Her Story
About Matrona
Matrona Mbugua is a healthcare consultant at Huron Consulting specializing in physician practice management and hospitalists. She began her healthcare career in 1999 at a children's hospital and progressed through roles in support services, eventually becoming a director of food and nutrition, housekeeping, patient transport, and call center operations at a medical facility in Cincinnati. In 2018, she transitioned to physician practice management as a practice manager for hospitalists in Dayton, Ohio, advancing to director of operations for the hospitalist group. Mbugua recently joined Huron Consulting after earning her doctorate in health administration from Central Michigan University in December, following nine years of study. She holds a bachelor's degree in nutrition from Queen's University in New York and a master's in public health from Ohio State University, where she received the Outstanding MPH Program for Experienced Professionals award from the Public Health Alumni Society. Mbugua is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Society of Hospitalist Medicine. She is trilingual and has served as a board member for an organization supporting orphaned and vulnerable children in Kenya, reflecting her commitment to empowering women and children in Africa.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Matrona
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success is attributed to my mother who passed away in 2002, who always encouraged me to keep educating myself until the end, and to Grace Wathima who has been cheering me on. I also finished my doctorate to show my kids the importance of completing what you start despite obstacles.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Always seek the next opportunity because if you never ask, the answer will always be no. Be a go-getter. If you're capable of something or desire to achieve something, just go forward and do it. The worst you can get is a no.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never let any obstacles prevent you from getting where you need to be. Always figure out a way - there's always a way out. Find the possibility in everything. Do not settle for less. Keep thinking outside the box.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Switching from an operator's mindset to a consultant mindset, and learning not to be too controlling - relinquishing the grip and allowing things to happen in different ways as long as the outcome is good.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity and commitment to excellence - saying what I'm going to do and doing what I said I will do. Holding myself to delivering on promises.
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