Ebyan Abdisalam
Graduate School attended: University of Minnesota School of Public Health
Graduate Degree or expected: Master of Healthcare Administration - May 2020
Undergraduate School attended: University of Minnesota
Undergraduate Degree or expected: Dual degree student; B.S. Geography and B.A.Sc. Health Services Management (May 2018)
Specific Area of Interest within Field: Population Health Management and Business Development
Hometown: Saint Paul, Minnesota
Why did you want to be a Kruse Communities of Excellence Scholar?
I wanted to be a Kruse Communities of Excellence Scholar to gain the opportunity to learn how to sustain community partnerships and use a systems-based approach to create tangible change in communities, both locally and globally. Many health systems continue to only focus on individual behavior in health, ignoring the role that structural inequities and the community play in shaping the health of individuals. I am excited to learn directly from leaders and organizations that are using the Baldrige framework to create community-driven initiatives and to foster my personal mission of promoting equity.
What are you most passionate about in your community?
I am passionate about promoting the engagement of communities and increasing their involvement in addressing the social determinants of health. I believe that collaboration of community leaders is necessary to develop strategic goals that can empower communities to manage their own needs. When communities are empowered and are provided the necessary resources, they can appropriately address the socioeconomic, political and cultural barriers that reduce access to health and influence development.
How do you plan to contribute to spreading “communities of excellence” across our country now and in the future?
I hope to build a network of like-minded individuals that understand the importance of building and strengthening community partnerships to improve the health and wellbeing of communities. I plan to be involved in cross sectoral efforts that span across industries and organizations to build those necessary relationships, and to spread the idea of meaningful collaboration and community engagement. By involving myself in projects that leverage these partnerships, I hope to demonstrate the success of “communities of excellence” and teach others to engage with this framework.
FUN FACTS
What has been your favorite class:
Strategy: Competing Globally
What are your favorite hobbies by the season:
Fall: Haunted houses and drinking a lot of chai latte
Winter: Reading at Barnes and Noble and eating dark chocolate
Spring: Visiting spas to recover from winter hibernation
Summer: Traveling
What is something unique about you:
I speak 3 languages and I am currently teaching myself 2 more.
What’s the favorite place you been to?
My favorite place I’ve been to is Istanbul, Turkey. It’s magical!
Where do you want to live?
I would love to live in a big city, with the obnoxious lights and traffic noises and all.
