Veronica Villarreal: From quiet corners to big impact

Long before Veronica Villarreal was named assistant vice president of operations at UT Health Rio Grande Valley (RGV) - leading multi-site ambulatory operations, supporting clinical teams, and driving initiatives to improve patient access, quality, and efficiency - she was at the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL), coffee in hand, tucked into quiet corners, mapping out process flows, and project plans.

For Villarreal, pursuing a Joint Master of Healthcare Administration and Master of Business Administration (MHA/MBA) at UHCL was not just about earning credentials; it was about learning how to think. She credits the program with sharpening her ability to turn big-picture strategies into real-world results: better access, better systems, better care.

"UHCL gave me a pragmatic, leadership-focused foundation and a network that reinforced evidence-based, patient-centered operations," said Villarreal. "I still use building systems thinking, translating strategy into measurable clinic KPIs, which was sharpened during my time in the MHA/MBA program."

One of Villarreal's favorite memories at UHCL is publishing a study and presenting it at Jaipur University in India, where she also met her best friend. That experience, like so much of her time at UHCL, stretched her perspective.

"Participating in this conference deepened my appreciation for cultural diversity and global perspectives. I credit my professors and peers for inspiring me to combine values with operational excellence," said Villarreal.

Villarreal's first job out of grad school was in healthcare administration at DHR Health, and from there, she steadily climbed through operations, revenue cycle, and ultimately into executive leadership as chief ambulatory officer.

However, as Villarreal advanced in her own career, she remained equally committed to building pathways for others. Her bestselling book "C-Suite Bound," featured in Forbes, was written to give emerging leaders a practical path forward, built on authenticity, clarity, and service.

Looking back, Villarreal said UHCL provided more than just an education; it gave her the tools, confidence, and foundation to step into high-level leadership roles and make a meaningful impact in her community. She described her time at UHCL as "purposeful, stretching, and transformative."

Villarreal's advice to current students is clear: "Pick a lane where mission and metrics meet. Find mentors, continue advancing your skills, and don't rush your journey," she said. "Your pace is your pace. Patience and focus compound. Comparison steals clarity."

Today, Villarreal is helping scale care across the Rio Grande Valley, mentoring future leaders, and proving that background does not define ceiling. What matters is what one builds by leading authentically, one clinic, one team, and one win at a time.

For more information about UHCL's Joint Healthcare Administration MHA/MBA, visit https://www.uhcl.edu/academics/degrees/healthcare-administration-business-adminstration-mha-mba.