The PHYSICIAN CEO™ Program

Kellogg School of Management, Evanston

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Kellogg School of Management

Evanston, United States

The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, founded in 1908 as the Northwestern University School of Commerce, is a private, university-affiliated business school located in Evanston, Illinois, with a presence in downtown Chicago. From its inception, Kellogg has fostered a culture of collaboration and analytical rigor, aiming to develop leaders who can navigate complex global challenges. The school's academic philosophy centers on a general management approach, emphasizing cross-functional understanding, practical application, and a strong focus on leadership development and innovation.Accreditations and RankingsAccreditations:AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) - accredited since 1916EQUIS (EFMD Quality Improvement System) - accredited since 2004AMBA (Association of MBAs) - accredited since 2004Rankings:Financial Times Global MBA Ranking 2024: #9Bloomberg Businessweek Best B-Schools (US) 2023-24: #1QS Global MBA Rankings 2024: #10U.S. News & World Report Best Business Schools 2024: #2 (tied)Executive Education at a GlanceKellogg School of Management's executive education programs are particularly known for their strengths in leadership, marketing, strategy, and innovation, reflecting the school's core academic expertise. The portfolio includes both open enrollment programs for individuals and custom programs tailored for organizations. Programs are delivered in various formats, including intensive in-person sessions at the Evanston and Chicago campuses, fully online courses, and blended learning experiences. Durations range from short, focused two-day workshops to multi-week certificate programs. Flagship offerings include the Advanced Management Program (AMP) and various Executive Scholar Certificate programs in areas such as Leadership, Marketing, and Finance. Open enrollment program costs typically range from approximately $5,000 for shorter online courses to over $70,000 for comprehensive multi-week programs like the AMP. Limited scholarships are available for select programs, often targeting non-profit leaders or specific underrepresented groups.Campus and FacilitiesKellogg's primary campus is the Global Hub in Evanston, Illinois, a modern, lakeside facility on the shores of Lake Michigan within Northwestern University's campus. This architectural landmark features flexible classrooms, collaborative learning spaces, and advanced technology designed to foster interaction and innovation among participants. The Global Hub's design encourages spontaneous collaboration and provides an immersive learning environment. Additionally, Kellogg maintains a presence in downtown Chicago at Wieboldt Hall, offering convenient access for professionals in the city's business district. The Evanston location provides a focused, collegiate atmosphere, while its proximity to Chicago offers participants access to a major global business hub, allowing for real-world application and networking opportunities within a diverse urban economy.Faculty and ResearchKellogg School of Management boasts a large and internationally diverse faculty, comprising scholars and practitioners recognized for their groundbreaking research and practical insights. The faculty's research strengths are particularly prominent in areas such as marketing, organizational behavior, finance, strategy, and entrepreneurship. Kellogg faculty are adept at bridging academic theory with real-world business challenges, ensuring that executive education participants gain actionable knowledge. The school is home to several notable research centers and institutes, including the Kellogg Center for Executive Women, the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, and the Center for Research in Technology & Innovation, all of which contribute to the curriculum and thought leadership in executive programs.Student Body, Alumni, and Career OutcomesKellogg's executive education cohorts are characterized by their international diversity, drawing participants from a wide range of industries, functions, and geographic regions. This rich mix fosters a dynamic peer-learning environment, where executives share varied perspectives and experiences. The Kellogg alumni network is extensive and influential, comprising over 65,000 individuals across more than 120 countries. Alumni hold leadership positions in major corporations, startups, and non-profit organizations globally, particularly concentrated in consulting, technology, finance, and consumer goods. While executive education programs do not typically offer formal career placement services, participants benefit from enhanced leadership capabilities, expanded professional networks, and the prestige of a Kellogg credential, which often supports career advancement and transitions into more senior roles.

