The challenges of managing one of Queensland’s largest privately-owned radiology services have inspired a leading medical specialist to pursue a postgraduate business degree at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

Dr Siavash Es’haghi, who is the Executive Managing Director of Imaging Queensland, decided to enrol in USC’s Executive Master of Business Administration after the radiology clinic he founded in 2007 rapidly grew to incorporate 19 practices and more than 250 staff.

When he established the business, Dr Es’haghi was a highly trained radiologist, but had no business qualifications.

“I always had the aspiration of owning my own business and, although I didn’t have any formal business education, my philosophy was that hard work and perseverance would lead to success,” he said.

“I opened my first practice in Warana and was lucky to receive very good support from local doctors and the community. I believed that if I provided the best service to my patients then people would come to my clinic, which proved to be correct.” 

Sunshine Coast Radiology grew to include eight practices in the region, and Dr Es’haghi soon partnered with like-minded doctors to establish Central Queensland Radiology, Moreton Bay Radiology and the Advanced Women’s Imaging Clinic in Nambour.

Imaging Queensland’s clinics now see around 1,200 patients per day, and the business has secured competitive tenders with the Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital and the Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service.

Dr Es’haghi said that as the business continued to grow and employ more people, he became aware of a need to deliver more strategic leadership.

“My education was in medicine, and previously my main focus was to simply provide the highest level of service and care,” he said. “While that goal remained, I also recognised that I needed to learn how successful businesses operate so I would know how to improve.”

Dr Es’haghi decided to further his formal education through USC’s EMBA program, which is delivered through intensive weekend workshops.

“The course has been extremely valuable,” he said. “We’ve completed a range of modules, including creative decision-making, leadership and marketing. In trying to understand and apply these theories, I have already made some changes and improvements to the business.

“Although we are only halfway through the course I am already noticing the benefits.”

Dr Es’haghi, who was among a group of 26 EMBA and MBA students who recently travelled to China for an intensive nine-day study tour, said he would encourage any executive to consider USC’s EMBA program.

“Whether it’s a big or small business, if you are looking to improve and learn more about what drives success then the course is well worth it,” he said.

— Jarna Baudinette