HSM Student Profile: Dalia Rais
Prior Education: University of Arizona, Business Administration
Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Flight Chief (Senior Manager) of Healthcare Operations, Air Force Special Operations Command
Hometown: Barranquilla, Colombia
“Immigrant, veteran, and first-generation student interested in the intersection of quality care and affordability in health care.”
Fun Fact About Myself: I had a pet rooster growing up. I’d pass a soccer ball to him, and he would try to peck it to death; he was incredibly mean, but I loved him so much.
The MBA program is renowned for its “Team Fuqua” culture, which is predicated on six paired principles: Authentic Engagement, Supportive Ambition, Collective Diversity, Impactful Stewardship, Loyal Community, and Uncompromising Integrity. Which of these resonates most with you – and what does that principle demand of you as a Fuqua MBA?
Supportive ambition has always been a principle I’ve held near-and-dear to my heart. From playing sports from a young age to a 12-year military stint, I’ve been driven by the notion that excellence is best achieved through the power of teamwork. This core principle will guide me to push my Fuqua teammates to reach their highest potential while learning from them how I can become a better version of myself, too.
Aside from your classmates and school culture, what was the key part of Duke Fuqua’s MBA curriculum programming that led you to choose this business school, and why was it so important to you?
I was particularly drawn to Fuqua’s Center for Health Sector Management (HSM). Losing my father to heart disease at a young age and serving my country as a medical professional ignited a deep passion in me for improving health care delivery on a large scale. Fuqua’s HSM program offers the comprehensive education and tools needed to drive meaningful change in the industry.
What has been your first impression of the Fuqua MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far. Tell us your best Fuqua story so far. My first impression was that Fuqua students will stop at nothing to help each other succeed in any way they can. Team Fuqua is not just a buzzword. As a first-year student, I and several peers, have been involved in early recruiting, often times for the same internship positions. We’ve shared every resource we found and helped each other prepare for interviews. While this would be counterintuitive to one’s professional goals at some programs, Fuquans genuinely want to see each other succeed, even when contending for the same roles.