In 2016, pediatrician Matt Broom, M.D., changed the trajectory of his career when he moved to a new role as medical director of an outpatient clinic at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

He soon wanted to fill a gap in his knowledge. He needed to better understand hospital operations, balance sheets, and more.

“In health care and medicine in general, there has been an increasing emphasis on business and finance,” says Broom. “It’s a growing part of health care.”

To hone his skills as a physician-leader, Broom chose the EMBA Program at the University of Washington St. Louis. There he found a place of great ROI.

“One of the best things about EMBA is you can start using skills from the classroom immediately in the work environment,” says Broom. His EMBA experience also resulted in friendships and connections with peers from health care and other industries.

“It provided me with the catalyst for leadership and opened new doors for opportunities,” says Broom. 

In 2018, Broom became vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. In June 2020, he moved to a new position, as vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer at the recently opened SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital.

The change brings responsibilities for a larger organization and occurred during a worldwide pandemic. The skills, tools, and knowledge that he gained in his EMBA Program continue to serve him well as he encounters challenges with supply chains, team building, and finances, among others. 

He also draws from his EMBA experience to keep a sense of calm and the ability to step back and look at situations from different perspectives. “I loved the challenge of the program,” he says. “I think the experience certainly has been career-changing for me.”

Learn more about the EMBA experience and its value in preparing for new challenges at EMBA Buzz and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.