Imelda Tavas, MD, MBA
Gabelli School of Business, Fordham University
Age: 47
“Former physician turned healthcare executive with 18 years’ experience, now transformed by Fordham University.”
Hometown: Hartsdale, New York
Family Members: Michael (Husband) and Caitlin (Daughter)
Fun fact about yourself: My parallel life? Before medicine claimed my career, I was the lead singer in a band – a passion I kept alive through recording cover songs. In some alternate universe, I’m probably touring with a platinum album right now!
Undergraduate School and Degree: University of Santo Tomas, Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology (Undergraduate) and Saint Louie University, Doctor of Medicine (Graduate)
Where are you currently working? Essen Health Care, Chief Administrative Officer
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles: I serve on the Advisory Board of NYREACH, a nonprofit dedicated to workforce development and community health, while volunteering annually with God’s Love We Deliver to distribute meals to those in need. Professionally, I’m researching international solutions that could address critical healthcare staffing shortages impacting the U.S. healthcare system.
Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? During our cohort trek in Barcelona, I discovered an achievement that transcends academics – completing a physically demanding journey despite not being the most athletic participant. This experience proved transformative, as pushing beyond my perceived limitations revealed deeper insights about my character and leadership potential. The trek became a powerful metaphor for my business school journey: facing challenges head-on, persisting when paths grow difficult, and finding strength through vulnerability. This new-found self-awareness has directly informed my approach to leadership development, highlighting specific areas where I can grow as a resilient, adaptable leader capable of guiding teams through demanding circumstances.
What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? My proudest professional achievement came through navigating organizational upheaval that initially appeared to derail my career trajectory. In 2019, during a management restructuring, I found myself unexpectedly sidelined when someone with more extensive experience was placed above me. Simultaneously, I was assigned a troubled department where my integrity faced scrutiny.
Rather than succumbing to disappointment, I committed to excellence in my new role while maintaining unwavering professionalism. Over two challenging years, I methodically addressed departmental issues, rebuilt trust, and demonstrated consistent performance under pressure. This period became a profound leadership crucible, pushing me far beyond my perceived limitations.
My resilience ultimately proved transformative when my superior recognized my capabilities and elevated me to an executive position after my replacement departed. The achievement I’m most proud of isn’t simply attaining this leadership role, but rather the personal and professional growth forged through adversity. Today, I lead a team of 800 direct and indirect reports, generating the organization’s largest bottom line—validation that my greatest professional strength is transforming challenges into opportunities for exceptional performance.
Who was your favorite MBA professor? I had the privilege of learning from two exceptional professors who significantly shaped my MBA experience in different yet complementary ways.
Professor Sertan Kabadayi from Marketing embodied intellectual confidence and academic rigor. His direct approach—never hesitating to challenge incorrect responses with “you are wrong, I am right”—created a classroom environment that demanded excellence. Rather than discouraging participation, his frankness motivated our cohort to prepare more thoroughly and think more critically. Despite teaching for just one semester, his engaging classroom presence and uncompromising standards left an indelible impression.
However, Professor Wael Hibri ultimately tops my list. His versatility in teaching both IT and Operations Supply Chain Management courses brought exceptional value. What distinguished his approach was a perfectly calibrated blend of structure and flexibility. His asynchronous learning options proved invaluable for balancing my demanding executive schedule without sacrificing academic quality. Particularly transformative was his integration of advanced simulations into the curriculum, which brought abstract concepts to life through interactive application. These simulations created an engaging environment where theoretical frameworks gained immediate practical relevance. Professor Hibri masterfully bridged theoretical concepts with practical applications, drawing from his experience as an MTA Operations consultant. This combination of comprehensive resources, academically challenging material, innovative teaching methods, and real-world expertise created a learning experience that directly enhanced my professional capabilities.
Why did you choose this school’s executive MBA program? I chose Fordham after feeling stuck in a routine after 16 years in my field. I wanted a program that would challenge me, but also fit with my busy work schedule. Fordham’s EMBA stood out because of its focus on leadership development alongside business fundamentals. The program’s reputation for creating well-rounded executives who can both analyze spreadsheets and lead people effectively really spoke to what I was looking for at this stage of my career
What is the biggest lesson you gained during your MBA and how did you apply it at work? The most profound lesson my MBA journey revealed was that authentic leadership is the cornerstone of sustainable success. Throughout the program, I gradually shed longstanding self-doubts as I integrated academic frameworks with my professional experience. This integration created a powerful synergy that transformed my approach to management.
By embracing my authentic leadership style, I gained the confidence to apply diverse business concepts—from financial analysis to strategic planning—directly to operational challenges. This newfound self-assurance manifested in tangible ways: I began making decisions with greater conviction, communicating more effectively across departments, and approaching complex problems with a more comprehensive perspective.
