Kristina McCaw

Your work centers around advocating for racial and gender disparities in healthcare, what initially drew you to this work? 

Growing up as a Black woman from the Caribbean and now working in various healthcare settings in the US—from rural critical access to large academic centers—I’ve seen firsthand the impacts of racial and gender disparities. This personal and professional lens fuels my commitment to advancing equitable healthcare solutions. I’m especially passionate about using data and clinical informatics to bridge these gaps, ensuring that all patients receive high-quality, culturally competent care.

MCiM is a multidisciplinary program that integrates healthcare, technology, and business. Given your focus on addressing racial and gender disparities in healthcare, how has the MCiM program helped to enhance and expand your work in this area?

MCiM has equipped me with the skills to approach healthcare disparities from a strategic, data-driven perspective. By integrating healthcare, technology, and business, I’ve learned the process to design scalable, tech-enabled solutions that address systemic gaps. This multidisciplinary approach has been invaluable as I work on projects that directly tackle racial and gender disparities, empowering me to drive sustainable, impactful change in healthcare.

What experiences and opportunities have you enjoyed now that you are a student again?

As a student again, I’ve enjoyed the chance to immerse myself in new perspectives and collaborate with diverse peers from various fields. The program’s hands-on assignments and case studies have been particularly valuable, allowing me to apply my clinical experience in fresh ways and learn from others in tech and business. I’m also grateful for the opportunity to connect with mentors and industry leaders, which has expanded my vision of what’s possible in healthcare innovation.

As you approach the halfway point of the program, have you gained any insights, skills, or strategies that have strengthened you as a leader?

At the halfway point of the program, my long-term vision has expanded to include a stronger focus on health tech and innovation. I now see the potential for technology to drive real change in healthcare. The program has given me practical skills in data analysis, finance, and strategic thinking, all of which have strengthened my confidence as a leader. Collaborating with peers from diverse backgrounds has also helped me appreciate different approaches to problem-solving, making me more adaptable and open-minded in my leadership style.