Ines Zuna, '22 MBA/MD

Ines Zuna, '22 MBA/MD, pursued the dual degree at the University of Alberta to complement her clinical training with strategic and managerial skills, preparing her to drive systems-level change in healthcare. Her medical background grounds her in patient-centred decision-making, while her business education broadens her perspective on resources, workflows, and organizational culture.

Passionate about improving learning environments, communication systems, and patient safety, she seeks to foster collaboration and build spaces where teams can thrive. Now an anesthesia resident at Vancouver Coastal Health, Ines continues to bring a multi-dimensional, evolving lens to the future of anesthesiology and Canadian healthcare.

BAA: What motivated you to pursue the MBA/MD dual degree from the U of A?

I have always been drawn to connecting disciplines, and the MD/MBA felt like a natural extension of that skillset. I pursued the dual degree to complement my clinical training with strategic and managerial tools. I believe these skillsets are essential to leading meaningful, systems-level change in healthcare.

BAA: How has combining clinical training with business education shaped your perspective on healthcare?

Clinical medicine has provided me with the ability to make precise, patient-centred decisions. Business expanded my lens, helping me understand how these decisions are shaped by resources, workflows and culture. It also strengthened my ability to navigate uncertainty and strategize in unfamiliar contexts by breaking complex problems into clear, actionable steps.

BAA: Were there moments during your dual-degree journey that challenged how you saw leadership or care delivery?

Absolutely. Throughout my training, I’ve witnessed how communication breakdowns and workflow inefficiencies can directly impact patient care. These experiences have reinforced that good patient care depends as much on system design as clinical skill, and that leadership is about creating conditions for teams to perform at their best.

BAA: What does innovation in healthcare look like to you — and where do you think physicians with MBAs can make the biggest difference?

Innovation is about reimagining how we interact, prioritize and deliver care. Physicians with MBAs can bridge the divide between clinical insight and operational decision-making. We are uniquely positioned to advocate for strategies that are both financially sound and clinically meaningful to ensure that our systems can provide the most benefit to our Canadian public.

BAA: Are there particular gaps in the healthcare system you're passionate about helping solve?

I’m passionate about improving learning environments, communication systems and patient safety culture. I want to help build spaces that foster collaboration and allow learners and teams to thrive.

BAA: In a system often under strain, how do you balance empathy with efficiency?

I’ll often ask patients if there’s one thing we can do to make their experience better. Sometimes, it’s as simple as a warm blanket, hand to hold, or even music in the operating room. There are so many moments of humanity we can incorporate into our care without compromising on efficiency.

BAA: If you had to describe your journey so far in three words, what would they be — and why?

Curious. Multi-dimensional. Evolving.

I’ve always been driven to understand how things work, and how they can be improved. I have intentionally brought together my interests in clinical care, science, education and leadership to hone a unique set of skills that complement one another. My journey is dynamic, and I am committed to building a career that contributes meaningfully to the future of anesthesiology and Canadian healthcare.