Brion Randolph
University of Tennessee, Haslam College of Business
Age: 53
“Hematologist-oncologist and cell therapy leader advancing cancer care by broadening patient access to clinical innovation.”
Hometown: Columbia, South Carolina
Family Members: Celebrating 24 years of marriage to Kimberly Randolph of Smyrna, TN, with two children including William Randolph, who is an aerospace engineering major at UTK, and Lauren Randolph, who is a sophomore in high school in Germantown, TN.
Fun fact about yourself: First African-American Drum Major of the Pride of Southland Marching Band at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Undergraduate School and Degree:
BS – Nuclear Engineering; University of Tennessee, Knoxville
MS – Nuclear Engineering; University of Tennessee, Knoxville
MD – University of South Carolina School of Medicine
Where are you currently working?
University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Associate Professor of Medicine
Baptist Memorial Healthcare, Director of Cell and Gene Therapy
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles:
Board of Trustees – Leukemia Lymphoma Society Tennessee/Alabama Region
Alumni Board of Directors – University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? One of the achievements I am most proud of during business school was participating in Lobby Day for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This opportunity arose shortly after our health policy immersion trip to Washington, DC, and it pushed me outside of my comfort zone in a way I had not anticipated.
Engaging directly with local legislators—something I had never envisioned myself doing—allowed me to advocate for the needs of the patients I serve. The immersion trip was instrumental in preparing me for these conversations by deepening my understanding of the policy landscape and the legislative process. Through this experience, I gained a greater appreciation for how individual patient needs are connected to broader systemic issues, and for the critical role that legislative staffers play in shaping healthcare policy behind the scenes. It was a powerful reminder that advocacy can be a natural extension of patient care, and it broadened my perspective on the ways I can drive change beyond the bedside.
What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? One of the achievements I am most proud of in my professional career was being part of the startup team that opened a new, stand-alone cancer center in Georgia early in my medical career. As Chief of the Medical Oncology Service, I successfully recruited a talented group of 15 oncologists and led the implementation of a new model of care known as the “Centers for Advanced Oncology Care.
This approach integrated the organization’s trademark “patient-empowered care” philosophy with disease-specific expertise, creating multidisciplinary teams focused on distinct cancer types such as breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, and blood cancers. Achieving this required redesigning physician compensation models, developing new marketing strategies, and realigning operational resources to support the multidisciplinary structure. The experience not only deepened my leadership and strategic planning skills but also sparked my enduring passion for program development and building innovative healthcare delivery models.
Who was your favorite MBA professor? My favorite MBA professor was Dr. Matthew Harris, who taught economics. He had a unique ability to connect complex academic concepts to real-world scenarios in a way that was both practical and engaging. His teaching style kept my attention throughout the course, and he made the material feel relevant to the decisions we face as leaders. I especially appreciated how he brought economic theory to life through real examples that challenged us to think critically about policy, markets, and strategy.
Why did you choose this school’s executive MBA program? I chose the Executive MBA in Healthcare for Healthcare Leadership at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, because it offered a combination of factors that stood out from other programs I considered. While all of the programs had strong reputations, this one distinguished itself through its affordability, faster pace with a one-year completion timeline, welcoming and supportive staff, and a curriculum designed for practical application. I was also drawn to the diversity of professional backgrounds among the participants, particularly the inclusion of healthcare professionals beyond physicians. This environment offered a broader range of perspectives on the healthcare industry, enriching classroom discussions and collaborative projects. Taken together, these elements made the program the best fit for my professional goals, personal circumstances, and leadership development needs.
What is the biggest lesson you gained during your MBA and how did you apply it at work? One of the biggest lessons I gained during the Executive MBA was how to recognize opportunities to develop others as a way to drive organizational improvement. Through the leadership development curriculum, I learned to shift from simply identifying problems to empowering team members to help solve them.
