Medical devices sales executives solidifying leadership skills with Professional MBA program

The Moore School Professional MBA program prepares professionals from all industries, including the life sciences, to take on higher leadership roles. The skills learned through the Professional MBA program help those with life sciences careers have a broader understanding about business and strategic decision-making as managers. Having a greater understanding about the financing, supply chain and other business aspects of an organization are imperative for those in leadership roles.

John Jameson (’01 finance and USC geography, ’23 MBA expected graduation) chose to enroll in the Professional MBA program so he can continue building momentum with Smith & Nephew, an orthopedic device manufacturer. Having spent close to 20 years with the company, Jameson is the director of sales, managing his own sales team and more than $30 million in total annual revenue for Smith & Nephew in the Carolinas.

“My responsibilities include budgeting, training and mentoring medical device sales representatives to sell, market and service our product offering,” he said. “I also develop relationships with orthopedic surgeons and health care executive teams to develop strategic partnerships focused on best-in-class patient care at the most economical price.”

For Jameson, getting an MBA was necessary to acquire a skillset in business analytics. He says it is a skill needed in today’s world for his profession. The Moore School’s focus around the subject is a big reason why Jameson picked USC and the Professional MBA program.

“My role is to bridge the gap between patient care and the economics of how health care corporations run their business,” he said. “The Moore School PMBA program will improve my data analysis skills and provide the foundation needed to run a successful business in today’s fluid competitive life sciences space.”

Like Jameson, Kenneth Kinslow (’15 USC exercise science, ’22 MBA expected graduation) works with orthopedic devices as a senior orthopedic trauma consultant for DePuy Synthes Trauma, a Johnson & Johnson company.

“I am responsible for account support at many hospitals, mainly in the operating room ensuring proper use and handling of our instruments and implants,” he said. “I also handle inventory management, pricing and contracting issues and opportunities with my accounts.”

Kinslow chose to pursue an MBA for a few reasons. He says career advancement and Johnson & Johnson’s support of employee education were critical factors in his decision to pursue an MBA.

He chose the Professional MBA program so he could continue building momentum in his career. He specifically chose USC because of the Moore School’s reputation and his previous affiliation with the university.

As he enters the final year of the Professional MBA program, Kinslow says he’s learned about several concepts that can help him in his current position and beyond.

“I have been able to tie concepts from marketing, project management, competing through people, accounting — Excel tips and tricks — and others to my job,” he said.

Like his colleagues, Professional MBA program student Sampat Nidadavolu (’23 MBA expected graduation) is pursuing his MBA to acquire a stronger business acumen that will assist him in his current life sciences career. Nidadavolu works for Palmetto GBA as a biomedical engineer. He reviews and assesses medical devices that will be used for various health care purposes. He also assists with research and aids in the developments for Medicare policy.

As Nidadavolu begins his second semester in the Professional MBA program, he says he has already learned a lot in a brief period of time.

“In my job, I work on government contracts and there is a lot of data involved, both in the analysis we do and the research and testing I do in my role,” he said. “As I progress further in the program, I anticipate learning more skills and tools in data and business analysis that will help with the work I do and the people I interact with, both internally and externally.”

In the future, all three life science professionals would like to advance their careers and help create products and programs that help bring value to surgeons and patients alike.

“Engineers are very rare in the health care field but a necessary component, and I would like to see this type of role expand in the industry,” Nidadavolu said. “I want to use the skills I learn in the Professional MBA program to help improve myself, my team and my organization.”

Nidadavolu, Kinslow and Jameson agree completing their MBA degree will set them apart from their current colleagues in the industry.

“Acquiring an MBA will elevate me above the rest of the candidates, laying the foundation to achieve my goals and help make a difference in today’s world of health care,” Jameson added.

-James Culbertson