Dr. Megan Cahill, DO, MBA

University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium

“A dedicated physician excelling in medicine, prioritizing family, fostering health and compassion in my community.”

Age: 37

Hometown: Rochester Hills, MI

Fun fact about yourself: I had 5 kids in under 5 years, including spontaneous triplets!

Undergraduate School and Degree:

Master of Business Administration, focus in Healthcare Management

University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium | Eau Claire, WI | 2020 – 2023

Graduated with GPA 4.0

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine | East Lansing, MI | 2008 – 2012

Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology Honors Program

University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, MI | 2004 – 2008

Graduated with High Distinction, GPA 3.9

Where are you currently working?

Division Chief of Medicine

Henry Ford Macomb Hospital | Clinton Township, MI  | 2022– Present

Lead over 750 physicians and Advanced Practice Providers across 20 medical specialties.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? In the mist of COVID, I was working as an emergency physician, with five young children (5, 4, and 13-month-old triplets), and with a husband currently finishing his dissertation. Most people in my life called me crazy for enrolling in an MBA program. However, as I reflected on my personal and professional ambitions, I knew it was time for me to make this a priority and start MBA journey. Despite all the challenges along the way, I am proudest of the way I was able to thrive personally and professionally. Not only was I able to concurrently leverage my newly-acquired MBA skills and knowledge in my current role at the hospital, my MBA efforts also had a direct impact on receiving a significant promotion prior to graduation. About a year into the program, and after having taken on additional administrative responsibilities, I was approached by those in senior administration and asked to apply for the role as the Division Chief of Medicine. Not only was this promotion a significant launching point in my career, but it has also helped me showcase my uncommon skillset as a business minded physician leader. The skills and knowledge I have gained from this program have served to distinguish me from my peer. They have also opened the door to a handful of new profession and academic opportunities which has had a cascading effect on my personal and professional development.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? Upon my initial search into MBA programs, the University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium’s stellar reputation quickly rose to the top.  Additionally, the affordability and fully online modality were critical aspects as I required a program that could fit into my already chaotic life. Furthermore, the ability to pursue a focus in healthcare was key to my career goals and future ambitions. Overall, I could not be more satisfied with my decision.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? My favorite part of the online MBA program was the flexibility it provided. The structured week-to-week deadlines helped keep me accountable during the courses, but the flexibility to engage with course activities according to my schedule was critical to completing the program. I most enjoyed that I was able to invest in my education and career and that I did not have to sacrifice the things I hold most important in my life.  Additionally, the concentration in healthcare management not only made the material feel more applicable, but also let me immediately leverage classroom content on the job and even aided me in landing a significant promotion prior to graduation.

What was the most surprising thing about an online learning environment? I was drawn to the University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium’s online MBA program due to its strong reputation and the flexibility the asynchronous modality provided. While I was initially focused on the personal benefit of being able to fit this into my busy life, I was repeatedly surprised and impressed with the richness f the online learning community. In past educational programs, I always dreaded group projects. However, in this program, I found myself not only treasuring the interactions with my fellow classmates, but developing genuine friendships with those I interacted with during my time in the program.

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? I can sincerely attest that my in-the-classroom (undergrad and doctorate) and online (masters) were fantastic experiences. When attending undergraduate and medical school, in many ways, my life revolved around my education. The flexibility provided by online learning made it possible to take on an MBA while balancing my career and family life. Additionally, I felt my MBA program was a more student-centered experience. In-the-classroom learning can sometimes have a ‘sage on the stage’ feel when you are spending your time going from lecture to lecture. In Wisconsin’s online format, I felt like I had more flexibility and choice in how I was able to personalize my coursework to the specifics of my career and aspirations. I often found myself parlaying my coursework with real life work projects and being able to immediately leverage my studies.

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program? The best piece of advice I could give to a future applicant is to just take the dive. Going back to school can be a scary endeavor.  Whether an applicant is worried about finances, work-life balance, or the dozens of other common concerns that face non-traditional learners, it is intimidating. However, when you make something a true priority in your life, you can always find a way to make it happen. The sooner you make the investment in yourself, the sooner you can begin reaping the rewards of your hard work.

How has your online education helped you in your current job? My online education yielded immediate fruits in my current role. The ability to personalize my course activities – not only to my career field, but also to my day-to-day tasks – has been invaluable. I also found that the feedback I received from my instructors and peers, especially in group discussions, provided me with additional perspectives and avenues for addressing complex challenges. Additionally, I find myself constantly revisiting pervious course material while on the job.  It is impractical to believe you are ever going to retain 100% of what you covered in a course. However, building the foundational knowledge, a deep repository of resources, and the intelligence to navigate the two has repeatedly proven to be an invaluable asset in my ability to thrive in my current position.

Did you earn a promotion while in the program or immediately after graduation? When I started the program, I was working full-time as an Emergency Medicine Physician. In addition to my full-time job, I had started a business that provided contract services to the hospital for administrative leadership, primarily in the areas of sepsis and quality initiatives. After about a year in the program, my track record of success and investment in my professional development had caught the eye of senior leadership. It was at this time that I was invited to apply for a position as the Division Chief of Medicine. After receiving this new role, I scaled back my clinical hours and currently oversee 750 physicians and Advance Practice Providers across 20 medical specialties.

Why did you pursue an online MBA program instead of a full-time residential program? While my professional development and education was a priority for me, it was critical that the right option had to not only accommodate my work schedule, but allow me to be a present wife and mother to my family. The asynchronous modality provided the flexibility I needed to thrive in all aspects of my life. Aside from the late nights and sacrificing sleep, I do not feel I had to compromise any of the most important things in my life in order to achieve my educational goals.

Number of Hours Per Week Spent on an Online MBA: While the number of hours per week varied slightly from class-to-class, I estimate I spent about 2.5-3 hours per credit hour per week.  Luckily, I often felt like I was double dipping as my studies so often closely aligned with my current work projects and interests.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My experience in the University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium not only opened doors, but has helped me fall in love with the business side of medicine.  Before this program, it frequently felt like a necessary evil. However, what I have found is that when armed with a strong foundation in business and a love for healing, I can make a profoundly larger impact in my community than I ever could only treating patients in the Emergency Department. As a long-term goal, I envision myself serving as a President or CEO of a community hospital. Through my ongoing work with the Blue Cross/Blue Shield’s Collaborative Quality Initiatives, I was asked to represent statewide quality improvement work on national webinars, including with the CDC and Sepsis Alliance. Through these experiences, I have recently found myself driven to improving patient safety and quality for all communities across the country. I always like to keep an open mind about future opportunities, but know for certain that this is just the start to growing my career and taking on future opportunities to better serve those I have been called to help.

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