Great Debate: Advanced degrees and career paths: Limitless Potential or Limited Value?

Monday, October 19, 2026

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM PT

Location: Petree Hall C

Moderator(s)

Gene C. Liu, MD, MMM

Private Practice
Cedars-Sinai
Los Angeles, CA, United States

Panelist(s)

Andrew J. Tompkins, MD, MBA

Partner
Ohio ENT & Allergy Physicians
Columbus, OH, United States
Rodney J. Taylor, MD MSPH MBA

Professor and Chair
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD, United States
Julie L. Wei, MD MMM FAAP

Professor of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Cincinnati Children's Hospital and Medical Center
Orlando, FL, United States
Ashley M. Nassiri, MD

Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery (Otology/Neurotology)
University of Colorado School of Medicine
Aurora, Colorado, United States

Disclosure(s):

Andrew J. Tompkins, MD, MBA:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

This “Great Debate” session will explore the role of advanced degrees in shaping careers across academic medicine, privademics, and private practice. Four physicians with diverse career paths will debate whether advanced degrees are worth the investment, how much the specific degree matters, and when in a physician’s career additional training may provide the greatest value. Through contrasting perspectives, attendees will gain practical insight into how to align degree choice, timing, and opportunity cost with their own professional goals.

Learning Objectives:

Describe the potential benefits, limitations, and opportunity costs of pursuing an advanced degree during a medical career.
Compare different advanced degree pathways, including MBA, MMM, MPH, MHA, and related programs, and assess how each may align with distinct professional goals.
Evaluate how career stage, leadership opportunities, financial considerations, and professional trajectory influence the optimal timing of advanced degree training.