Asia Brannon, UNC Kenan-Flagler’s MBA Class of 2028
Age: 28
Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of North Carolina at Greensboro – Biology
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Three years of medical school at UNC School of Medicine; currently pursuing a dual MD/MBA degree.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
As an MD/MBA student, I am interested in opening my own clinic or pursuing a leadership role within a hospital system. Through my experiences working in hospitals, I have seen how decisions that directly affect patients are sometimes made by individuals without firsthand patient-care experience. As a future physician, I want to be part of those conversations and help shape policies and systems that improve patient outcomes. My decision to pursue an MBA became clear after serving for a year as a co-director of a student-run clinic where I discovered how passionate I am about improving the systems that shape the patient experience and ensuring that vulnerable populations receive high-quality care. I recognize that healthcare is a business, and I want to develop the business acumen necessary to lead effectively, build credibility, strengthen my management skills and create meaningful connections within the field.
Why did you choose UNC Kenan-Flagler? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose UNC Kenan-Flagler because of the seamless integration between the School of Medicine and the MBA program. The ability to transfer credits toward my medical degree allows me to complete the MBA in one year and return to medical school without significantly extending my training, as I would have if I had attended a separate MBA program. UNC Kenan-Flagler’s strong reputation in healthcare, collaborative culture, leadership development opportunities and connection to the broader UNC healthcare community also made it an excellent fit for my goals. I was looking for a program that would complement my clinical training while preparing me to become a more effective healthcare leader and UNC offered that combination.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2028?
As a medical student, I bring firsthand insight into patient care and the challenges patients face when navigating the healthcare system, including limited access because of the lack of insurance, difficulty finding providers who accept their insurance, and the burden of out-of-pocket costs. I hope to use this perspective to contribute to conversations about healthcare and strengthen opportunities for students interested in the industry, including through the Healthcare Club. I also look forward to applying my clinical experience during the STAR project, particularly if I have the opportunity to work with a healthcare-related organization. My goal is to help connect business decisions to their real-world impact on patients.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I used to run cross-country and I am proud of how far I have come, from initially being unable to run a mile to running more than five miles without stopping. That experience taught me how powerful mindset can be because you often have to push past the moment when you feel like you cannot continue, and doing so builds both physical and mental strength. One of my goals during my first year in the MBA program is to return to long-distance running.
Post-MBA career interests:
Immediately after completing my MBA, I plan to return to medical school and focus on becoming the best physician I can be by completing residency in internal medicine. My long-term goal is to specialize in cardiology and open my own clinic or pursue a leadership role in hospital administration.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would absolutely talk with other MD/MBA students and physicians about their experiences and perspectives. Those conversations helped me evaluate whether an MBA was the right choice for my career goals and strengthened my confidence in my decision. They were especially helpful during my interview because I had a clear understanding of who I was, where I wanted to go and how an MBA would help me get there. Speaking with people who had pursued similar paths also helped me articulate the unique value of combining medical and business training.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would have taken the GRE, particularly because a strong score may have made me more competitive for full-ride scholarships. I also would have applied through the Consortium, which offers scholarship and networking opportunities.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I would have skipped the interview process — or at least the uncertainty that comes with it. Interviews can make me nervous because I cannot anticipate every question or control exactly how the conversation will unfold. What helped me was preparing thoroughly for the types of questions I expected to receive and developing several examples that I could draw from in different situations. That preparation gave me the confidence to respond thoughtfully, even when I received an unexpected question.
What is your initial impression of the UNC Kenan-Flagler students/culture/community?
I was unable to attend the admitted students’ events before the start of the MBA program, so orientation was my first opportunity to meet the staff and my classmates. I was immediately struck by how welcoming and supportive the community is, particularly my peers. Everyone seems genuinely eager to meet new people and build connections, and I never felt alone because someone was always inviting me to sit with them, start a conversations or join a group. That sense of belonging made a strong impression on me and confirmed that UNC Kenan-Flagler was the right community for me.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I plan to join the Healthcare Club and engage with the Center for the Business of Health. These organizations will help me deepen my understanding of healthcare from a business and operational perspective while providing opportunities to connect with healthcare leaders and industry experts. I am particularly interested in learning how healthcare organizations approach strategy, patient access, quality improvement and organizational leadership, and I hope these relationships will help me identify opportunities to contribute meaningfully to the future of healthcare.
What is one thing you have learned about UNC Kenan-Flagler that has surprised you?
I have been surprised by how many group projects are incorporated into the curriculum. In medical school, grades and evaluations are largely based on individual performance, so working collaboratively on assignments has been a different but refreshing experience. I have enjoyed working with teammates from different academic and professional backgrounds because their perspectives have challenged me to think differently, and applying course concepts to real projects has helped deepen my understanding of the material.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am most excited about participating in the STAR program because I look forward to applying what I learn in the classroom to a real-world business challenge, collaborating with my classmates and developing recommendations for an organization.
