The Department of Medicine is the largest department at Emory University and functions with the committed service of our administrative staff — most notably, our division administrators. In this series, we get to know the talented individuals who manage the day-to-day operations of our ten department divisions.
Read our interview with Bjay Wylde, administrator for the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipids. Wylde shares how his career path led to the DOM, what he enjoys about life in Atlanta, and more!
How did your career path lead you to the DOM?
Well, my original career path was supposed to be archeology, so I took a wrong turn at some point! When 2008 happened, I realized I needed a real job to pay bills and decided to focus on business. With my mother being a psychiatrist, healthcare administration made the most sense to me. The next step on the journey was graduate school and then healthcare consulting with a specific focus on IT strategy and management. That work was divided between project management of large implementation teams and vendor selection of best in class electronic health record systems. The work itself was highly engaging, but the travel was a lot to balance. This led to my career with the DOM in 2016, starting as a clinical business manager under the supervision and mentorship of Steve Doney. Under his tutelage, I learned many of the skills needed to become an administrator and I was promoted in November 2019 to help oversee the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipids.
What is the most surprising thing about being an administrator?
For me, it’s always fascinating how your day-to-day or even minute-by-minute task structure can turn on a dime. You need to be very nimble in this role and able to adapt to different situations quickly and without preamble. One minute, you are strategizing the development of a world class Transgender Center; the next you are dealing with a sensitive HR issue that requires an inquisitive mind and attention to every detail. I would be remiss to say it’s not stressful, but it’s incredibly rewarding as every minute is a new challenge and learning opportunity!
Is there a specific division project or initiative that you’re excited about?
The Diabetes Management Program continues to be one of the most exciting programs to strategize and operationalize. The program is highly dynamic and impacts many different aspects of Emory Healthcare, all the while helping our patients with diabetes. It’s a wonderful program, with excellent providers and staff.
What is the best career advice you’ve received?
Present solutions when presenting problems.
What do you enjoy most about living in ATL?
Growing up in rural Indiana, I absolutely love the city life. Being able to walk or take a short trip to restaurants and activities is fantastic.
What is something most people wouldn’t know about you?
Most people know I have a penchant for adopting dogs (four and counting…), and probably the most exciting piece of news not everyone is aware of is that my wife and I are expecting our first child on September 24!
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