By Alexis Menard On June 25, 2020 2:10 PM

Alumna, Marcia Yhap-Davson, DNP, MBA, CRNA, graduated from UM-Flint in April 2020 with a dual degree in Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Master of Business Administration (MBA), with a concentration in Health Care Management. During her time as a UM-Flint student, Marcia participated in the 2019 China Study Abroad trip and excelled in her studies which earned her the award, Most Outstanding MBA Student. 

Marcia migrated to the US in her childhood with her family and is a proud 1st generation college student that is a multiple degree/license holder. Marcia has had tremendous support from her family and even during the School of Management Honors and Awards ceremony, her family came to support her when she received the Most Outstanding MBA Student award in the winter of 2019.  Recently, during the COVID-19 outbreak, she volunteered with New York City Health and Hospital Corporation to serve one of the hardest-hit communities affected by the virus. Marcia always had an interest in business since high school and she is pursuing to open her own private anesthesia staffing agency.

As our featured alumni of the month, Marcia participated in a Q&A and gave advice about pursuing a career in the healthcare/management field, her backstory on how she got to where she is today, and why she chose UM-Flint along with her favorite experiences at the university.

Q: Degree(s) and graduation year:
A: I am a proud graduate of UM-Flint, Class of 2020, graduating with a dual degree Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Health Care Management.

Q: Pursuing another degree?
A: At this moment, I have no future endeavor to return to school as I consider these degrees my terminal degrees, but as they say, “never say never.” I have always been an avid learner, passionate about school, and obsessed with learning and growing; some consider me a career student.

Q: Tell us about yourself!
A: I was born in Georgetown, Guyana, the only English-speaking country in South America. In 1983, my mother migrated to Canada, followed by the United States, where she worked tirelessly to save up enough money to move my entire family to the U.S. so that everyone can gain access to more opportunities and a better life. My educational journey in the U.S. began in middle school, where I was placed in the top class, later moving on to high school with the intent of studying business management.

Q: Where are you currently working, and your title? How long have you been in this position or at this organization? What is your normal day to day?
A: Always putting my best foot forward in everything I do, I accelerated in nursing, becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1994. In 1996, I became a 1^st generation college graduate in my family, obtaining an associate degree followed by my bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2000, through a correspondence program at Excelsior College. In 2003, I apply to the SUNY Health and Science Anesthesia Program, wherein 2007, I obtained my master’s degree graduating with honors as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).  I have been providing anesthesia services for over 12 years at various facilities in New York City, including multiple Level 1 Trauma Centers. I administer preoperative evaluations for patients before surgical procedures as anesthesia providers are considered “the gatekeepers” because we either clear or cancel procedures if it is deemed unsafe for the patients. I perform life-saving cardiopulmonary recession measures, secure and maintain airways and anesthesia management of patients requiring surgical procedures, including post-procedure care management. I am currently doing locums work for my own company Seamless Systems Inc., where I do contract work at facilities in need of anesthesia services such as hospitals and surgery centers. At the time COVID-19 reared its ugly head, I was covering three hospitals. When COVID-19 started spiking, I just in “foot-first” to become a COVID-19 volunteer with New York City Health and Hospital Corporation, serving the hardest-hit areas with multiple healthcare, economic, racial disparities, and the highest loss of life in the nation.

Q: Why did you choose UM-Flint for your degree(s)?
A: While in high school, although I enrolled in a gifted program called the Macy’s Health and Science program, I was always fascinated by the language of business and dreamt of becoming a business manager one day. After graduating high school, I applied to and was accepted to one of the top CUNY business Schools in New York City, Baruch College, where I intended to pursue my dreams. My mother grew impatient and rerouted my path in life by encouraging me to become a nurse. My first taste of management started in 2010 was when I purchased an investment property and opened Greene Legacy, Inc., to manage the property. Always ambitious, in 2016, when the opportunity presented itself, I started searching the web for schools with a DNP program since my profession will be requiring all CRNAs to possess a doctorate for entry into practice by 2025. I was fortunate enough to stumble on the only program I could find that offered a dual degree DNP/MBA program. It was a no brainer for me, a “win-win” because I saw a unique opportunity to complete my professional requirements while fulfilling a life-long dream of acquiring my MBA. I enrolled in a dual degree DNP/MBA Program at the University of Michigan-Flint. At the time, I was working two jobs as a CRNA, balancing work where I was the Chair of the Magnet Committee and a committed member of three other committees, family, and managing Greene Legacy, Inc.

Q: What is one of your favorite experiences at UM-Flint?
A: I enjoyed numerous experiences while enrolled in my program, where I frequented Michigan for the first time since migrating to the US. After high-school, I choose not to go away to college because I didn’t want to leave my parents. I always felt like I missed out on the opportunity of living on campus. I had the chance to travel to Flint; I stayed on campus during weekend classes. I had the privilege of being taught by the most outstanding professors and meeting so many people, some of whom have become lifelong friends. I have a fear of flying and would only take vacations to the Caribbean because the flights were short, and the environment was familiar. However, my aspirations changed last year while enrolled in my MBA program, when one of my professors, Professor Xu, came to visit one of my classes to educate us about the study-abroad Beijing Program. I was intrigued and challenged myself to rise above my fear of flying, and I am glad I did. I was exposed to a dynamic cultural experience rich in history, inclusive of quintessential food, tea, business, and family practices. It was my most memorable experience at UM-Flint.

Q: Why did you choose to go into the career path you are currently in?
A: In 2003, when I was a Visiting Nurse, I was encouraged by a colleague to apply for the Nurse Anesthesia Program at SUNY Health and Science Center in Brooklyn. I enrolled in the program because I had already completed my bachelor’s degree, was becoming complacent and ready for a new challenge.

Q: What is one of your proudest accomplishments so far?
A: My proudest accomplishment is, by far, my dual-degree DNP/MBA. Before discovering the dual degree program, I never even fathom I would one day acquire my DNP much less a dual degree, which includes my dreams of obtaining my MBA. At the time I enrolled, I was juggling two jobs, a family, a daughter starting her college career. I was also managing my business and participating in numerous work responsibilities; “The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet,” I pulled it off, graduating with honors. Thinking about this great accomplishment gives me chills. I bought my entire family to the SOM Honors and Awards ceremony; they were so proud. I was extremely excited to have the support of my family, including my daughter, young nephew, and cousins, to serve as an example of the possibilities the journey called life has to offer.

Q: What advice would you give students that are thinking of pursuing a career in your field?
A: I would encourage anyone thinking about following my footsteps always to remember, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” You must believe in yourself; nothing is impossible, and “failure is not an option.” School is difficult; it requires commitment, humility, and patience. It was a bit easy for me because I was living a dream in my MBA Program. After all, it was something I always wanted to do. The language of business is fascinating to me. Every class I took while enrolled in the program was equated to different aspects of my life. I grew in leaps and bounds professionally and personally and applied the lessons I learned to all areas of my life.

Q: Fun Facts!
A: I love old movies, and different genres of music from the 60’s to ’90s. I enjoy shopping and traveling. Since getting a taste of Beijing, I plan on returning to Asia to visit Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, and Vietnam. I recently resigned from my full-time position at New York-Presbyterian Hospital to work full-time for my own company Seamless Systems Inc., administering anesthesia services as a contractor. I am currently in the process of partnering with a colleague in hopes of opening a private anesthesia staffing agency called Diverse Professional Solutions, LLC. My company will seek out and negotiate contracts for anesthesia providers at out-patient surgery centers and hospitals. It will eventually expand to provide staffing opportunities for other Allied Health Professionals.