Max Wagner, MBA ’26

Max Wagner, MBA ’26, came to Michigan Ross with a background in medicine and a dream to make a meaningful impact in healthcare. To help take his impact to the next level, he chose the Michigan Ross Full-Time MBA Program to strengthen his leadership skills and gain the strategic knowledge needed to navigate complex medical challenges. Discover how he’s applying what he’s learning at Ross to better serve patients and shape the future of healthcare.

What was your role/career prior to enrolling at Ross?

I was pursuing my Doctor of Medicine degree at U-M. I then chose to take a year off to develop my interpersonal skills and expand my lens of care delivery systems through the MBA before starting medical residency.

Why did you choose Michigan Ross? What made this program different from others?

To start, Ross seamlessly integrated with my medical degree, allowing me to balance my passions across both educational programs. Ross offered numerous opportunities to make a meaningful impact in healthcare, locally and globally, aligning with my commitment to medicine while incorporating insights from a business perspective. I was drawn to the supportive Ross community, which I knew would champion my aspirations as I strive to leave a legacy of meaningful impact at the school and build lasting relationships with faculty and classmates. Ultimately, Ross aligned with all my goals as an aspiring physician driven to impact healthcare domestically and abroad.

How would you describe the Ross community?

Welcoming and cohesive. From the first day of the program, I have felt the warmth of my classmates and faculty, as everyone made genuine efforts to connect and build relationships that would grow over our two years together. Despite the demands of balancing both my MD and MBA pursuits, I feel deeply supported by classmates who are each incredibly ambitious in their own unique ways. They inspire me and their diverse perspectives widened my lens not only of medicine, but of the world. With their multicultural backgrounds and wide range of industries, there is never a shortage of unique stories or valuable lessons to learn.

What kinds of action-based learning opportunities have you participated in? What did you find most valuable about the experience? 

The Multidisciplinary Action Project was one of the most meaningful experiences I had at Ross. Our team was tasked with identifying and developing a specialty care center in Uganda to support a larger hospital development initiative. I had the privilege of engaging with local community members and, back on campus, our team tackled the many unique challenges of building a healthcare facility. The experience expanded on my medical school foundation and showed me how to bridge care needs with care delivery in a financially feasible way. I gained not only practical skills but also deeper insight into healthcare systems — lessons I plan to carry forward in my career as a physician.

I also participated in a healthcare case competition focused on strengthening the relationship between patients and healthcare workers. Working alongside a multidisciplinary MBA team, I explored this complex challenge and learned to approach systemic problems from multiple angles and develop thoughtful, scalable solutions.

Beyond the MBA program, I’ve applied my growing business knowledge to enrich my extracurricular and research activities in medical school. From leading a pro bono medical consulting organization to studying the cost-effectiveness of opioid management strategies, I’ve found many ways to integrate my dual training and create impact at the intersection of medicine and business.

What leadership experiences have you found most valuable?

Negotiations during Winter A was one of my most valuable courses. Learning how to navigate conversations and advocate for yourself while balancing the needs of others is an incredibly important skill across all industries. The Sanger Leadership Center also played a significant role throughout my MBA journey. Whether through group coursework or managing team dynamics during MAP, Sanger provided tailored frameworks that helped us strengthen collaboration and navigate the unpredictable challenges that arise in any project. Developing and challenging myself over the past year, I feel confident in my role as an adaptable leader and accountable team member.

What are some of the most valuable takeaways you’ve gained?

The people and the perspective. Ross brings together a diverse group of passionate, energetic students who are eager to learn from and connect with one another. I’ve felt part of a vibrant community that I know will continue to grow even after graduation. I've built lasting relationships that have undoubtedly made me a better friend, classmate, leader, and future physician. Second, I pursued the MBA to gain a broader understanding of medicine and explore the many ways in which care delivery systems can be improved. The combination of specialized business knowledge, particularly related to healthcare systems across the country, and the personal and professional skills I’ve developed to tackle these challenges has defined my education at Ross.

What are your career plans after graduation? How do you feel Ross has prepared you for those plans?

My goal is to pursue a residency in plastic surgery, where I can apply the experiences and skills gained from my MD and MBA to deliver patient-centered care and advocate at the individual and systemic levels. Ross not only provided a strong academic foundation in healthcare systems across the country, but has also helped me develop the interpersonal and leadership skills essential for navigating and leading effective medical teams. In this way, I can continue to innovate new ways to evolve the field of medicine, and do so with strong, capable colleagues alongside me.

What advice would you give students considering applying to the FTMBA Program and/or Ross?

Know what you want to get out of your MBA and embrace the discomfort that comes with a new experience. Business school offers more opportunities than you could possibly take on during your two years here. Take the time to understand your personal and professional goals, create a vision for your education here, and be intentional about how you want to pursue it. That clarity will help you make the most of your time at Ross and build a strong foundation for whatever path you choose after graduation. This all exists under the umbrella that there will be countless new experiences, challenges, and lessons to build you into a well-rounded and driven individual. Embrace this inevitable discomfort with excitement and determination, knowing that regardless of success or failure, they are all opportunities for growth.