Perhaps most significantly, authentic leadership reinforced the importance of building resilient teams through trust and delegation. Rather than micromanaging, I learned to identify team members’ strengths, assign responsibilities accordingly, and provide support without undermining autonomy. This approach not only improved departmental performance but created a more engaged workplace culture where innovation flourishes.
The MBA’s greatest gift wasn’t just knowledge, but the validation that effective leadership emerges from embracing who you truly are while continually expanding your capabilities.
Give us a story during your time as an executive MBA on how you were able to juggle work, family and education? My Executive MBA journey coincided with one of the most demanding periods of my professional life—leading a department through reorganization while overseeing 800 team members. This academic challenge arrived precisely when both my career and family needed me most.
I vividly recall a particularly intense week when our cohort faced a crucial operations simulation deadline while my department simultaneously prepared for a regulatory audit. That same week, my daughter had an important school event I was determined not to miss, and I had to travel upstate. The collision of these priorities initially seemed impossible to navigate.
My approach became a masterclass in deliberate time management. I established a non-negotiable study block from 4:30-6:30am before my family awakened—creating sacred academic space when my mind was sharpest. Technology became my ally, as I utilized voice recording to capture ideas while commuting and collaborated with team members via virtual platforms during lunch breaks.
The simulation project required creative problem-solving. I transparently communicated my constraints to my cohort partners, and we developed an asynchronous workflow that leveraged each member’s strengths while accommodating our diverse schedules. This approach ultimately produced superior results through its built-in diversity of thought.
The true breakthrough came through integration rather than separation of responsibilities. I brought relevant workplace challenges into my coursework when possible, transforming assignments into practical solutions for my organization. This approach not only made academic work more meaningful, but created direct value for my company, justifying the investment of time.
Most importantly, I learned to be fully present wherever I was—giving undivided attention to my family during designated times rather than being perpetually distracted. This presence-based approach actually strengthened relationships despite time constraints.
The juggling act wasn’t about achieving perfect balance every day, but rather about strategic imbalance—recognizing which area needed priority at different moments while maintaining minimum standards across all domains.
What advice would you give to a student looking to enter an executive MBA program? First, be honest with yourself about why you want this degree. An MBA is demanding, and clarity about your goals will help you stay motivated. Before you start, try to get your work life in a manageable state – delegate where possible and have conversations with your boss about your upcoming commitments. On a practical level, brush up on basic Excel skills and statistics if you haven’t used them in a while. Most importantly, prepare mentally for change. The most valuable part of my EMBA experience wasn’t technical skills but personal growth. Be open to challenging your assumptions and changing how you’ve always done things. That’s where the real transformation happens.
What was your biggest regret in business school? My most significant regret during my Executive MBA experience relates to networking, though perhaps not in the conventional sense. While I entered the program with an expansive professional network in healthcare—more developed than many of my cohort peers—I regret not leveraging the unique academic environment to diversify these connections beyond my established industry circles.
The EMBA program offered rare access to thought leaders across finance, technology, and manufacturing sectors that could have provided fresh perspectives on healthcare challenges. Despite having strong existing relationships, I missed opportunities to create meaningful cross-industry connections that might have sparked innovative approaches to healthcare management.
This limitation stemmed partly from prioritizing academic excellence and immediate work responsibilities over optional networking functions. Additionally, when networking events seemed oriented toward industries distant from healthcare, I sometimes questioned their relevance rather than exploring potential intersections.
In retrospect, even with my robust healthcare network, I underestimated how deliberately cultivating relationships with professionals from completely different sectors might have enriched my strategic thinking. The most transformative insights often emerge at the boundaries between disciplines—precisely the type of connections an EMBA program is uniquely positioned to facilitate.
Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I most admire Martin Nyadgso, a Jesuit Priest whose presence in our cohort has been truly remarkable. What distinguishes Martin is the profound disconnect between his challenging personal circumstances and his consistently uplifting demeanor. Only recently did I discover that throughout our 22-month program, he has navigated significant financial constraints that would have defeated many others.
Despite these difficulties, Martin has been an unwavering source of positive energy for our entire cohort. His gentle nature, genuine care for others, and well-timed humor have lifted our collective spirits during the most demanding periods of the program. His ability to maintain such warmth and generosity while facing personal hardship demonstrates extraordinary character and resilience.
What I find particularly admirable is how Martin seamlessly integrates his spiritual calling into our business education environment. With remarkable tact and sensitivity, he finds appropriate moments to express his faith through prayers and spiritual insights when our cohort is receptive, never imposing but always authentically representing his values.
