| Juli Tidwell MBA, Expected Graduation Term Fall 2009
Background:
I am a former Air Force brat who eventually settled down in Litchfield, MN. I attended the University of Minnesota as an undergrad where I received a dual BA in Theatre Arts and Studies in Cinema and Media Culture with emphases on costuming and screenwriting. Following graduation, I began working at the U of M in the Research Subjects' Protection Program, where I developed a fascination with regulatory affairs and quality assurance. After working for several years as a Research Administrator and Quality Assurance Coordinator, I accepted the position of Regulatory Specialist within the Department of Pediatric Oncology at the U, where I currently work.
Why Carlson?
I chose Carlson because I was blown away with the vast number of opportunities it offered its students, both in- and out-side the classroom. I knew that a Carlson MBA could significantly increase my value to any organization and provide me with the tools I needed to compete in a fast-paced, global healthcare market.
Why MBA/MILI?
I was immediately excited when I discovered the MILI emphasis, as it addressed everything I was interested in: cutting edge medical advancements, healthcare regulations and policy, and strategic management of resources. The coursework of the MBA program, combined with the MILI courses, offered me a solid understanding the business aspects of the healthcare industry, as well as how I could leverage my own experience in regulatory to become a leader in this exciting field.
Future plans
I plan to spend my last semester at Carlson filling up my toolbox in order to prepare me for entry into the great, wide, world of "Industry". I will be seeking opportunities to continue utilizing my expertise, as well as incorporate my new found skills in project management, financial analysis, and corporate social responsibility to make an impact in the world of research and healthcare.
Recommendations to prospective students
Read, read, and read! Anything and everything related to current events should be on your radar. Opportunities are everywhere you look, you just have to know how to spot them, and knowing what's going on in the world is the best place to start. I highly recommend the Wall Street Journal, the Economist, and the BBC. Also, Steve Parente's Health Care Marketplace and Evaluation Lab are a must if you have any interest in the medical industry. These courses were invaluable.
Most interesting thing you've learned this year
Negotiations. I never realized how incredibly important negotiating skills are, particularly within the medical industry, until I took Lori Abram's Negotiations course. We negotiate everyday, yet so many people are surprisingly bad at it. We have all seen the results of poor negotiations, especially when it is played out in national media, as well as great negotiations. Understanding how to be a great negotiator can make all the difference between great success and failure, and in the healthcare industry the latter can have disastrous consequences.
What do you do when not in class?
That's a tough one, since I am never not in class. I kid. I spend as much time as I can rock climbing and going on adventures like scuba diving and white water rafting, as well as practicing vo lam kung fu and kickboxing. I read constantly and have an unhealthy addiction to murder mysteries and zombie movies.
Greatest accomplishment so far
Attending a live open-heart surgery and not passing out.
What do you see as the greatest need in medical industry?
Simplicity and transparency. Also, *successful* collaboration between industry and academia in research, particularly on the global scale, and the development or revision of current healthcare industry policies.
Who has influenced you the most - role model?
My professional role model is my former director at the Research Subjects' Protection Program. Her knowledge of the regulatory industry and her ability to remain calm during any storm and still find time to mentor and develop her employees was incredible.
Most rewarding MILI experience
It's a tie between the first annual Medtronic Interdisciplinary Healthcare Case Competition in April 2009 and completing my first round of evaluations in the Medical Industry Enterprise course (now called the Valuation Laboratory).
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