Michael Donarski advanced to the role of Chief Operating Officer at an Oregon healthcare management organization through years of operational and leadership experience. He didn’t hold an advanced degree in business, however, and over time he began to understand why an MBA is essential for senior leaders.
“I’m in my 50s and in the later stage of my career, but this kind of always eluded me,” he said, noting that earning the degree was a long-term goal never fulfilled.
“Many of my partners are MBAs already, and I want to ensure I’m maximizing my value to our organization and our community as an executive leader,” he said, citing knowledge gaps that previously kept him from collaborating more robustly with colleagues.
He enrolled in Southern Oregon University’s online MBA with a Concentration in Healthcare Administration for a credential that would build on his professional experience with specialized coursework in leadership and strategic expertise.
The flexibility of the program enabled Michael to learn on his timeline, delving deeper into business and healthcare rather than moving faster simply because he could. He wanted to explore all the program had to offer as he prepared for the next decade of his career.
“This was an investment of my time as well as financially — I wanted to get the most out of it,” he said. “That’s why I picked SOU.”
Once he began his online MBA classes, Michael knew he’d made the right choice. He found the faculty supportive and appreciated the consistency in how professors communicated, organized materials, and posted content for students. He says knowing what to expect made earning an MBA manageable while working full time.
“Once you get through your first course, you’re really set up to be even more successful in the second one,” he said.
Michael was also struck by how directly the coursework mapped to the challenges he and his colleagues navigate every day. “The program has helped in how we communicate with partners, lead programs, make decisions, and look at things strategically from a budget standpoint,” he said.
He was most surprised by the level of collaboration he enjoyed with his MBA peers, especially during projects with classmates who were located across the country. “You just feel like you’re working in the same room,” he said, comparing the group dynamic to in-person teamwork.
MBA and Beyond
Michael completed his MBA with enhanced decision-making, strategic budgeting, and communication skills that helped him better serve his partners and healthcare clients. Looking ahead, he hopes to continue advancing professionally and ultimately finish his career as a CEO.
“That’s my ultimate goal, and I feel far more confident now that if that role came my way, I’d have a real shot at it,” he said, adding that he is now an executive job candidate who can check every box for an employer.
Michael believes the personal enrichment that comes with earning an MBA is equally meaningful. “I think the most rewarding part is just how I feel about myself,” he shared, noting that his success proves it’s never too late for education to change your life.
“No one can take it away. It doesn’t matter what job you have or what you do, you will always have this experience,” he said. “It’s priceless. Absolutely.”
Grow Your Expertise at Any Stage in Your Career with an MBA from Southern Oregon University Online
Southern Oregon University’s online MBA with a Concentration in Healthcare Administration program prepares you to lead employees, projects, and organizations in this dynamic and evolving industry. Build the advanced accounting, finance, management, and policy skills to keep healthcare systems and practices running smoothly, from personnel and budgeting to technology and operations.
Gain a new perspective on the ethical and legal aspects of doing business in a changing economic climate and complex social landscape. Explore organizational behavior through the lens of group dynamics, conflict resolution, power structures, and cultural competency. Examine real-world business cases and operations in a graduate research project of your design and an intensive capstone experience that showcases your advanced MBA skillset.
You can complete the program in as few as 16 months with 7-week online courses available 24/7, and study whenever it’s convenient while working full time.
The SOU Online MBA program offers seven concentration areas to focus your elective studies in the following career fields:
- Accounting
- Business Analytics
- Corporate Sustainability
- Finance
- Healthcare Administration
- Information Analysis & Decision-Making
- Marketing
- Generalist (custom tailored focus)
Prepare for the future of business and achieve your career goals faster with a flexible online MBA program from SOU.
