Dreamers, Doers, and Disruptors: Cassaundra Young

Cassaundra Young knows the value of innovation in health care. Grounded in the belief that a world with equitable health care is obtainable, she is committed to recognizing and addressing the cultural and societal factors that influence health care experiences while championing value-based, whole-person care. 

Since graduating with an MPH from the Department of Health Policy and Management at Emory’s Rollins School of Public Health in 2009, Young has led health care quality improvement efforts and developed comprehensive strategies to improve health equity at a variety of organizations. Today, she serves as vice president of care model advancement at Equality Health, a health care platform dedicated to transforming what care looks like for the people who need it most. 

Here, Young discusses how personal experiences with the health care system inspired her career path, the importance of self-reflection and balance in professional growth, and the powerful role that mentorship plays in shaping careers and fostering future leaders. 

What inspired you to pursue the career path you’re on now?

I find that many people who embark on health care careers do so because of a personal experience. My journey is no different. I witnessed the challenges of the health care system as my family navigated my brother's childhood cancer diagnosis, and from an early age I saw how difficult this could be, especially for vulnerable populations.  

I am naturally inquisitive and drawn to complex problems, so my career path is based on a desire to find solutions that improve health care delivery and patient outcomes. I have an almost relentless belief that change is possible and that broken things can be fixed. I enjoy challenging the status quo! 

Health care is starting to shift toward innovation models with the goal of transformation, and it inspires me that we are taking those small steps towards a better system. Every time I see the incremental steps that are making a difference in people’s lives, it refuels my drive and points me back to my original “why” of making health care better and easier for populations as a whole. 

How do you balance work, personal life, and self-care, especially during demanding periods?  

I have a few things that I consider to be non-negotiable when it comes to balancing my personal and professional life that have evolved over the years. For example, I can't say that I am committed to improving health outcomes if I do not carve out time to focus on my own health. Being active and finding time to move my body daily is a priority for me. 

I have similar boundaries around family time and making sure I give my undivided attention to the most important people in my life. You cannot pour from an empty cup, so take the time to do the things that fill you up! I have burned out in the past, and recovering from that is much harder than properly delegating your time and energy upfront. 

As a people leader, I think it's important to model this for my teams so that they also give themselves permission to find balance. Work requires a lot of us at times, but if we can find the balance between work and life, not only are we better for it, but our colleagues and our organizations will benefit as well.

What do you see as the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field in the coming years?  

Changes in administration can lead to challenges in health policy and health care delivery. Many populations rely on federal programs to receive their care, and if there are legislative impacts that reduce funding for these programs, population health could suffer. 

While that is a big challenge and we may see some setbacks in public health, I also see it as an opportunity for innovation. How might we pivot in such a way that we, as health care professionals, can find solutions to continue delivering necessary care and education as our environment changes? I am encouraged that there are so many people committed to finding a way forward. 

What role has mentorship played in your life, both as a mentor and a mentee?  

I am very passionate about mentorship. I think it is the greatest gift to professional development—both being a mentor and having a mentor. 

I am the first woman in my family to go to college and start a career. I did not know many women of color pursuing corporate careers, and I was navigating my education and the early parts of my career alone. My first mentor showed me the value of having someone in your corner and being in someone else’s corner. 

I pride myself on my ability to coach and partner with young professionals who are getting started in their careers and helping them to chart their own paths. I have since built a professional brand around mentorship and career development, and it continues to be one of the most fulfilling parts of my work.