was published by Elsevier in November 2023. Alongside a co-editor, I organized and compiled 600 pages of contributions from nearly 70 authors around the globe. Completing this extensive project was a significant highlight of my executive MBA tenure.
What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? As a former Rhodes Scholar and one of the five Indian recipients in 2006, my journey from humble beginnings to Oxford was unexpected. I was particularly fortunate as the only medical student from India to receive the scholarship that year. The Rhodes Scholarship significantly broadened my horizons, beginning with my very first airplane flight.
Who was your favorite MBA professor? Rellie Derfler-Rozin who taught ethics, human behavior, and negotiation, provided a unique hands-on approach to understanding biases and economic consequences of unethical behavior.
Why did you choose this school’s executive MBA program? I sought advice from my surgical colleague, Kim Lumpkins, who highly recommended the program based on her positive experience. Encouraged by her endorsement, I discussed the idea with my department chair, Rod Taylor, who supported my decision and chose to pursue the program himself.
The Smith School’s Executive MBA stood out for its rigorous 18-month curriculum that accommodates the busy schedules of professionals continuing their careers. It strikes an ideal balance between developing quantitative skills and leadership abilities, strongly emphasizing crafting a personal leadership plan and integrating a comprehensive executive coaching strategy. This combination, unmatched by other regional programs, solidified my decision to enroll.
What is the biggest lesson you gained during your MBA and how did you apply it at work? The semiquantitative assessments (especially Hogan 360) and the discussions and coaching around the results provided me with excellent tools to realize my strengths and weaknesses. The primary lesson I learned is about strategic self-awareness. I translated that to the better acknowledgment of contributions from my team members, which resulted in improved overall productivity through delegation.
Give us a story during your time as an executive MBA on how you were able to juggle work, family and education? In 2022, I faced significant personal and professional challenges. Life was already demanding with my younger son’s birth and ongoing clinical and research responsibilities. The situation became even more complex when my mother was diagnosed with cancer, requiring me to frequently travel to India during the COVID-19 pandemic to facilitate her care until her passing in May 2023. Meanwhile, my wife handled the immense task of caring for our newborn. I had also taken on editing a book and was applying for NIH funding opportunities. I kept telling myself, “if it were any easier, everyone else would do it.” I used the coursework to keep myself distracted from the gloom surrounding my mother’s illnesses. Thanks to supportive classmates, my chair, and the Smith School faculty, I managed the challenge reasonably well.
What advice would you give to a student looking to enter an executive MBA program? There is no better time than the present to embrace the challenges and learning opportunities of an executive MBA program. Moving beyond mere credentials, this experience offers the chance to master agile, real-time learning and find fulfillment in spearheading workplace process improvements. Such initiatives enhance processes and promise long-term satisfaction and career longevity.
What was your biggest regret in business school? I had originally planned to stay Saturdays at the course hotel. I started returning home more frequently, but should have probably used the opportunity to liaise better with my classmates.
Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Conor Crimmins and Warren Chambers possess exceptional people skills. I am consistently inspired by their effortless ability to speak in public and build and maintain relationships.
What was the main reason you chose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? I’ve always been a hands-on, in-person learner, and the pandemic-related transformations in experiential learning always had me yearning for more. As a professional who continued in-person patient care throughout the pandemic, I was ready to travel for classes. The support from my chair also made this decision easier.
What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? The cost of healthcare in the US is escalating rapidly, and a significant portion of this is financed by public debt. Recognizing that data is our most valuable asset, my goal is to lead an agile ecosystem focused on developing cost-effective healthcare solutions derived from this data.
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