CO LLEG E O F BU S I N E S S & H E A LT H A D M I N I S T R AT ION
Spotlight: Dr. Sibu Saha ’03 We love reconnecting with successful alumni
business administration has been very helpful in my pursuit of
and were glad to find out more about
healthcare management.”
Dr. Sibu Saha, a 2003 graduate of COBHA’s
MBA program. Saha, a cardiothoracic surgeon,
maintain his clinical practice while he obtained his degree. He now has 35
is chief of cardiovascular and thoracic
years of clinical practice in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery under
surgery and director of the cardiothoracic
his belt and doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon, according
surgery residency and fellowship programs
to his impressive synopsis, which includes a multitude of leadership
at University of Kentucky Health Care in
positions, governance roles, academic achievements and awards.
Lexington, Kentucky.
Saha received his medical degree from the
about getting through school and using their degree to the fullest,
Rajshahi Medical College at Rajshahi
Saha had a solid suggestion: practice.
Because the MBA was delivered online, Saha was permitted to
When asked what advice he would offer to current MBA students
University in Bangladesh, then completed a fellowship at the Medical
University of South Carolina in Charleston, S.C. He moved swiftly
their choice,” he advised.
through the rigors and ranks of health care, and in 1995, became the
founding director of the heart institute at Central Baptist Hospital
time to serve others. “Community” and “service” (both independently,
in Lexington. That’s when Saha felt he needed some extra guidance.
and together) are hallmarks of the education the University of St. Francis
He had the medical expertise, but now needed to understand how to
provides, and Saha is an alumnus who exemplifies that mission to a T.
manage a business.
He was a founding member of the Bluegrass Indo-American Civic Society,
the University of Kentucky-Fayette County Arboretum, and the First
“When I became the director of the heart institute, I was called to
“I would suggest that MBA students do an internship in the field of Perhaps the most impressive thing about Saha is that he’s able to find
attend many management meetings and felt inadequate while
Security Bank of Lexington. During his journey, he became a presidential
participating in the meetings. The language of the business side of
fellow at University of Kentucky and also established the Saha Foundation
healthcare was quite new to me. This led me to pursue my MBA at
for Cardiovascular Research and Education.
USF,” Saha explained.
nurtures me. There is a joy in giving,” said Saha.
“Since then,” he said, “I have been involved in many executive
“I was taught by my family to give back to the community that
leadership roles at the University of Kentucky. My education in
YO U R P I CK OF INTER NSHIPS COBHA currently has more internships...than students! That’s something really important for students seeking a
the local homeless shelter in order to share their talent with
competitive business degree to know. USF has long believed
the world. In particular, Management students and students
that internships are a key to success and our alumni can tell
studying Transportation and Logistics have access to intern-
you it’s true (see the nearby advice of Dr. Saha). Most of
ships that will prepare them well for the future. For more
COBHA’s programs have some form of experiential learning or
information on obtaining an internship, or if you’re an alum or
service built into the curriculum or daily coursework—whether
friend of USF with internship opportunities within your
it’s visits to well-known companies in Chicago, participation in
company for students, contact Jeanne Washburn, COBHA’s
national competitions, overseas travel or study, or working at
assistant dean, at 815-740-3591 or jwashburn@stfrancis.edu.
A Year of Service / 2017–2018
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