Amy Rushing, MD

Case Western Reserve University, Weatherhead School of Management Flex MBA

“A trauma surgeon passionate about quality improvement, teamwork, and a good underdog story. (Let’s go O’s!).”

Age: 48

Hometown: Chester, Virginia

Fun fact about yourself: My husband, Greg, and I are enthusiastic Baltimore Orioles fans. In fact, my dog is named after legendary Orioles’ third baseman, Brooks Robinson.

Undergraduate School and Degree: University of Virginia (BA – Biology); Eastern Virginia Medical School (Doctorate of Medicine)

Where are you currently working? Chief of Trauma, Critical Care, and Acute Care Surgery – University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? The proudest moment in my career was getting my first job as an attending surgeon. After years of school and surgical training, I found my first case in the operating room as a surgeon both terrifying and extremely rewarding. I have experienced many wins and losses in my career since then, but nothing beats your first successful operative case. It was then that I was reassured I had chosen the right career for me and I would spend the rest of my professional life caring for others.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? Of all the online programs available, I chose Weatherhead because it offers a concentration in healthcare management. It has a tradition of human innovation in organizational development, and has a well-known track record for educational excellence. Also, it was evident during my first interactions with the faculty and administration that they were committed to the success of their students.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? Building relationships with my study groups.  Despite our virtual existence, we were able to achieve a level of camaraderie and collaboration like the study groups I had in college and medical school. This was highlighted during the summer when we met for our annual residency: our dynamic was just as it was online, and this made the residency experience even more enjoyable. The same for the Weatherhead faculty – their level of online engagement was exceptional and made my interaction with them during residency seamless and comparable to professors I saw daily in medical school.

How did your online MBA experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? A lot has changed in higher education since I was in college, so online learning was a bit of an adjustment. This was evident when preparing for a lecture and submitting assignments. The biggest change was realizing that textbooks, papers, and pens were not as essential. Learning came from reflection, discussion, and active problem-solving. As a result, I think my approach to learning as a process has evolved significantly; it’s not just the “what” and “why”. Instead, it’s the “how” behind specific concepts. Today, I am more likely to ask myself, “How can I use this concept effectively? How do I improve the odds of success in this endeavor?” I think that’s the difference in an MBA education: it emphasizes the “how.”

How has your online MBA education helped you in your current job? My MBA education has really challenged me to use a different part of my brain. What I mean is that the knowledge I have acquired in the last three years has been invaluable in leading people, promoting clinical initiatives, and honing my skills in continuous quality improvement. I have also gained a better understanding of healthcare finance, a subject matter that many physicians find challenging.

Did you earn a promotion while in the program or immediately after graduation? I was promoted to Division Chief of Trauma during my final year of my MBA program.

Why did you pursue an online MBA program instead of a full-time residential or executive MBA program? The online MBA program was clearly the best option for me as a busy healthcare professional.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? At Weatherhead, we took two courses that engaged AI: Digital Innovations and AI Applications in Healthcare Management. Prior to this program, I had a very rudimentary understanding of AI and rarely sought out opportunities to use it. After spending time engaging with experts in the field and learning the technical principles and limitations of AI, I feel more comfortable in using this technology in my professional work. I think the challenge is understanding how to incorporate AI effectively into your daily life as we all know that it is here to stay.

Number of Hours Per Week Spent on an Online MBA: 15

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? I don’t have a specific job title in mind; however, I would like to spend the remainder of my career improving the quality of emergency surgical care. If I can influence how surgical emergencies are managed and, ultimately, improve outcomes, I would consider that a successful professional mission.

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