Aaron Patterson
“As a proud member of this cohort, I can’t emphasize enough the value of peer teams. No one operates at 100% every week—it’s not the nature of business or humanity. Our team, through proactive communication, shifts the weight of classes at a doable interval. It creates a rhythm where we expect each member to be a teacher one week, a student the next, and—most importantly—human the whole time.”
MSQM: Health Analytics
Industry:
Prior Education:
Southern Adventist University
Mass Communication / Media Studies / Biblical Languages
Reflections
Many years ago, my brother underwent a cardiac event that left him comatose, his brain sustaining over an hour without oxygen. Paramedics airlifted him to AdventHealth Orlando, where the care he received saved his life and preserved his neurological function. He has since graduated from Georgia Tech and works as a Data Scientist at AdventHealth.
Witnessing his recovery set health care on my heart, and my lack of clinical savvy naturally drew me to the business world within it. His career in data science further opened my eyes to how data can elevate health care decisions, shifting them from intuitive to intentional.
Before Fuqua
I’m a Leadership Resident in the Strategy track at AdventHealth, part of an intensive three-year rotational program designed to develop future health care executives. In my first year, I completed rotations in corporate strategy, interim chief of staff to the group CEO, mergers & acquisitions, and Central Florida strategy & growth. Now in my second year, I’m working with our Tampa strategy and operations teams, serving as Chief of Staff to the Divisional CEO. I will continue rotating throughout AdventHealth's footprint in Strategy and Operations rotations for the remaining duration of the MSQM degree.
After Fuqua
I plan to move into a strategic operations role at AdventHealth, applying the data literacy, forecasting, and scenario planning skills I’ve developed through Fuqua’s MSQM: Health Analytics program, while continuing to deepen my knowledge of the health care industry. My residency experience paired with this degree will position me as a strong candidate for a management role within AdventHealth.
Advice for Prospective Students
- There are two things you should be proud to see on a diploma: your name and the name of the school you choose--choose it well.
- Don't conflate rigorous with hostile--academics at Duke are difficult, but finding yourself without the support you need is impossible.
- Don't wear light blue.
MSQM:HA students "meet" in Durham without leaving home
Global Executive MBA
Top Areas of Career Focus
Financial Services (20%)
Consulting (5%)
Sales/Business Development (5%)
Energy/Chemical/Gas (9%)
Marketing/PR/Advertising (6%)
Consumer Goods (3%)
Average Age
Average Work Experience
Countries Represented
Non-US Citizenship
Women
Master of Management Studies: Duke Kunshan University
Undergraduate Majors
Business/Accounting (51%)
Economics (22%)
Liberal Arts (14%)
Engineering/Natural Sciences (10%)
Other (4%)
Average Age
Average Work Experience
Countries Represented
Non-US Citizenship
Women
Master of Management Studies: Foundations of Business
Undergraduate Majors
Liberal Arts (33%)
Business/Accounting (24%)
Engineering/Natural Sciences (18%)
Economics (17%)
Other (8%)
Average Age
Average Work Experience
Countries Represented
Non-US Citizenship
Women
Weekend Executive MBA
Top Areas of Career Focus
IT (16%)
Financial Services (14%)
Health Care/Health Services (10%)
Manufacturing/Operations (9%)
Sales/Business Development (8%)
Consulting (8%)