Jonathan Salinas | Master of Science in Clinical Service Operations

For Jonathan Salinas, MD, medicine has always been about more than treating illness. It’s about helping people find their voice.

Originally from Peru, he moved to Los Angeles as a young teen. Growing up surrounded by music—his mother was a professional singer, and he’s a musician himself—Salinas found an early fascination with the mechanics of the human voice. That passion eventually led him to a career in otolaryngology and to become a fellowship-trained laryngologist, where he could combine his love for music and medicine.

After completing medical school, residency, and fellowship at UCLA, Salinas moved to Las Vegas, where he now serves as the managing partner of Ear, Nose, and Throat Consultants of Nevada, one of the largest practices of its kind in the state. He also serves as the in-house physician for all MGM Entertainment properties, helping performers to stay healthy and ready for the stage.

As his professional responsibilities grew, so did his desire to address the issues that go beyond illness and trauma. To strengthen his management and operational skills, Salinas considered pursuing an MBA, but he wanted something rooted in medicine rather than business. The Master of Science in Clinical Service Operations program at Harvard Medical School stood out, because it’s created for clinicians seeking to lead in the operational side of health care.

“I was drawn to the idea of learning from a medical school rather than a business or public health program,” he explains. “It was designed for people like me—physicians who want to make health care delivery more efficient.”

When he applied, Salinas initially selected the Clinical Operations pathway, but was encouraged by the program directors to join the Industry Leadership pathway instead. “It was a teaching moment,” he says. “If you feel you should do something, go ahead and try for it.”

The Industry Leadership pathway fit his entrepreneurial mindset and helped him explore how to scale and innovate within his practice. Among his top goals: improving inefficiencies in Nevada’s health care system, teaching residents and medical students about operations management, and finding better ways to expand his growing practice.

For his capstone project, Salinas developed a technology-assisted patient navigation system to improve communication between patients and care teams. He noticed that some patients were returning to his clinic without completing recommended tests or follow-ups due to communication gaps or insurance issues.

“It was wasting time for patients and staff,” he recalled. “I wanted to create a more efficient system.”

Using existing infrastructure, he designed a process that allowed patients to communicate directly with the appropriate member of the care team, whether that was a scheduler, medical assistant, speech pathologist, or laryngologist.

The results spoke for themselves. Staff burnout risk decreased, patient satisfaction improved, and the practice saved time and resources. Salinas developed a pro forma analysis illustrating how the new system could reduce costs from unnecessary visits and increase capacity for new patients.

“Before we can improve or disrupt a system, we need to understand it,” he says. “This program allowed me to do that.”

While enrolled part time in the program, Salinas continued working full time and—perhaps most importantly—continued being a dad. “Being a father is part of my brand,” he says with a smile.

Because he lives in the Pacific time zone, most classes took place early in the morning. He often studied before heading to the clinic, a schedule that worked well for both his patients and his family. His young son, Leo, watched him attend classes and complete assignments—sometimes sitting beside him doing homework of his own.

“It was a great example for him,” says Salinas. “No matter how old you are, if you want to accomplish something, you have to put in the work.”

Since graduating in May 2025, Salinas has continued to advocate for physician recruitment and retention in Nevada. He serves on several state committees, advises the governor on health care issues, and is developing a three-part lecture series to teach medical students and residents about financial literacy in clinical practice.

Salinas is also preparing to launch a new product alongside nine-time Grammy Award winner Anderson .Paak—a mint designed to soothe the throat, inspired by his years working with performers in Las Vegas. “Everyone uses their voice,” he notes, “whether you’re a singer, doctor, teacher, or CEO.”

The lessons from his Harvard Medical School experience continue to guide him, whether in his clinical work, entrepreneurial ventures, or teaching. “One of the most important things I learned was the importance of empathy,” he says. “Every problem involves multiple stakeholders, and unless we understand each perspective, the best solution might not last.”

For prospective students, his advice is simple: “Just do it. Take advantage of the opportunity to learn from so many great people, and make the knowledge mean something. Don’t let the degree be just another piece of paper on the wall.”

Written by Lauren Young