As he completes this program, Martin will return to Zimbabwe to serve the community that supported his education, committed to returning their investment tenfold. His dedication to this purpose is unwavering. Having committed to priesthood since age 18, Martin brings a refreshing perspective to what many of us take for granted. I particularly cherish his genuine amazement at conveniences we consider ordinary in the United States—his innocent delight in discovering modern amenities and occasional tastes of luxury, which he clearly appreciates but never covets, invariably brings a smile to my face.
Martin exemplifies how true leadership transcends professional titles or financial resources—it emanates from an individual’s capacity to elevate others while remaining steadfast in their own principles, even under challenging circumstances.
What was the main reason you chose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? My decision to pursue an Executive MBA rather than part-time or online alternatives was driven by three strategic considerations that aligned with both my professional circumstances and personal learning style.
First, the one-weekend-per-month structure proved ideal for my executive responsibilities. This format created dedicated immersion periods where I could fully disconnect from operational demands and focus exclusively on learning. Unlike continuous part-time programs that require juggling work and education simultaneously throughout the week, this concentrated schedule allowed me to maintain leadership presence at work while creating clear boundaries for academic engagement. The structured on-campus weekends effectively forced me to prioritize education in a way that would have been challenging with more flexible formats, where work emergencies might have constantly overshadowed learning.
Second, after sixteen years in healthcare leadership, I recognized the value of breaking established mental patterns. The Executive MBA’s immersive weekends provided regular intellectual retreats from my routine professional environment. This periodic shift in context became crucial for expanding my thinking beyond industry conventions and challenging long-held assumptions about business operations.
Finally, the Executive MBA cohort composition was decisive in my selection. The program’s requirement for participants to have substantial work experience—typically 10+ years—ensured interactions with seasoned professionals facing similar leadership challenges. This peer group from diverse industries offered perspectives impossible to access within my healthcare network alone. While online programs might offer theoretical knowledge, they cannot replicate the value of spontaneous discussions with executives from manufacturing, finance, or technology sectors that often continued beyond classroom hours into informal settings.
The combination of structured immersion, mental reset opportunities, and access to a curated peer network made the Executive MBA format uniquely valuable for my development as a senior leader.
How did you finance your EMBA and what did you do to make tuition and associated costs more affordable? My approach to financing my Executive MBA represented a strategic combination of institutional benefits, employer support, and scholarship opportunities that significantly reduced the financial burden typically associated with advanced business education.
The foundation of my financing strategy leveraged my husband’s employment at the university, which provided substantial tuition remission benefits. This institutional connection immediately reduced the program’s cost and made the EMBA a more accessible option. Building on this advantage, I engaged in transparent discussions with my employer about the mutual benefits of my advanced education, ultimately securing additional financial support to supplement the remaining balance after the tuition remission.
Further enhancing the affordability, I was fortunate to receive a $30,000 scholarship from Fordham, which proved instrumental in covering the remaining expenses such as course materials, transportation and parking costs, and international travel components of the program. This scholarship not only reduced immediate financial pressure but also decreased the need for educational loans that might have created long-term financial obligations.
This three-pronged approach—combining family educational benefits, employer investment, and merit-based institutional support—transformed what might have been a prohibitive expense into a manageable investment in my professional development. The combination allowed me to focus fully on maximizing the educational experience rather than managing financial stress throughout the program.
What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My ultimate long-term professional goal is to establish myself as a transformative healthcare business leader, who pioneers innovative delivery models addressing the uniquely challenging U.S. healthcare landscape, with particular emphasis on vulnerable older adults and medically underserved populations. I aim to build and lead an American enterprise focused on developing full-risk healthcare delivery frameworks that substantially reduce national healthcare expenditures, while improving access and outcomes for those most often left behind by traditional healthcare systems.
Central to this ambition is my commitment to advancing value-based care models that prioritize outcomes for medically complex older adults and communities with limited healthcare access. The global dimension of this vision is essential: creating sustainable solutions for healthcare workforce challenges through innovative training and deployment strategies designed specifically to serve populations with the greatest needs, from rural America to developing regions worldwide.
This foundation in the U.S. market, with its focused attention on closing healthcare disparity gaps, will serve as the launchpad for creating global technology and workforce solutions. I envision expanding internationally through specialized healthcare IT infrastructure and workforce development programs that can adapt to different healthcare systems worldwide while maintaining a core commitment to reaching underserved communities. By leveraging my unique combination of clinical background, executive experience, and business education, I intend to develop platforms that address healthcare challenges for vulnerable populations across diverse global contexts.
This path represents the culmination of my professional journey: applying my physician’s understanding of clinical needs, my executive experience in organizational leadership, and my business acumen to create lasting improvements in how healthcare is delivered to our most vulnerable citizens in the United States while building technology and workforce solutions with global impact for underserved populations worldwide.
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