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Meet JSOM Student Clarisse (Nhu-Quynh) Dizon
Clarisse (Nhu-Quynh) Dizon graduated from The University of Texas at Dallas in May 2025 with a double major BS in Healthcare Management and Biology from the Naveen Jindal School of Management, earning honors and serving as the commencement student speaker. She will return in Fall 2025 to pursue her MS in Healthcare Leadership and Management.
Coming to UT Dallas
Dizon’s journey to UT Dallas is rooted in a powerful story about why she chose to pursue healthcare management.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, I worked as a clinical assistant at an urgent care clinic,” she said. “I saw firsthand how critical strong leadership was, especially to keep operations running during a public health crisis. My manager’s ability to make rational decisions directly impacted on patient care and staff morale.”
Around the same time, Dizon witnessed a rural hospital near her family’s hometown shut down due to financial constraints, which left a major gap in access to care for many families.
“Those experiences helped me realize the importance of healthcare leadership and inspired me to pursue a degree in healthcare management,” she said.
The deciding factor in Dizon’s decision to attend UT Dallas was the academic programs it offered that are focused on healthcare management.
“I applied to UTD because of the unique double major offering in Healthcare Management and Biology,” she said. “I knew I wanted to explore both the clinical and administrative sides of healthcare, and UTD was one of the few schools that offered that kind of flexibility. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
Life on Campus at JSOM
Despite a busy undergraduate career, Dizon made time to connect with peers and give back through volunteering. She volunteered for two years at Texas Health Dallas, serving as Executive Leader of SERV (Students Engaged in Rounding and Volunteering) and in the Emergency Department.
“I was honored to receive the UTD Service Honors Award, the THD Undergraduate Volunteer Award, and most recently, the JSOM Healthcare Management Student of the Year Award,” she said.
She also reflects on her campus experience:
“I lived on campus all three years, and I’m so grateful I did,” she said. “I was just a short walk away from classes, events and friends, which made it easy to stay involved and feel connected to the campus community. Some of my favorite moments were simply walking around campus and running into friends — it made UTD feel like home.”
During her time at UTD, she said she was fortunate to be deeply involved in the healthcare-management community.
“I served as president of both the Healthcare Management Association and the Professional Program in Healthcare Management, where I helped lead initiatives, speaker events and mentored others,” she said. “I also co-led research for the Graduate Healthcare Leadership & Management program and served as the marketing chair for the Healthcare Management Undergraduate Leadership Council.”
Other accolades included being a member of the Davidson Management Honors Program, graduating with Major Honors, and being selected as a fellow in the Nash Honors Program, where she was recognized as a Nash Leader.
“I consistently made the Dean’s List and mentored other transfer students through the Transfer Mentor Program,” she said.
Overcoming Obstacles and Finding Success
Some of the biggest challenges she faced as a student included transferring into UTD and starting over in a new environment.
“It’s not always easy to find your place right away,” she said. “But joining organizations like the Healthcare Management Association and the Davidson Management Honors Program changed everything. I found a community of like-minded, driven students who supported each other’s growth. Those relationships helped me succeed not just academically, but personally.”
Mentorship Along the Way
The support she received from faculty members was invaluable to Dizon, especially that of her two mentors: Amye Broyles, program manager and Daniel Karnuta, director of the Professional Program in Healthcare Management.
“Amye always kept her office door open to students,” Dizon said. “She supports individual students as people, helps us feel seen and provides us with the resources we need to succeed. Her encouragement gave me the confidence I needed when I was selected as HMA President.”
She said Karnuta has given countless students, including her, tangible, real-world opportunities to grow as future healthcare leaders.
“His dedication to preparing us for our careers is something I’ll always be grateful for,” she said. “UTD provided me with all the academic and professional foundation I needed to succeed — and more. I’m grateful for the faculty mentors who supported me, the student organizations that gave me space to lead and grow, the honors programs that provided a strong professional foundation, and the fast-track MBA program that helped me build business knowledge early on. UTD challenged me to take initiative and gave me the confidence to navigate my future career in healthcare.”
Advice for Fellow Students
Dizon advises fellow students to not overlook a seemingly routine task.
“Read, read, read your email,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to get involved, even if it feels intimidating at first. Join organizations, reach out to faculty and say ‘yes’ to new experiences.”
Looking to the Future
Her career aspirations lie in healthcare and she is currently working in the field while applying to medical schools.
“I recently began my full-time role as a LEAD Associate with Parallon, part of HCA Healthcare,” she said. “It’s a one-year rotational training program where I’ll gain hands-on experience in different operational areas. After completing the program, I’ll be placed as a manager in a department that best aligns with my strengths and interests. I’m currently enjoying my rotations and learning more about HCA’s Central Support Operations.”
In addition, she is applying to medical schools in Texas.
“I’m excited about continuing to grow a career that blends healthcare leadership with direct patient care,” she said.
Dizon’s journey reflects her passion, perseverance and purpose. From her early experiences during the pandemic to leading student organizations and pursuing dual paths in management and medicine, she exemplifies what it means to be a Comet committed to making a difference. As she steps into the next chapter of her academic and professional lives, Dizon continues to embody the values of leadership, service and lifelong learning that define the JSOM community.
