Since graduating from the Texas MBA at Houston Program in 2007, Maggie Row has been helping to provide high-quality cancer care to patients around the world through her work at MD Anderson. Her MBA education provided her with new insights into the healthcare industry, and not only gave her the skills to become a better leader, but a better healthcare provider as well.
We recently caught up with Maggie to see what she’s up to and to learn about her reasons #WhyMcCombs.
What were you doing before you decided to pursue an MBA?
I was the medical director for the Emergency Center at MD Anderson Cancer Center and a practicing emergency oncology physician.
Why did you decide to pursue and MBA and why did you choose McCombs?
Upon completion of my residency in 1994, I decided to pursue an MBA. I always enjoyed business, in fact, I did the accounting for my dad’s business while I was in high school and college. At MD Anderson, I’ve been given many different leadership opportunities and I felt that the additional skills I would gain would help me to be a more effective leader.
I chose McCombs because of the excellence of the program and the opportunity to stay in Houston –the program was literally two blocks from my house.
What was the most valuable lesson — inside or outside of the classroom — you learned while completing your MBA?
Time management. My children were in kindergarten and first grade when I started my program at McCombs and I was also working full-time at MD Anderson. I had to be very disciplined, so I was able to be a mom, while at the same time being a wife, a student and a physician leader.
How has your McCombs MBA experience helped shape your success?
I think a business background is essential for a well-rounded clinician. The knowledge I learned in business school has been useful in every faucet of my job, even with direct patient care. This expansion of my skill set allows me to see medical issues, both business and clinical, from a different viewpoint. The ability to understand the financial and economic aspects of health care decisions has been a valuable asset.
What is your current position at MD Anderson?
I am currently Vice President of Operations for the MD Anderson Cancer Network. Our network works with hospitals and health systems around the world to help provide high-quality cancer care to patients in the communities where they live. In my role, I’m responsible for making sure that the exceptional care we provide here at our Texas Medical Center campus is integrated into our network member sites.
What do you love about your job?
I love that I’m helping cancer patients receive better care by extending the knowledge from MD Anderson to oncologists worldwide.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I spend time with my family – Jim, my husband, and children, Catalina (16) and Billy (15). We are either traveling, running, golfing, going to movies or just hanging out at our pool in Houston.
What advice do you have for future Texas MBAs?
Enjoy your undergraduate experience and learn as much as possible about life and the opportunities available for your future. I didn’t know what I was going to be doing when I graduated from college. Taking the time to work and obtain additional education helped me gain the tools I need to navigate my career.
