By Will Wieters
Patrick Ford
Patrick Ford spent over a decade at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) before deciding it was time to take the next step in his career. With experience in various pharmacy leadership roles, including Pharmacy Supervisor of the Belle Meade location, he was ready to expand his expertise and advance his current career position. Seeking a structured way to build upon his business acumen and leadership skills, he sought out the Vanderbilt Master of Management in Health Care (MMHC) program—a decision that would prove pivotal, almost immediately, in his career growth.
Ford had been aware of the Vanderbilt MMHC program through colleagues who had completed it before him. The one-year timeline, designed for working healthcare professionals, ultimately aligned with his needs and necessary flexibility—a common concern of professionals in the healthcare industry. While traditional MBA programs require multiple years of study with rigid, in-class obligations, MMHC’s accelerated format allowed Ford the ability to integrate coursework into daily responsibilities without stepping away from his job.
Enrolling in August 2023, Ford immediately found the program’s curriculum applicable to his role. He gained insights into healthcare operations, leadership strategy, and financial management—knowledge that was made digestible to students with limited familiarity that quickly began influencing his work. Ford was able to implement these learned concepts to make operations at the Belle Meade location more efficient, and by early 2024, his director recognized his evolving skill set and advocated for his promotion to Pharmacy Manager—a newly-formed position. By February, the promotion became official, expanding Ford’s responsibilities and leadership.
The Vanderbilt MMHC program also strengthened Ford’s ability to engage with higher-up executives. With a background in pharmacy, he had previously been more focused on clinical operations. However, through the program, Ford developed a deeper understanding of the business side of healthcare, including regulatory compliance, financial sustainability, and organizational efficiency. His expanded knowledge base prepared him for his next transition.
In September 2024, Ford completed the MMHC program, and shortly thereafter, a role opened within his department—Program Director of Pharmacy Regulatory Compliance and Policy. The position, focusing on spearheading compliance programs and maintaining healthcare regulations, perfectly aligned with Ford’s evolving expertise. In October, Ford stepped into his new role, transitioning from pharmaceutical operations to the administrative and policy side of VUMC.
Now, Ford manages regulatory programs, ensuring compliance with ever-evolving policies, collaborating with leadership across departments to maintain best practices. His work extends beyond pharmacy, influencing the broader hospital operations and provider policies. He attributes his ongoing career success to the Vanderbilt MMHC program for providing both the necessary knowledge and professional network that helped facilitate these career transitions in such a short period of time.
“We had a much tighter group, so it allowed us to have more interactions in class and more conversations with different people from different backgrounds,” he explained. “Those connections that were made in class and those experiences really helped me understand the intricacies of different areas I hadn’t been exposed to previously.”
He also highlights the program’s impact on his ability to navigate high-level discussions. “A lot of discussions we had particularly around payer mix, reimbursements, and penalties really opened my eyes to how much power insurance companies have over the solvency of healthcare organizations,” Ford said. “Knowing how to navigate that and knowing how to play to the strengths of your organization and maximize profits is crucial.”
Looking back, Ford sees the Vanderbilt MMHC program as a key factor in his rapid career progression. “I don’t know that I would have gotten the promotion as quickly from supervisor to manager without being in the program,” he reflected. “I think the MMHC program was crucial in allowing that to happen.”
For prospective MMHC students, his advice is simple: trust the process and stay engaged. “The year’s going to go by either way,” he said. “If you want to take the time and invest in that, definitely go for it, because the benefits of it have been great.”
Click through the timeline below to see a visual of Patrick Ford’s path to promotion.