Umesh Desai

DM, 2025

June, 2025

As Vice President at Reliance Industries Ltd, I completed my Doctorate in Management at IAU while working full-time. The flexible program and support from Dr. Sherm and Dr. Tehrani helped me explore real healthcare challenges in India and inspired my goal to open a multispeciality hospital.

Are you currently employed?

Yes, with Reliance Industries Ltd, as Vice President.

Were you able to apply what you learned at IAU to your work?

Executive Leadership, Executive Etiquette

Which methods, lessons, and instructors did you find helpful?

During my Doctorate in Management at International American University (IAU), I focused my research on a topic that is both timely and critical: “Navigating Financial Distress While Regulatory and Financial Management Challenges in Indian Private Hospitals.” This topic allowed me to dive deep into real issues faced by the healthcare industry in India, especially how private hospitals are struggling with financial instability due to delays in reimbursements, rising operational costs, and regulatory pressures.

The program was structured in a way that helped me connect my professional experience with academic learning. I found the case study approach and research-based assignments especially useful—they encouraged me to think critically and apply practical solutions to complex challenges.

I’m truly grateful to Dr. Sanaz Tehrani, who guided me as my Methodologist. Her support in shaping the research design, data analysis, and overall methodology was incredibly helpful. I also want to thank Dr. Alex Sherm, my Dissertation Chair, whose consistent feedback and encouragement kept me focused and helped me deliver a strong and relevant dissertation.

The entire IAU team—faculty and administrative staff—were supportive throughout my journey. They were approachable, responsive, and genuinely committed to helping me succeed, which made balancing my studies alongside a demanding professional role much easier.

Overall, my time at IAU was a great learning experience. It not only deepened my academic understanding but also gave me the tools to contribute meaningfully to solving real-world challenges in India’s healthcare sector.

What particular classes/programs were beneficial?

During my time at International American University (IAU), a few classes really stood out and made a big difference in my learning journey. Courses like Strategic Management, Healthcare Policy, Financial Risk Management, and especially Qualitative Research Methods were incredibly useful. They gave me the right tools and perspective to explore my dissertation topic: “Navigating Financial Distress While Regulatory and Financial Management Challenges in Indian Private Hospitals.”

The Qualitative Research Methods class helped me understand how to design my research, collect meaningful data, and analyze it effectively. It really brought structure and clarity to my work. At the same time, classes on strategy and healthcare regulations helped me connect real-world hospital challenges with academic concepts.

IAU also provided great support along the way. I found the online platform easy to use, and it gave me access to assignments, reading materials, and resources at any time. The faculty were approachable and responsive, especially during the dissertation phase when their input was most valuable. I also made good use of the digital library and research databases, which gave me access to the latest academic articles I needed to support my study.

Overall, the mix of relevant coursework and helpful resources made my experience both smooth and meaningful, especially as I was managing full-time work alongside my studies.

What benefits did you gain in terms of planning your career?

Studying at International American University really helped me look at my career from a new perspective. One of the biggest benefits was that it gave me the clarity and confidence to move forward with a long-time goal of mine—setting up my own 60-bed multispeciality hospital in India.

My research focused on financial distress and the regulatory and financial challenges private hospitals face, which gave me a much deeper understanding of the real issues in the healthcare system. The experience helped me plan more realistically—especially around how to manage costs, stay compliant with regulations, and build a model that can sustain itself over time.

Working on my dissertation taught me how to structure ideas, plan carefully, and think critically—skills I’m now using as I start planning the hospital project. The classes and guidance I received from Dr. Alex Sherm and Dr. Sanaz Tehrani were extremely helpful. They challenged me to think deeper and approach problems with a clear strategy.

While the program was mostly online, I still had the chance to connect with faculty and other professionals who gave me valuable insights and encouragement along the way. These conversations helped me shape my ideas and build confidence in taking this next step.

Overall, the experience wasn’t just about earning a degree—it really helped me prepare for something meaningful I’ve always wanted to do.

Do you have comments about the program flexibility, class size, and workload?

One of the things I truly appreciated about the Doctorate in Management program at IAU was its flexibility. Being in a senior leadership role with a busy schedule, the ability to study at my own pace was a huge advantage. The program was thoughtfully structured, which made it possible to balance my professional commitments with academic work smoothly.

The workload was well-balanced—challenging enough to keep me engaged and growing, but manageable with proper time planning. The assignments were meaningful and often connected directly to real-world business challenges, which made the learning experience more relevant and applicable to my career.

I also found the faculty to be very supportive throughout the journey. Dr. Alex Sherm, in particular, provided excellent guidance during my dissertation phase. His feedback helped me refine my work and stay on track.

For anyone considering this program, I would say it’s ideal for working professionals who want to deepen their expertise while continuing their career. The flexibility, practical approach, and academic support make it a rewarding and achievable experience.

What is your message or suggestion to the IAU staff?

I just want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone at International American University. From the academic team to the support staff, your guidance and professionalism made my entire doctoral journey smooth and meaningful. Balancing a full-time leadership role while pursuing a doctorate wasn’t easy—but the flexibility and encouragement I received from the IAU team truly made it possible. A special thanks to the faculty and advisors who were always approachable and ready to help whenever I needed support. Your timely feedback and clear direction kept me focused and motivated. If I could offer one suggestion, it would be to consider adding more webinars, networking sessions, or industry-based events. It would be a great way to help students and alumni stay connected, learn from each other, and apply their knowledge even more effectively in the real world. Thanks again for everything. I’m proud to be an IAU graduate and grateful to be part of this community.

Do you have any additional comments?

After an enriching and impactful tenure at Reliance Industries Ltd., where I led large-scale procurement and infrastructure projects across telecom, IT, and healthcare, I have recently completed my Doctorate in Management in Supply Chain. With this academic milestone and my extensive industry experience, I am now seeking strategic leadership opportunities that allow me to drive transformation, innovation, and long-term value—particularly in sectors such as healthcare infrastructure, digital procurement, and smart manufacturing.