Campbell Liles, MD

Vanderbilt University, Owen Graduate School of Management

“Neurosurgery resident who is also highly interested in healthcare economics, price transparency, and surgical access.”

Hometown: Edmond, Oklahoma

Fun Fact About Yourself: My wife and I just recently had our 1st child, Caroline Joy Liles.

Undergraduate School and Major: Oklahoma State University, Finance. Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, MD.

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Neurosurgery Resident at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC)

What has been your favorite part of Nashville so far? Why? The people. Nashville has world class entertainment and amenities, but still retains a welcoming small city feel. It is a great place to live and raise a family.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Vanderbilt Owen’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The amazing faculty and subsequent access to healthcare leaders. Vanderbilt Owen is very well connected with major healthcare companies and leaders throughout the country, many of which are situated within the Nashville healthcare hub, which controls 15% of all US hospital beds.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Vanderbilt Owen? Vanderbilt Business Healthcare Association (VBHA) hosts many healthcare industry events and healthcare policy discussions and debates.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Medical School – and especially neurosurgery training – has been my most challenging and rewarding endeavor. Very grateful to my Vanderbilt Neurosurgery mentors (Dr. Thompson, Dr. Chambless, and Dr. Wellons) for encouraging and facilitating the MBA opportunity.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? Bridging the gap between medicine and business to study and eventually lower healthcare costs. I co-founded the Vanderbilt Policy and Cost in Surgery (VPaCS) research group to study healthcare cost, access, and policy issues, and I incorporate new techniques from my MBA daily.

What is one thing you have recently read, watched, or listened to that you would highly recommend to prospective MBAs? Why? The Goal by Eliyahu Goldratt and The Price We Pay by Marty Makary are easy and highly informative reads that give excellent overviews of operations and the US healthcare system, respectively.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Vanderbilt Owen’s MBA program? Be yourself. Vanderbilt has a world-class reputation and faculty, but our collaborative, team-based learning sets us apart from other top schools.

DON’T MISS: MEET VANDERBILT OWEN’S MBA CLASS OF 2024