DivineMercy Bakare

“A culturally sensitive lifelong learner passionate about redefining the business of medicine”

Hometown: Brooklyn Park, MN, and Lagos, Nigeria

Fun Fact About Yourself: I love scents and smelling good. I have meticulously curated a growing collection of about 80 perfumes.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Minnesota, Duluth- Biochemistry. Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine – Master of Biomedical Sciences

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Smiths Medical- Post Surveillance Reporting Specialist

What has been your favorite part of the Twin Cities so far? What has made it such a great place to earn an MBA?

I grew up in the Twin Cities but only explored the cities once I started my graduate education. My favorite part is the variety of indoor and outdoor activities available throughout the seasons. The Twin Cities is a hub of medical technology innovation. Carlson is situated in the middle of this progress and facilitates connections with the Fortune 500 businesses in the area.

Carlson MBA spend a year in hands-on Enterprise programs for Consulting, Branding, Ventures, and Funds. Which program do you intend to enroll in? What excites most about your Enterprise program?

I was very excited about the Ventures enterprise. As a future business owner, this enterprise would provide a breadth of knowledge inaccessible in the classroom. However, I opted not to pursue any enterprise program because of the demands of my dual degree. Instead, I will focus on the Medical Industry Leadership Institute (MILI) specialization as that will better equip me to achieve my future goal of establishing and operating a healthcare institution.

Aside from your classmates, experiential learning, and location, what was the key part of the Carlson MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you?

I am a dual degree MD/MBA candidate, so finding a business school that would incorporate seamlessly into my Medical School curriculum was paramount. I also wanted a program that would provide exposure to the business aspects of medicine and facilitate connections with healthcare institutions in Minnesota. The Medical Industry Leadership Institute (MILI) specialization piqued my interest as it offers classes tailored to producing healthcare leaders and has a vast network of Alumni willing to provide mentorship.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far:

My biggest accomplishment so far has been establishing a mentorship program to increase diversity in surgery by recruiting surgeons to mentor medical students who are underrepresented in medicine.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far:

My biggest accomplishment as an MBA student is a change in perspective. I had no business education, so I was apprehensive about starting the MBA program from scratch. On starting, I realized I wasn’t at zero. My experiences at previous jobs, leadership positions, and medical knowledge were appreciated and valued in the classroom.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far?

My best memory as an MBA student is attending the Twins game with my classmates. Our cohort was new and friendships were just being formed. I enjoyed how informative my classmates were and their willingness to teach me baseball.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into the Carlson MBA program?

Be authentic. Every experience, activity, and hobby equips one with a unique perspective; make sure to highlight in the application and interview. I recommend attending public Carlson events and connecting with current MBA students to learn more about the program and the culture.