Growing up, Ronisha Edwards-Elliott, MSW, LSW, wanted to be a medical doctor. “I chose a health profession because of my personal experience as a patient,” she says, “and the desire to treat patients who looked like me. As a child I did not see many people of color as doctors or other health professionals.”

She earned a Bachelor of Art from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a double major in Criminal Justice and Sociology, and Master of Social Work degree from Boise State University in Idaho. She is currently a PhD candidate at Northern Illinois University.

Ronisha’s career was shaped by her personal journey as a patient. “I have had the pleasure of having many professional titles, but my favorite is patient advocate. I was born with a genetic disorder, sickle cell disease. This disease is hallmarked by pain and primarily affects people of African and Latin descent, which increases health disparities and discrimination while receiving care.”

“As a patient first,” she says, “I knew my goal in life was to find ways to advocate and reform health care. What better way than by helping to build a more educated and equitable health workforce? My personal experience as a patient is very valuable and impactful to my professional career. This is not just a career for me, but is my life purpose.”

Living again in her home town of Lansing, Illinois, a south suburb of Chicago, Ronisha says that she enjoys “my church, singing, and traveling.” The photo of her was taken in Lisbon, Portugal, this January.

At Health & Medicine Policy Research Group, Chicago AHEC’s host organization, Ronisha is director of Chicago AHEC as well as of workforce programs overall. “I am super excited to be a part of the Illinois AHEC team and Health and Medicine,” she says. “I am looking forward to building a more equitable health workforce.” Before starting this position, she “had the pleasure of being a mental health therapist.”

Her advice to students considering a health care career? “Choose a career that speaks to your purpose, and show up every day because you are passionate about what you have chosen to do. Explore different health professions, because there are various types, and we should remain informed of our colleagues within other disciplines.”