Gerald Glickman (PMBA ’88)

From Root Canals to Balance Sheets, Cox PMBA Puts Business Skills to the Test

As business schools continue to see a rise in MDs and other health care providers going back to school for MBAs, Dr. Gerald Glickman (PMBA '88) is an example of how business skills are critical in the medical industry. Glickman is professor and chairman of the department of endodontics at Texas A&M Health Science Center/Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas. He oversees the education of approximately 400 pre-doctoral students, and he is the graduate program director in endodontics, training dentists to become specialists in endodontic therapy.

Glickman sought an MBA to provide him with a broad perspective in business. He chose the Cox School's PMBA program because it allowed him to maintain his academic position at Baylor as well as continue in private practice. Not only did he learn from quality professors, but also from fellow classmates who have had extensive business careers. Glickman acquired a strong knowledge in areas including accounting and marketing and learned to analyze financial statements and how to oversee a multi-million dollar budget.

"Having been in full-time dental education since 1984, I truly believe that an MBA should be a necessary requisite for any health care professional who is heavily involved in the management of an academic/clinical department on a full-time basis," said Glickman. "The business of dental education is no different than any other major business entity in a competitive marketplace."

In addition to his academic position, Glickman is the current president of the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), where he is able to put his management skills to good use.  His theme is "Access to Care."  Access to oral health care is a critical but complex issue in the overall scheme of health care reform.

"All dentists, whether generalists or specialists, must take an active role in helping to reduce oral health disparities across all walks of life," said Glickman.

As president, Glickman encourages AAE members to provide root canal therapy at lowered costs, give educational sessions to select groups, and provide preventative therapy to those who do not have the luxury of visiting a dentist on a regular basis.  

"Barriers to quality oral health care are primarily due to costs but there are cultural, educational and geographic barriers as well," he said. "The relationship of oral health to systemic health must be realized by all."  

Glickman is excited about what the future holds in his specialty.  In the not-too-distant future, he foresees the ability for tissue engineering technologies and stem cells to allow for "re-growth" of teeth in the oral cavity. It is occurring at the laboratory level right now and it is only a matter of time that it will become a reality, he said.  

"The Cox MBA will take you places that you never would have imagined!" said Glickman. "The 'tools' I received were invaluable and have helped turn my goals and dreams into reality."