I’ve spent almost two decades working in the industrial healthcare complex - first as a Registered Dietitian, and later as a healthcare director focused on policy, lobbying, and community engagement. I’ve had the privilege of advocating for better health systems in D.C. and Sacramento, and I’ve worked on the ground to push for change at the local level in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
And through it all, I gained something I didn’t expect:
A front-row seat to how the system works and how deeply it fails the people it’s meant to serve.
Over time, I’ve come to believe that much of this failure stems from the perverse financial incentives embedded in the system. So now, I think it’s time to ask the question out loud - especially to the people who actually have the power to change it:
Will healthcare executives finally put people over profits?
Or will they keep doubling down on a model that turns pain into revenue?
And as we ask that, we’re also watching what happens when the federal government slashes the very programs that kept this already-flawed system functioning programs that, while imperfect, were often the only thing standing between people and disaster.
So this year, I’m raising $5,000 for the American Heart Association, alongside my friend and community advocate Dr. John Maa. I believe the AHA is one of the few remaining organizations still committed to life-saving research, prevention, and public health education.
Even though I left the healthcare industry nearly a year ago, I’m not done trying. I just need to figure out another way that works.
And this is my first step.
So, if you’re also angry at the system, frustrated by the injustice, or unsure what to do next - I see you.
If you have a few dollars, please donate.
And if you have ideas for how to fix this system, drop them in the comments. Let’s talk.
