Mohamed Eid joined the Executive MHA program’s first cohort in 2010 and graduated in 2012.  He was recently promoted to Vice President of Clinical Development, Medical and Regulatory Affairs, for Novo Nordisk in Toronto, Canada.

What brought you to the University of Minnesota Executive MHA program?

There is so much more to healthcare delivery than what we learn in medical school. When I practiced medicine as a physician, I always desired to have better understanding of the healthcare delivery process; not just on the single patient-level, but also on the bigger scope of delivering care in the context of an organized “system” to serve the society on a wider scale and on the larger population-level.

After joining the pharmaceutical industry and serving in senior and executive levels, I became convinced of the unique and incremental value as a physician executive to understand the intricacies of ensuring high quality of care, improving population outcomes, designing appropriate staff compensation strategies, understanding the managed care and reimbursement landscape, understanding the integrated delivery systems, and applying the basics of health-economics, financial management, principles of ethics, and even statistical modeling in healthcare decision-making.

Why Minnesota?

 The MHA program covers all these topics as part of a robust curriculum which also includes other areas of critical importance in health policy, interdisciplinary collaboration, health law, and healthcare management among other interesting courses.

The challenge for me has always been to find a program that is respectful of my demanding full-time work and my extensive business travel. I was very lucky to identity the Executive MHA program at the University of Minnesota which was specifically designed for people in my situation. I didn’t even need to give it a second thought before enthusiastically applying because I was already familiar with the U of MN School of Public Health where I obtained my previous Master’s Degree in Clinical Research. It was just the right thing to do, and I am very glad I made this decision.

What is your current title and position?

Currently I am the Chief Medical Officer and Head of Medical & Scientific Affairs at Novo Nordisk Pharma Limited for Region Japan and Korea. I previously worked at Novo Nordisk Inc USA as Executive Director of Medical & Scientific Affairs before I was commissioned to take the international business assignment in Japan.

Tell us about your move to and new position in Canada.

As I was able to successfully help our affiliate in Japan & Korea for the last four years, I am now making my way back to North America. I was fortunate to be offered an exciting opportunity with my company in Canada beginning in the Spring of 2015. I will serve as the Vice President of Clinical Development, Medical & Regulatory Affairs. Novo Nordisk in Canada is an important part of our North America operations, so I am looking forward to closely collaborate with my colleagues in the U.S. to deliver on our largely shared Balanced Score Card. I am now in the process of relocating from Japan to Toronto with my family.

Where did you receive undergraduate and post-graduate training?

 I received my doctor of medicine degree with honors from the University of Alexandria Medical School, Egypt. My post-doctoral training and medical practice were first at the University of Alexandria hospitals and the Medical Research Institute, then at the Ministry of Health hospitals and private practice. I also trained in pharmaceutical sciences and I obtained a Master’s degree in Clinical Research prior to completing my Executive MHA program at the University of Minnesota.

How was your experience in the Executive MHA program?

 The courses were highly relevant, the delivery was seamless, the fellow students were exceptional, and the program faculty members and administrators were all outstanding. It was truly a positive and rewarding experience.

Has the degree influenced your career?

Absolute yes. The Executive MHA program was a key element of my professional and career development which widened my horizon and successfully prepared me to take on bigger responsibilities.

The learnings were highly applicable in my work and gave me a much stronger appreciation and understanding of the “big picture” of healthcare, not just in the U.S. but also how these concepts may relate to healthcare management overseas. The parallels and connections are abundant between healthcare and pharmaceutical research, drug development, medical affairs and pharmaceutical operations.

This program also helped me develop my skills in leadership, executive management, and organizational effectiveness. The group work with the other MHA students was a unique opportunity to see the different viewpoints from different professional backgrounds and enhanced my ability to engage various stakeholders in my own line of business.

While in school, how did you balance family and work responsibilities?

 I can say that this balance was manageable by simple planning and staying “ahead of the curve” whenever possible. At times it was a little difficult in my case because of traveling frequently across many time zones. But the program design and the way the courses are offered and the assignments are designed with the “working professional” in mind, it really helped me work on a reasonable pace and I was able to successfully finish the program with my cohort as expected even though I had to move to Japan before I finish all my semesters.

~Posted by Mona Rath