Dr. Pooja Mittal

Cues and Views

Equity and justice focused strategic leader Dr. Pooja Mittal, in brief.

May 4, 2023
3 Minutes
Dr. Pooja Mittal

Home: San Francisco Bay Area, CA.  Birthplace: Toronto (eh!).  Title: Vice President, Chief Health Equity Officer.  Pronouns: She/Her/Hers.  Significant other: My BAE, Vivek.   Languages spoken: English, Spanish and Hindi.

Recent recognition: Publishing a paper with my colleagues on “The Experiences of Black Community-Based Doulas as They Mitigate Systems of Racism: A Qualitative Study”.  Latest accomplishment: Becoming President Elect of the California Health Care Foundation Alumni Association.  Latest contribution to others: Providing mentorship to the CERC Design, Innovation and Clinical Entrepreneurship (DICE) Fellows at Stanford.  Hobbies: Hiking, reading fiction and traveling to find the best chocolate chip cookie.  Recent travel or adventure: Trip to Cartagena, Colombia

Personality profile: ENTJ (Commander: Extrovert, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging).  What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Intense.  Moral compass: Does this make things better for those who are often not considered?  How do you define a perfect friendship? Inspirational, warm and fun.  What is your greatest joy? My three daughters.  What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Good food.  What is your go-to workout? Peloton Strength.  What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Warm weather and, ideally, a beach.

What was your favorite college course? Insect Behavior, very unexpected!  What movie have you repeatedly watched? The Proposal.  Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My husband.   What’s the best advice you received in your career? Show up as your authentic self.  What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? Significant medical challenges, including preterm pregnancies.

As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A doctor.  What advice would you give your younger self? Know your worth.  Which author would you like to spend the day with? Trevor Noah.  What day in your life would you choose to re-live? My wedding day – I would have been in the moment and enjoyed it more. 

Personal mission: Advance equity within the health system.  Personal motto: Look around and do what you can to make the world a better place. Favorite quote: "If you were born with the weakness to fall, you were born with the strength to rise" (Rupi Kaur).

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