Tito Vivas-Buitrago, Johns Hopkins Carey MBA Class of 2026
Age: 35
Hometown: Bucaramanga, Colombia.
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Universidad de Santander UDES, Medical Doctor.
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, 3 and 5 years, respectively
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Through my clinical and research experiences, I have had the opportunity to observe several unmet needs among both patients and healthcare providers. Despite remarkable advancements, healthcare still has significant room for improvement, offering immense opportunities for growth. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored these gaps and highlighted the potential for further progress.
I aspire to become a leader in the healthcare revolution by materializing innovative solutions for the industry. To achieve this, I need to gain a comprehensive understanding of all aspects involved in a business organization and have access to cutting-edge research and technology ecosystems.
Why did you choose Johns Hopkins Carey? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Johns Hopkins Carey Business School offers a unique blend of business education and access to one of the most renowned research ecosystems in the world. With Health, Technology, and Innovation, we have the opportunity to integrate resources from the entire Johns Hopkins network, including the School of Medicine, the Whiting School of Engineering, and the Applied Physics Laboratory, among others, offering unparalleled opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration. We also gain exposure to the Pava Center and Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures and their FastForward initiative, which supports startups in digital health, biotechnology, and engineering through mentorship, funding, and access to laboratories and office spaces in Baltimore’s innovation hubs.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2026?
The background diversity. You gain access to your peers’ tremendous expertise and knowledge, spanning nearly the entire spectrum of industries. This is an invaluable opportunity to have 24/7 access to answers for any questions you may have in fields different from your own. There is a significant presence of international participants, which helps expand your global network across multiple disciplines. The Class of 2026 is distinguished by its strong sense of community, where it feels as if you’ve known each other for years, a safe space where you feel welcome, and a sense of belonging that encourages you to exploit all your capabilities. This has been made possible by the outstanding efforts of the school’s leadership, faculty, and operations team during the initial integration and onboarding process, particularly during Foundations Week and beyond.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I am extremely interested in all aspects of space exploration and the mysteries of the universe. Most of my news feed is related to that, so please don’t get me started because I will never stop talking about it 🙂
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Maintain an open channel of communication with your admissions team before and after the interviews. This way, you get to share all of the information about you that was not included in the application material.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
Apply early; don’t wait until the second or third round.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Postponing the redaction of the essays. The earlier you do it, the sooner you can organize your ideas. It is a dedicated time of reflection and exploration that helps you remember why you pursue this journey and craft a clear path forward.
What is your initial impression of the Johns Hopkins Carey students/culture/community?
It truly feels as if we’ve known each other for years, a safe space where you feel welcome. Tremendous diversity that enriches your knowledge in all aspects.
What is one thing you have learned about Johns Hopkins Carey that has surprised you?
The incredible amount of alumni that are part of the biggest medical technologies organizations.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Time, it gets busy real fast, me calendar is about to explode.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Networking and connecting with all the superstars in the medtech industry
