Looking back at my first few weeks at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), I could see how much I’ve grown—both in mindset and in approach.

I was never really planning on taking up an MBA. After I retired as president and CEO of Mary Mediatrix Medical Center last June 2022, I thought of just continuing my gastroenterology practice. However, I always had it in mind setting up an assisted daily living facility in Lipa City.

When I first started on the Online Masters in Business Administration (OMBA) program, I felt enthusiastic but unsure about what was in store for me. After decades working in medicine, hospital management, and our family enterprise, I built a solid base in leadership and decision-making. However, I soon understood that AIM would test me in ways I had not foreseen.

In the beginning, I approached the program with the structured mindset of a doctor and hospital executive—analyzing problems logically, prioritizing efficiency, and relying on my experience. But, the OMBA program pushed me to expand beyond that.

The discussions, case studies, and frameworks introduced me to perspectives I hadn’t fully explored before. I started thinking more like an entrepreneur, questioning traditional models, and considering innovative solutions.

One of the biggest changes is how I now approach strategy and decision-making. I’ve become more data-driven and analytical, particularly in areas outside of healthcare.

Before AIM, I saw hospital operations through the lens of medical protocols and administrative policies. Now, I look at them through the lens of efficiency, cost management, and strategic positioning. This shift has been invaluable in projects like streamlining patient touchpoints, optimizing manpower, and improving hospital productivity.

Another transformation is my openness to risk-taking and innovation. I realized I still have the drive to build something new. The OMBA has reignited that entrepreneurial spirit in me.

And of course, my capstone project on the feasibility of an Assisted Daily Living Facility in Lipa City is a culmination of all these learnings.

I am currently viewing healthcare not only as a service but also as a business model—balancing impact, financial stability, and sustainability in the long run.

As I approached the conclusion of the program, I began to understand that the most significant lesson from AIM is not merely the knowledge —it’s the connections I’ve created. One of the most fulfilling parts of the program has been the friendships and strong bonds I've developed with my peers. I’ve been especially thankful for the friendships that have developed. We've transitioned from being classmates to reliable coworkers and, in numerous ways, even like family. We've commemorated our successes together—be it mastering a challenging topic, overcoming a demanding capstone phase, or simply enduring consecutive deadlines.

We’ve also backed one another during tough times, providing motivation in stressful weeks and reminding each other that we are fully capable of getting through.

These are people I know I can count on beyond graduation, whether for professional collaborations, mentorship, or simply catching up over a cup of coffee.

The OMBA has not only broadened my perspective but has also given me a network of lifelong friends and colleagues who will continue to inspire and challenge me long after we leave AIM.

So, how has AIM changed me? It has made me more strategic, more analytical, and more entrepreneurial. It has helped me see beyond the boundaries of medicine and business as I knew them. And most importantly, it has reminded me that even at 70, there is still so much that I can do.

(Dr. Robert Magsino is the oldest graduate of the Asian Institute of Management’s Online MBA 2025 program. A seasoned gastroenterologist and former president and CEO of Mary Mediatrix Medical Center, he exemplifies that leadership and learning know no age. He is currently the president of the Confraternity of Mary Mediatrix of All Grace and the Mary Mediatrix Medical Center Foundation.)