For example, I was discussing clinic workflow frustrations with our nurse manager and asked if she had any lean management training. She hadn’t, so I suggested we find a course for her and have her apply those techniques by observing a more efficient oncology clinic within our system. That way, she could lead the effort to identify and implement process improvements. This experience reinforced how leadership isn’t just about solving problems—it’s about growing the people around you to solve them together.
Give us a story during your time as an executive MBA on how you were able to juggle work, family and education? One of the moments that best illustrates how I balanced work, family, and education during my Executive MBA experience came during a particularly demanding period when my leadership responsibilities at work intensified, travel obligations increased, and my daughter was competing in an important cheerleading competition. Despite careful planning, the combined demands proved overwhelming, and I was unable to complete an assignment by the original deadline. I reached out to the professor to explain the situation and request a short extension, which was granted with understanding. This experience reinforced an important leadership lesson: balancing executive responsibilities, family commitments, and academic rigor requires resilience, proactive communication, and the ability to prioritize thoughtfully while remaining committed to long-term goals.
What advice would you give to a student looking to enter an executive MBA program? My advice to a student considering an executive MBA program is to talk to current participants and alumni to get a real sense of the program’s culture, workload, and impact. If possible, visiting the program and sitting in on a few classes can be incredibly valuable. It helped me assess not only the teaching style of the professors but also how effectively they could connect academic concepts to practical, real-world applications—something that was very important to me.
I also recommend taking a close look at the curriculum. Understanding the structure and focus areas can help you determine whether the program aligns with your professional goals. For example, the Executive MBA for Healthcare Leadership that I chose offered a health policy component, which was particularly important to me. I didn’t need a deep technical understanding of policy, but having a high-level grasp was essential for my work. Taking the time to evaluate both the academic and experiential aspects of the program made my decision much more confident and informed.
What was your biggest regret in business school? My biggest regret in business school is not doing it earlier in my career.
Which MBA classmate do you most admire? During my time in the Executive MBA program, I have come to admire my classmate Christopher “Blake” McElroy. As the youngest member of our cohort, Blake entered the program while navigating a challenging work environment where he received little support from his management team – particularly regarding his pursuit of the MBA. Despite this adversity, he remained committed to his development, maintained a positive attitude, and ultimately leveraged connections within our cohort to transition into a new and more fulfilling role as a regional director at another company. Beyond his professional growth, Blake has been a trusted friend and sounding board, often offering support and perspective during moments of leadership frustration in my own organization. Over the course of the program, I’ve watched him grow socially, academically, and professionally, and I have no doubt that he has a bright future ahead.
What was the main reason you chose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? I chose an Executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives because I wanted a more structured, leadership-focused experience designed for executives. The cohort model, in-person immersion experiences, and peer networking opportunities offered a level of engagement and mentorship that more flexible programs could not match. I was particularly drawn to the emphasis on leadership development and the Organizational Action Project, which allowed me to apply strategic concepts to real-world challenges in my organization with faculty guidance. I believe that this more rigorous, collaborative environment better prepares me to move into senior leadership roles and drive meaningful change within healthcare organizations.
How did you finance your EMBA and what did you do to make tuition and associated costs more affordable? I financed my EMBA through a combination of savings and student loans. I also qualified for a tuition discount due to my university affiliation.
What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My long-term professional goal is to transition into an executive leadership role. As a physician leader and healthcare executive, I want to drive innovation and improve patient outcomes across a broader healthcare system. I am particularly passionate about advancing emerging therapies, such as cellular-based immunotherapy, and ensuring that transformative treatments are accessible to patients in underserved regions. In my current role as a medical director, I collaborate with institutional leadership to prioritize programmatic needs and strategic initiatives. However, I recognize that to truly shape organizational direction and resource allocation, I need to move into a higher-level executive role with broader decision-making authority. The Executive MBA for Healthcare Leadership at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has equipped me with the business skills, strategic insight, and mentorship necessary to expand my leadership impact and contribute more meaningfully to the future success and growth of my organization.
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