Manushi Patel

“Pediatric nurse turned MBA/MHA student, passionate about translating frontline care experience into strategic healthcare leadership”

Hometown: Woodbury, MN

Fun Fact About Yourself: I have a running list of restaurants and coffee shops I want to try in every city I visit.

Undergraduate School and Major: St. Olaf College, Bachelor of Arts in Nursing

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital – Administrative Intern

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

What I love most about the Twin Cities is how accessible everything feels. It’s easy to go from class to a healthcare leadership event or an alumni conversation and actually see how what we’re learning applies in the real world. The combination of healthcare and business here makes the MBA experience feel relevant from day one.

Carlson MBAs 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 am enrolled in the Carlson Consulting Enterprise (CCE). What excites me most is the opportunity to apply classroom concepts to real client engagements while developing structured problem-solving and executive communication skills. With a strong foundation in healthcare operations, CCE also allows me to step outside that space and work on projects across other industries. That exposure is important to me as I build a broader perspective and learn how different organizations approach complex challenges.

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?

What ultimately drew me to Carlson was the opportunity to pursue a dual MBA/MHA in a way that feels truly integrated. I wanted a program that would push me to build strong business fundamentals while also giving me the flexibility to explore how those skills apply across different settings. Carlson’s structure encourages that kind of growth as it challenges me to step outside what I already know, learn new ways of thinking, and apply them in meaningful ways. That balance was important to me as I look ahead and continue to challenge myself while building toward a career in healthcare.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far:

My biggest career accomplishment has been building a foundation that bridges frontline experience with systems-level thinking. Working in complex environments taught me how decisions made at the organizational level affect people in real time. That perspective ultimately motivated my transition toward leadership and strategy, where I hope to influence how systems operate at scale.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far:

My biggest accomplishment as an MBA student has been getting deeply involved across the Carlson community. Through MBA Association, I’ve supported student clubs across the program, while also contributing to organizations like the Carlson Consulting Club, where I help peers interested in consulting. I’ve also been active in the Medical Industry Leadership Institute Student Association (MILIsa), connecting with students and alumni who share an interest in healthcare, and Carlson 4 Community, where we are supporting a local charity, The Bridge for Youth, this year by raising funds through a charity auction gala.

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

My favorite MBA memories have come from the people, getting to know classmates from completely different backgrounds, and learning how much you can grow by listening to perspectives different from your own.

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