Emmanuel Aniemeke was drawn to medicine from a young age. Growing up in Nigeria, he experienced firsthand how limited access to medication affected his community. He became fascinated by the healing power of a small pill.
That early curiosity evolved into a calling.
After immigrating to the United States with his family in the early 2000s, Aniemeke earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Houston, later completing a doctoral degree in pharmacy at Texas Southern University. He began his career as an intern, steadily advancing while earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA). In 2024, he became the director of pharmacy for the University of Texas Health San Antonio Multispecialty and Research Hospital (MSRH), a new medical facility that opened that same year.
With a doctoral degree, an MBA, and a demanding leadership role, additional education might seem unnecessary. Yet, when Aniemeke discovered the Credential of Leadership, Impact, and Management in Business (CLIMB) program from Harvard Business School Online, he saw an opportunity for growth. He pursued the program’s Experienced Leaders path with intention.
“I was looking to sharpen my thinking, how I led, and how I executed strategic initiatives,” Aniemeke says. “I was not just looking for another certificate.”
Lessons to Apply Immediately
From the start, CLIMB reshaped Aniemeke’s approach to leadership.
“I didn’t know what to expect, but I didn’t think I could learn so much,” Aniemeke says. “I didn’t think I’d be able to apply my learning by the next day, but we had a subsection on improving the culture of your team, and I applied that the very next day.”
One key takeaway was the importance of actively listening to and seeking feedback from every team member. By applying that lesson immediately, he strengthened team culture and improved performance.
Aniemeke’s advice to future CLIMB participants is simple: Look for opportunities to implement what you learn right away. “The true learning comes with application.”
As the hospital expanded, so did Aniemeke’s responsibilities. In addition to leading the pharmacy department, he now oversees multiple clinics—a transition that required shifting from hands-on specialist work to strategic delegation as a senior leader.
“I’m a clinician by training, and that shift has meant trusting my staff and delegating more,” Aniemeke says.
Through CLIMB’s real-world cases—where participants analyze challenges faced by business leaders—Aniemeke explored how others navigated similar transitions. The experience provided practical frameworks he could apply within his own organization.
The Value of Business Education in Healthcare Leadership
CLIMB’s Dynamic Teaming course had a lasting impact on Aniemeke. By intentionally fostering psychological safety within his multidisciplinary team, he strengthened collaboration and communication.
He also points to the CLIMB course Leading in the Digital World as critical in helping him navigate the rapidly evolving healthcare technology landscape.
Aniemeke has found that business education broadened his perspective and strengthened his ability to collaborate across functions.
“For me, the opportunity to think outside my field helps to sharpen how I think and lead,” Aniemeke says.
CLIMB’s financial and analytical components enhanced his ability to communicate with hospital decision-makers. He can now translate pharmacy operations into the language of business—an essential skill for organizational leadership.
“We want a seat at the table,” Aniemeke says of the pharmacy department he leads.
CLIMB equipped him to contribute more effectively to strategic planning and position his department as a key driver of impact within the growing hospital.
Healthcare is one of the top industries for CLIMB participants. Aniemeke even connected with another pharmacist in his cohort, and they’ve remained in touch since completing the program. Like many healthcare professionals trained in science and medicine, he recognized that foundational business skills are essential for leading teams, influencing strategy, and driving organizational success.
Lifelong Learning as a Leadership Strength
For Aniemeke, CLIMB reinforced more than business fundamentals; it strengthened his commitment to continuous growth.
He sets a yearly goal for self-improvement—a practice influenced by his mother, a teacher who emphasized reading, learning, and personal development. That mindset continues to shape his leadership philosophy.
Reflecting on the leaders he most admires, Aniemeke says, “The best leaders I looked up to always pushed learning.”
As Aniemeke’s career continues to evolve, ongoing education will remain central to his development as a healthcare leader.
Do you want to develop a robust set of vital, forward-looking business skills to grow as a leader? Explore our yearlong Credential of Leadership, Impact, and Management in Business (CLIMB) program, comprising seven courses for leading in the modern business world. Download the CLIMB brochure to learn more about its curriculum, admissions requirements, and benefits.