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AACSB

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Last updated: July 9, 2026

About This Program

The PHYSICIAN CEO™ program is developed by SurgiVision® Consultants, Inc. in collaboration with the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, a top-rated business school for executive education. This program is unique in its focus on practice growth. Other programs train physicians to be managers, to run hospitals and to comply with regulations and billing procedures. The PHYSICIAN CEO™ program is different. It is explicitly entrepreneurial and focuses on topics relevant to physician leadership, particularly around private practice and entrepreneurial ventures. The PHYSICIAN CEO™ program provides an intensive, MBA-style experience to train physicians with essential business skills. The program consists of four 5-day “Modules” presented approximately 10 weeks apart. Each module is organized around core topics of interest to physicians across all private practice specialties and a variety of entrepreneurial ventures. Targeted specialties include ophthalmology, plastic surgery, cosmetic dermatology, concierge medical practices, fertility, anti-aging, orthopedics and other specialty areas. In-person, live discussions are an essential component of business education. While an online course might seem to be more convenient, experience shows that there is no substitute for live teaching-especially given the high caliber professors at Kellogg, and the highly qualified participants in this program. The PHYSICIAN CEO™ program is designed specifically for physicians from both within and outside the United States. Course structure, cases, assignments, and general focus are directly relevant to running your medical practice. Major emphasis is given to strategy, leadership, negotiations, marketing, operations, finance, corporate structures, and legal topics, among others. Modules are designed to match the rapid learning pace of physicians, and provide optimal exposure across the key functions of a Lifestyle medical practice. We hope you will join us for this exciting experience as you transition to become a PHYSICIAN CEO™! Incentives available for groups and teams of four or more attending open enrollment programs. Learn more

Why Kellogg School of Management?

Kellogg School of Management stands out for its distinctive emphasis on collaborative leadership, a deep integration of marketing and strategy, and a commitment to developing leaders who drive innovation. Its programs are designed for executives seeking to enhance their general management capabilities through a highly interactive and team-oriented learning environment.

Your Profile

Participation is limited to physicians who are board-certified or board-eligible in a recognized medical and/or surgical specialty.
Participants range from those just starting in practice to physicians who have built large practices over a long career.
The unifying characteristic is the desire to better understand business principles and cultivate the skills needed to perform as the CEO of your practice.
The program is specifically designed for physicians who currently or plan to work in private practice, or who plan to begin or are already participating in an entrepreneurial venture in medicine.
Administrators, assistants, physician-assistants, residents, and other personnel are not eligible to participate.
Class size is limited.

Benefits

Oversee your practice, including marketing, finance, operations, personnel, contracts, and other key administrative areas.
Become empowered as leaders, and appreciate the impact that your leadership style has on your practice to ensure that the whole organization is aligned behind your vision of the future.
Recognize your competitive situation and formulate strategies that will allow you to survive and thrive.
Bring an entrepreneurial focus to your practices' growth.
Negotiate win-win agreements with suppliers and customers.
Lead collaborative teams to solve problems and create new innovations.
Create and manage strategic alliances with other businesses.
Build and leverage your network.
Develop a confident understanding of financial statements and have a framework to evaluate investing, financing, and operational decisions.
Analyze your practice to understand the costs and benefits of each service.

What You'll Learn

Module 1 - Transitioning to a PHYSICIAN CEO™: Insights from successful CEOs, value creation in the medical system, entrepreneurship, negotiating essentials, crisis management, identifying and creating alliances, managing cognitive biases, networks and persuasion. Includes a "three dimensions of change" action plan.
Module 2 - Positioning Your Practice for Growth: Consumer insights, branding, persuasion, effective use of data, leveraging patient-oriented social media, development of sustainable marketing methods, internal marketing campaigns, segmentation, targeting, positioning and delivery. Participants evaluate and refine their marketing approach.
Module 3 - Building a High Performance Practice: Aligning operations with practice strategy, the PHYSICIAN CEO™ as a coach, procedure pricing models, leading highly effective teams, strategic talent management, integrating information technology, maximizing operational effectiveness, the CEO’s role in decisive change management. Participants develop strategies to improve practice operations.
Module 4 - Maximizing the Value of Your Practice: Reading financial statements, interpreting financial statements, evaluating investment decisions, evaluating financing decisions, approaches to oversee practice finances, patient credit strategies, valuing a practice and strategies for enhancing valuation, roll ups, franchises and IPOs, legal constraints and opportunities. Culminates in presentations of "1, 3 and 5 year Plans for Growth" by participants.

How to Apply

1
Check your eligibility
Review the entry requirements listed on this page. Most executive programs require 8–15 years of professional experience.
2
Compare programs
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3
Contact the school
Send a message directly to Kellogg School of Management via Gradia to request a brochure or speak with an admissions advisor.
4
Prepare your application
Gather your CV, reference letters, and any required test scores. Many EMBA programs waive standardised tests for senior candidates.
5
Submit your application
Apply directly through Kellogg School of Management's official application portal.