Stephanie Guerin

What challenges did you face entering a healthcare-focused program from a different industry, and how did you overcome them?

Initially, I definitely felt like my head was spinning with all of the new acronyms, disease names, and reimbursement concepts that everyone else seemed to already understand. It was a bit overwhelming and had me questioning if I was in the right place at times. To overcome this - I did some of my own research to catch up, didn't hold back in asking peers or professors if I wasn't clear on something, but mostly just reminded myself I wasn't accepted into the program because they thought I had healthcare knowledge, but actually because they valued the fact that I didn't and could bring a different perspective to the material and the class. Over time any fears or insecurities around this quickly diminished!

What advice would you give to someone who isn’t sure if their skills are transferable to MCiM?

I would say that MCIM is so much more than just healthcare, or just business and everyone's unique backgrounds and personalities enhanced learning for others in ways that are hard to imagine until you experience a mixed classroom like MCIM offers. What we learned about spanned such a wide array of topics like leadership, marketing, finance, project management, product management, data analytics, innovation, and so much more. Whatever your background is, if your passions lie in this space, then the unique skills you bring forth will shine through at some point in the program.

Can you share an opportunity or connection from the MCiM network that left a meaningful impression on you?

Being a part of MCiM helped unlock many opportunities I never really saw myself pursuing before joining the program, however I think the most impactful for me was the opportunity to work on building a start-up with my classmate, Jonah! During the year we built a business plan, pitched to VCs, presented at a Demo Day, collaborated with a Stanford lab, and so much more. The program really gave me the confidence to dive into that experience and through it I learned how to translate clinical problems into actionable, scalable business solutions. It also showed me the power of having a diverse, mission-driven network around you — people who aren’t afraid to challenge your thinking, share resources, and celebrate your wins. That connection with Jonah, and the broader MCiM community, reminded me that healthcare innovation isn’t something you do alone, and that’s a lesson I’ll carry forward in everything I take on next.

What will you miss most about being in the classroom and learning alongside your peers and faculty?

I will miss the community that I found with my classmates and the passion that I felt from my peers and faculty every time I stepped into the classroom. It is pretty rare to be surrounded by a group of people who similarly care so deeply about the challenges our world faces around healthcare, and to get to talk endlessly about how to solve these issues with cutting edge innovation. While the onsite days were long, I always left feeling so mentally energized and inspired by the conversations we had each day. I am confident these connections and conversations will last long beyond this program, though!