MBA Capstone Project Becomes Real-Life Healthcare Clinic in Overland Park

The work Rockhurst students do in the classroom often doesn’t stay in the classroom, and instead makes a true impact in the real world.

A Rockhurst MBA team completed a capstone project that led Pediatric Associates Kansas City to open a new clinic in Overland Park.

Mike Paar, Dr. Saba Siddiqi, Matt Seifert, Nick Timmons, Amin Wakas, Alexander Wegener and Brian White were all part of a Rockhurst team that helped determine if there was enough demand for a new PA medical clinic – and if so, where?

“They already had two pre-existing clinics (Lee’s Summit and The Plaza), but they were interested in exploring other locations,” Dr. Siddiqi said. “Based on our extensive qualitative and quantitative research, we were able to provide them with some recommendations. Fast forward two years later and they opened a clinic where we recommended in south Overland Park. None my team members or I anticipated this happening, but it was very exciting when it came to fruition.”

The team was assigned to the team as part of the MBA program but they chose this particular business. A family member of Brian White is a doctor with the company, which gave the team access to medical professionals and office managers for further research and involvement.

The range of backgrounds on the team allowed the group to divide the project so they could each maximize their individual skill sets.

“We had a very diverse group of professionals working on our team,” Seifert said. “A doctor, a lawyer, an accountant, a project manager, etc. We broke the project into areas that catered to each person’s subject-matter expertise.  As a result, each person stepped up and brought forth a piece of the project that was high-quality in nature.”

Dr. Siddiqi’s background in medicine proved valuable.

“We had a team of qualified individuals with so many diverse backgrounds, including my background in medicine, which helped a great deal when I went and had conversations with the pediatrician and his staff,” said, Siddiqi, who is now a group medical director at Intouch Group.

“His clinic manager helped a great deal with information regarding the clinic, which further helped us with our research insights.”

Rockhurst faculty lent a hand as well.

“And a lot of help from faculty on decision-making and providing examples of previous work,” said Wakas, who works for a big four consulting firm.

The team presented the project and went their separate ways as new MBA graduates. Two years later they got the news that Pediatric Associates was using their findings to open its new clinic.

“It was so unexpected but flattering,” Dr. Siddiqi said. “We were so excited when we heard the news and had people reaching out to us saying this is a great case study for the MBA Capstone project. We felt like all our hard work paid off in the end with such a great outcome. It actually came to fruition, which was rewarding.”

For Seifert, this new connection to Pediatric Associates went to another level and his familiarity with the company came into play for an important life decision.

“When we found out [they were using our suggestion], my wife and I were expecting parents – the timing was great!” he said. “I lobbied to join PA knowing the stellar client reviews our team had sifted through and, frankly, I wanted to see the new place! Fast forward a few years… we are now expecting #2 and remain happy PA clients.

“It was neat taking my son into PA for the first time knowing we had a small role in it coming to life,” Seifert said.

Seifert was helped in his decision to pursue an MBA at Rockhurst by his co-workers.

“Rockhurst has an outstanding reputation amongst my peers at Blue KC,” he said. “I was immediately able to understand why upon touring the campus and listening to the benefits the MBA program. This was a tough project.  I am sure many similar assignments exist in other MBA programs; that said, I venture to guess not many make it to the implementation stages. The MBA program at Rockhurst pushed me out of my routine/comfort level. It also inspired confidence. I know that if a sticky situation, tough project, presentation, etc. awaits – I have the skillset needed to tackle it.”

Wakas did his undergraduate work at UMKC but chose Rockhurst for an MBA because of its U.S. News ranking, RU being part of the Jesuit network, and its faculty and staff.

“It aligned with where my career was to get the max benefit from an MBA,” Wakas said. “I was already working for a big four consulting firm and had five years of professional experience and an MBA was an additional credential that could prove handy (and has) in my career. It allowed me the ability to learn and cooperate with others to further whatever project we were working on.”

Dr. Siddiqi, who is from Long Island, New York, but earned his M.D. at the University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland, said she chose Rockhurst because of the various courses and options offered.

“I also really loved meeting with admin and teachers and felt it was the right fit for me,” she said. “There just seemed like more opportunity here than the rest of the other MBA programs I researched.”

The MBA program helped Dr. Siddiqi with strategy skills, effective presentation abilities, and changing his perspective and way of thinking as they relate to competitive landscapes and global business markets. However, the leadership skills she developed have proved beneficial beyond both his office and the new office he helped create for Pediatric Associates.

“I helped Intouch Group team up with the Rotary Clubs of Kansas and Missouri to shed light on the U.S. child trafficking epidemic,” she said. “Together, the organizations and I have launched the first ‘Students Stopping Traffic’ contest to inspire national high school students to create a compelling awareness campaign to combat trafficking in their own communities.”