Healthcare equity isn’t theoretical. It’s about who lives, who dies, and who gets a chance. For Rita Johnson-Mills, this isn’t abstract. It’s the work of a lifetime.
As a former Medicaid executive, CEO, and now board leader, she has spent decades fighting to ensure Black and Brown communities receive the care, dignity, and leadership they deserve.
Rita’s not just breaking glass ceilings. She’s questioning who built the ceiling in the first place. Her leadership spans public health, corporate boardrooms, and the lives of the women she’s mentored into executive roles. Her impact is structural. Her mission is urgent.
In this episode of Inspiring Women with Laurie McGraw, Rita speaks about:
- What happens when DEI becomes too controversial to talk about in healthcare?
- What does it take to succeed when the systems were never designed for you?
- How can we protect the lives of Black mothers and babies when health equity is under threat?
- How can leaders build a legacy by mentoring the next generation of women executives?
- Why does boardroom diversity matter, and how do we make sure it’s more than lip service?
Rita’s leadership isn’t just impressive. It’s necessary. She’s not just creating space—she’s changing the system itself.
Chapters
00:00:31 Intro & Guest Introduction
00:02:26 Education & Path to Healthcare
00:03:37 Family Influence and Support
00:05:40 First Steps into Leadership
00:09:50 Being Authentic as a Woman of Color in the Workplace
00:12:03 Proud Legacy of Mentoring
00:13:20 Boardroom Diversity Concerns
00:16:07 Navigating Boardroom Service
00:19:56 Changing Corporate DEI Language
00:22:02 Importance of Health Equity Importance
00:24:36 Devastating Impact of Shifting Focus Off DEI in Healthcare
00:28:52 WBL Summit and Mentorship
00:30:20 Inspiring Career Advice
00:31:08 Closing Remarks
GUEST & HOST LINKS
Connect with Laurie McGraw on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurieasmcgraw/
Connect with Rita Johnson-Mills on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/rita-johnson-mills-18b99b6/
About CINQCARE https://cinq.care/
CONNECT WITH INSPIRING WOMEN
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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5q5h6Nd96Q5a7Qcpghkn6R?si=625346dcfbb44838
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