Meet Olivia Chung, MF, MS, RD, who has had an astonishingly diverse dietetic career. She is currently working with Blue Shield of California conducting “Shark Tank” events for healthcare start-ups and building a health equity workforce. Read on to learn about her intriguing job. - Sarah

What attracted you to the field of nutrition and dietetics?
Initially, I was so determined to become a journalist. But after being abused and starved by my host family while I was a high school student in Florida, I enrolled in the Nutrition classes at school just to get food to survive. My high school teacher then introduced me to the dietetic world and the rest was history =)

Your Job Title?
I have duo titles: Health Innovation Product Strategy Manager / Solution Strategist 

Company you are with now?
Blue Shield of California 

Website:
https://www.blueshieldca.com/

Social Media:
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/oliviachung

Describe a typical (or not so typical) day-in-the-work-life for you?
My day/week at work can be quite adventurous and it all depends on the new activities, politics, and operational changes by my internal and external networks. I co-founded a Health Equity Workforce at Blue Shield and created product prototypes with my amazing colleague. Our job (out of other responsibilities) is to outline key tactics and build lasting and equitable business solutions around health equity. When we mention health equity, we are addressing some of the most pressing social determinants of health factors i.e. access to healthy foods, quality health care/education, etc. At times, we need to present our business ideas to the executives. Or you can find us working with data scientists in the conference room, trying to find the next best solutions to create a just culture and build health equity.  

But on a weekly basis, you will find me casting my vote at my company’s ‘Shark Tank’ events. We interview different healthcare tech startups to select the most suitable ones to contract with. I have the privilege to establish the vendor requirements and to test their capabilities and technologies. It is FUN!

On a monthly basis, you may find me at different provider groups, offering them clinical operational and technological consultancy. 

How did you get your current job in dietetics?
My current position isn’t dietetic related. Yet, I am responsible for creating the health equity framework so that the key social determinants of health factors such as access to healthy foods, nutritional status are being highly considered as part of our products/services design roadmap.  

Before joining Blue Shield of California, I was the Accountable Care Program (ACO) Manager with Anthem Blue, implementing their new payment models to providers. Prior to that, I was a consultant for different healthcare IT startups, civic organizations and teaching (almost) full time at San Francisco State University on Nutrition and Community Health.

I started my career path as a clinical dietitian close to 20 years ago at Seton Medical Center. I then moved to Meals on Wheels of San Francisco as their Nutritionist. Later, I joined Heidy Camorongan’s team to roll out the SB 12/965 and the Wellness Policy at one of the largest unified school districts in California…That was more than a decade ago.

What skills were you born with and what skills have you learned along the way?
Born with – curiosity, observation skills, and imagination 

Have to learn along the way – finding consensus with others, negotiation skills, managing my anxiety level

What advice do you have for others wanting to be just as successful and fulfilled as you?
“Do something outside yourself – Use the education you have received to help repair tears in your community…ensure the health and well-being of your generation and generation following your own.” – By the Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg 

“Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you,” – Also by the Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg 

If you could be paid for your job with something other than a paycheck, what  would it be?
I would open a FREE women’s university with housing. Priority would go to those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds.