Dawn French, M.P.H. ’15 Goes from Breaking News to Breaking Barriers in Health Care
Reputations Are Built Not Only Through Hard Work, but Through Effective Communication
Dawn French, M.P.H. ’15, senior vice president for marketing, communication, and community relations at White Plains Hospital in White Plains, New York, and chair of the American Heart Association's Westchester/Fairfield Board of Directors, has made it her mission to strengthen the hospital’s reputation through underscoring its commitment to the community’s well-being and advancing its strategic vision to propel the hospital into the future.
“It was a bit accidental that I ended up in health care,” says French. “Now I cannot imagine doing anything else.” Two decades ago, immersed in a successful career in broadcast news, the married mother of three decided to step away temporarily to raise her family. That set the stage for a leap into the world of health care. “When it came time to return to the workforce, I applied for a job at White Plains Hospital,” she continued. “I saw the opportunity to leverage my skill-set and be able to make an impact in an incredibly meaningful field.”
New York Medical College laid the foundation for French’s health care career, where she earned a Master of Public Health in health policy and management in 2015. She remembers one particular class, led by Denise C. Tahara, M.B.A., Ph.D., former associate professor of public health, which exposed her to the many aspects of health care management. “There was a lot of project-based work,” recalls French, “which gave us real-life examples through case studies, and we were encouraged to develop innovative solutions.” A project promoting immunizations in the undocumented population broadened her understanding of health care barriers and earned her capstone group an award for their work.
As the health care landscape evolves, French remains at the forefront of change, helping to steer White Plains Hospital through challenges, most notably during the COVID-19 pandemic, and embracing trends that shape the future of health care. With a focus on accessibility, the hospital’s network now spans 31 locations, and has continue to bring more advanced programs and services to the region, ensuring that quality care is never far away for patients.
“Health care is constantly evolving as new technologies and treatments are discovered and patient populations grow and change, which is why collaboration among doctors, nurses, and support staff is key,” explains French. For the community, she and her team aim to build on the reputation of White Plains Hospital. “A big part of my team’s role is education around prevention and staying healthy. We want to keep people out of the hospital, but of course, when you are sick you want the best care and I feel very proud of the high-quality care we provide to the community.”
French’s journey from broadcast journalism to health care administration is not just a career shift; it is a testament to the transformative power of embracing unexpected paths, taking on new challenges, and finding fulfillment. “Health care is such a gratifying profession—every day you are doing work that impacts someone’s life. It is an incredibly rewarding career."
