One of the implicit goals we have at the Engler College of Business is to instill the idea of being a lifelong learner. But sometimes we attract students who have already embraced that idea, and come to us in search of degrees to add to their lengthy list of academic accomplishments.
Kevin Furlong is one of those rare individuals. He completed an undergraduate degree, and then spread across his 59 years he completed a Medical school degree and four-year Pharmacy degree. He is now one year into his MBA at WT, this yet another puzzle piece in his quest not only to acquire knowledge, but also to enhance his career. He is employed at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and a board-certified endocrinologist, he has an insatiable appetite to know more.
He didn’t start out on this road, though, because as a youth, he wanted to study music for a career. His father, though, was not having it. “He sat me down and said, ‘Kev…you like the house you live in? You like the cars in the driveway? You like that I am paying for your college education? I’m not paying for music school. You’re not going to go’,” he recalled with a laugh.
And that was that. Kevin studied commerce and engineering at Drexel, and found himself in sales, which was not to his liking. He then earned his Pharmacy degree, yet felt rudderless as a pharmacist. “I didn’t like being one. I felt like a caged animal,” he said. “I did that for three years, and then decided, ‘I’m going to medical school. Now or never’.”
He wanted more involvement in patient care, much more than doling out pills could ever offer. “I did four years of Med school and then four years of residency in internal medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Then I did an endocrinology fellowship for two years.” After he finished all of this, they asked him to stay on as faculty. Kevin is now Professor of Medicine, involved in teaching and curriculum for the medical students. He has also done research for the National Institutes of Health.
But wait, there’s more. Kevin never gave up on his love of music. He is also an accomplished drummer, and has also sat in occasionally as a drummer with the popular hard rock band Breaking Benjamin. Turns out that band founder and frontman Benjamin Burnley was a patient of his about 15 years ago. One thing led to another, talk turned to music, and Burnley invited Kevin to fill in when needed. A concertgoer even captured it on video and posted it to YouTube.
Kevin didn’t need to listen to inner voices or anything. He just did it. When you are your own drummer, it’s always easy to follow the beat. He may be an endocrinologist by day, but he stays active as musical timekeeper when called upon by Burnley or others . Call it his alter ego.
One year into his MBA, Kevin is enjoying collaborating with peers from across the US. Many of the things he learned while earning his medical and pharmacy degrees make sense in a different light now, especially when viewed through the lens of balance sheets and Marketing strategies.
Kevin is enamored of the engagement he has found in his classes. Between team projects and discussion boards, he feels as connected with his classmates as if they were all here in person. He finds the teamwork aspect to be very rewarding. “It is the means to the end that is the enriching part.”
How Kevin found WTY in the first place illustrates the importance of university rankings. “I went on U.S. News & World Report, searched top online business schools with an emphasis in healthcare, and WT came up. That’s how I picked it,” he explained. “I love the school. The teachers are so supportive. I could not speak highly enough about the quality of education. I think you are phenomenal at what you do.”
It is uncertain if the MBA is the end of the academic road for Kevin, or whether he will pursue yet another degree. Regardless, one thing is definite: The beat goes on.
“I am a practicing physician, educator, administrator. I love what I do, helping people. It is my calling. It is the best job on the planet,” he summarized. “Having a job where I can improve the quality of life of people is what it’s all about.”