Bianca Belcher, PA-C, MPH’10
National Director of Bundled Payments at Steward Health Care Network; Former Director, Center for Healthcare Leadership and Management at AAPA See Bianca's ProfileGerald Onuoha, MD, MS’15
Internal Medicine Resident Healthcare Meharry Medical College, Nashville General Hospital
As a third-year resident in internal medicine at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, Gerald Onuoha spends most of his time caring for patients at Nashville General Hospital. A typical day for Onuoha consists of reviewing patient charts, leading and overseeing rounds, writing additional orders from overnight admissions, and organizing community outreach initiatives. “Healing the person as well as the community” is one of Onuoha’s mottos. And, he credits Dartmouth with helping prepare him to meet the needs and wishes of individual patients and the community as a whole.
“At Dartmouth I learned how to ask the right questions, analyze complex problems, and develop practical solutions that help move the needle forward on getting patients the right care; those things have worked very well for me,” Onuoha says.
While Onuoha is going to be working on the frontlines of care as a clinician in private practice, his Dartmouth Institute training and perspective has galvanized his interests in informatics, health policy, and expanding access to care. “It pains me to see people who work hard every day—who contribute to society and the success of the country—not have access to quality care,” he says. “Healthcare is such a key component to the improvement and sustainment of a prosperous community, especially when it comes to the economy. If a person has access to quality healthcare, they will be more apt to maintain employment and work more efficiently. This leads to a larger pool of more skilled and determined workers. While healthcare is a piece of a larger mosaic, it is a significant piece. Because of this I am committed to increasing the amount of people who have access and can get care.”
"I love Dartmouth and The Dartmouth Institute. There’s a unique spirit there. It’s very diverse in its approach to healthcare improvement and education. You are exposed to multiple perspectives: For every concept presented to you, they also give the counter argument, allowing you to come to your own conclusions and make your own decisions. I really appreciate that.
When I was there, I received a warm embrace from everyone. Coming from Nashville, I thought I was going to be a fish out of water, especially because I was so far north. But, whether it was helping me navigate on campus and in the town of Hanover or making sure I had a home-cooked meal, warm coat, and boots for the winter, Dartmouth was with me every step of the way.
When my colleagues ask me about places to go to further their education and get more training in healthcare and research, I say, 'Go to Dartmouth!'"