How Dr. Benjamin Lee '22 MBA's Eller Executive MBA Shaped His Path to Global Recognition
Dr. Benjamin Lee ’22 MBA’s recent induction as a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow marks a milestone in a career defined by both medical and administrative leadership. The recognition, granted by one of the world’s oldest professional medical institutions, honors physicians with established international reputations. “It’s a recognition of peers, to say, you’re respected and acknowledged on the international scene,” Lee explains.
Lee began the Eller Executive MBA program during the COVID-19 pandemic, seeking to strengthen his leadership and management skills while continuing his surgical work. His commitment was clear from the start, attending his first class from the operation room, in between surgeries, a moment that made a lasting impression on the faculty and his cohort.
When Lee joined the University of Arizona nearly a decade ago, urology was a small division within the Department of Surgery. At the time, there were only four faculty members, the residency program was on warning status, and research output was limited. Lee set out to build the program into an independent department, working with university leadership and the Arizona Board of Regents to make it happen. In 2019, those efforts succeeded.
Today, the Department of Urology includes nine university faculty, three VA faculty, seven nurse practitioners, 17 clinical staff, and two PhD researchers. Its research program at one point ranked 33rd nationally.
While enrolled in the Executive MBA program, Lee was named chair of the Department of Urology. He credits the program with giving him the tools to lead effectively in both clinical and administrative settings. “It gave me leadership skills that I use every day,” he says. “It’s helpful to have the statistical, financial, and accounting knowledge to communicate with the hospital’s C-suite, along with the ability to handle complex HR and organizational challenges.”
Fewer than 10 percent of department chairs nationwide hold an MBA, something Lee says makes a measurable difference in how he manages his team and department. “It helps in budgeting, in working with the C-suite, in financial planning, and in running a department," he adds.
For Lee, his fellowship with the Royal College represents a professional milestone and an acknowledgment of his work on an international level. “It’s the culmination of a journey with continued recognition on the world stage.”