Gina Johnson, MD

I am looking forward to understanding and leveraging systems to transform care in my community while addressing the policies and environmental drivers that underlie inequity throughout our nation. The MHCDS program will equip me to continue the work of bringing health to my community while preparing to lead into the future.

I have been a pediatrician at a federally qualified health system for over 20 years, serving as the pediatric medical director for the past seven years. I see patients clinically 50% and am administrative 50% of the time. I also enjoy running marathons with Team World Vision, providing clean water and child sponsorships throughout the world.  My mom and I completed the 7th of our world marathon majors last fall in Sydney. I am active with my church, serving the families experiencing homelessness in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles. 

In addition to running and serving at my church, I love to read and enjoy crocheting. I also enjoy traveling to serve internationally on mission trips and with my family.

Why did you decide to pursue an MHCDS degree?

I am looking forward to understanding and leveraging systems to transform care in my community while addressing the policies and environmental drivers that underlie inequity throughout our nation. The MHCDS program will equip me to continue the work of bringing health to my community while preparing to lead into the future.

Why did you choose MHCDS over another type of master’s program like an MBA, MPH, or MHA? 

The MHCDS is the perfect combination of business and public health to equip graduates to lead in a health care industry that is becoming increasingly led by financiers.  I am being prepared to be able to speak in boardrooms as well as medical staff meetings.  I will be a better advocate for well-being in my community by understanding the intersecting economic, social, and environmental systems that constitute health care in the 21st century and learning how to leverage competing interests to bring health. 

What has been the best part of the program for you – so far? 

The absolute best part, and at times the most challenging component of this program, are the group projects.  As our study group grapples together with these difficult concepts, what invariably emerges is a finished product which we could never have created on our own.  The members of my action learning project team exemplify the proverb of iron sharpening iron, bringing intellectual curiosity and passion to a challenging and important topic—improving access to primary care for all.

How have you used the MHCDS knowledge you have gained so far? 

I have a much deeper understanding of the balance sheets our CFO presents to our executive staff, and can engage more in our budgeting decisions.  I have commented on the importance of positioning ourselves as a quality differentiator in the competition for patients in our community.  Just today, I spoke with our CMO about the financial implications of unplanned session reductions, as compared with thoughtful, carefully thought-out changes.  I have revised my personal mission and vision statements and am becoming more efficient at my use of time and in my communication throughout our organization and beyond.  When my friends and family ask about the program and what I am learning, I tell them how much I enjoy the program, and how much I appreciate that every week I get to immediately use what I learn in class at work.  The homework is always applicable—with one of our first group homework projects, we created a process map to get folic acid supplementation to women of childbearing age, which I then turned around and used to design the algorithm for the women we see in our organization.

Is there anything that surprised you about your MHCDS experience?

I am enjoying being back in school at this point in my life more than I expected.  I am pleasantly surprised by how I am able to balance my full-time position as pediatric medical director, training for and running marathons, family, ministry, and school.