As a physician, Chenell Donadee (MBA ’23) shares how a desire to improve patient care at scale drove her to pursue an executive MBA, how the program gave her the confidence to lead complex teams, and how this busy mother of two enjoys her downtime.  

Chenell, who grew up in Canfield, Ohio, always had a passion for science and a deep commitment to helping others. Torn between pursuing biology research and a career as a physician, her path became clear during a college summer spent volunteering at a homeless medical clinic in Orlando. The experience was profoundly rewarding and solidified her decision to become a doctor. “It was then I realized that practicing medicine was how I wanted to contribute,” Chenell reflects.

Her medical journey led her to specialize in pulmonary and critical care medicine. After completing her fellowship at UPMC in Pittsburgh, she began working as an ICU physician. As she gained experience, Chenell noticed a recurring challenge—many of the barriers to optimal patient care were systemic and bedside care alone couldn't solve them. “This realization was a turning point,” she shares. “I knew I wanted to do more than treat individual patients. I wanted to improve the system for everyone.”

This aspiration guided Chenell toward administrative roles, starting within UPMC’s academic department and gradually expanding to system-wide responsibilities as UPMC grew from a handful of hospitals to a sprawling network of more than 40 facilities across Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland. Her focus on quality improvement and standardization became a cornerstone of her leadership. Her work has led to tangible improvements, such as implementing guideline-based treatments that reduced ventilation times for ICU patients, improving outcomes, and optimizing resources. These efforts have also supported UPMC’s growth, enabling the organization to improve medical services while maintaining financial sustainability.

Pursuing an Executive MBA: a foundation for leadership and collaboration
As her administrative roles grew more complex, Chenell realized she needed a stronger foundation in business, prompting her to pursue an Executive MBA at NYU Stern in Washington, D.C. The program’s weekend format fit her demanding schedule as a physician and a mother of two young children.

“The MBA gave me the knowledge, confidence, and leadership skills to excel in cross-functional teams,” Chenell explains. Working with IT professionals, business leaders, and clinicians requires bridging different terminologies and perspectives. The MBA also prepared her for unexpected responsibilities, such as overseeing UPMC’s pharmacy operations. “Courses like Nate Pettit’s leadership class and Helio Garcia’s crisis management course were directly applicable to my work,” she notes. But it was the flexibility of the program’s once a month weekend format that really drew her in. “Being able to be there and focus solely on being at School was a huge value,” shared Chenell. 

Chenell Donadee at the hospital

Chenell found the diversity of the Stern cohort particularly enriching. “Learning alongside classmates from industries as varied as brewing and cosmetics broadened my perspective,” she says. But she bonded with the other mothers in the program. “I really enjoyed working with the other women in the program who are also mothers. They all know how to get stuff done.”  

When she’s not working, Chenell makes time for her young family. She attends her children’s sports games and spends time outdoors swimming, hiking, and traveling, with recent vacations to Bethany Beach and a Christmas trip to the Bahamas.

Chenell also stays connected to her Stern community through alumni communications and her class WhatsApp group. The group remains an active resource for career advice, job opportunities, and life updates, exemplifying the lasting bonds formed during the program.