Creshelle Nash, M.D., M.P.H., C.H.I.E.
Medical Director for Health Equity & Public Programs
Hometown: Texarkana, AR
Briefly describe your role:
I lead the company’s efforts to address health disparities in Arkansas and support the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association on its recently launched National Health Equity Strategy. I provide leadership on public programs and products to improve health equity for all Arkansans, coming to this position after working 15 years in clinical practice, teaching and community engagement.
Q: Is what you’re doing now what you always pictured you would do?
A: I believe I was meant to walk this path. When I went to medical school, I witnessed how people were treated differently in the healthcare industry — students of color, patients of color, doctors of color, and everyone else. Before I began to study it professionally, it was like a constant undercurrent that I was unable to describe. Now I see it's implicit (and occasionally explicit) systemic racial bias. Now I am working to eradicate these biases to improve health equity, so everything came full circle for me.
Q: What do you see as the greatest challenges for women in your chosen industry? What are the greatest opportunities?
A: As a woman of color who has witnessed first-hand the challenges our communities and state are facing related to mental health, substance use disorder, and other systemic health disparities, I know just how challenging it can be to build system-wide change from within.
But because of my lived experience and perspectives, I knew where Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, as a lifelong health partner, needed to evolve. One of the greatest opportunities I see in my role as a native Arkansan working to improve health and wellbeing is to bring my voice to the table and illustrate the value in embracing a foundation of health equity. Not just within healthcare- or patient-facing roles, but in every facet of an organization. We cannot do this alone, but together, we can make health equity a reality.
Q: Who has inspired you in your life/career?
A: Throughout my career, a lot of people have inspired me, but I would have to say my father. I still find myself applying the wisdom he has given me today. He taught me valuable lessons about how much more is going on in the world than just our individual lives. It ultimately boils down to what you're trying to do and who you're trying to help, whether it's disadvantaged friends, family members, or neighbors. Through serving others, I am serving myself and my community.
Q: What advice would you give to an aspiring professional?
A: Well, I’ve discovered that the best things in life are achieved through a steadfast commitment to a cause you believe in, so I’d say make sure you find one. Having a goal and bringing about change won't be linear; there will be mistakes, setbacks, and triumphs that all contribute to your learning and growth. Just remember to seek moments of happiness along the way.
Q: What’s been your secret to success?
A: Fortunately, I work in a place that allows me to focus on what I am called to do: improve the health of individuals and communities. It’s this passion and compassion that I bring to my work that keeps me going. When I find myself hitting a wall, I stop and take a deep breath to let the feelings pass, which allows me to think critically and seek out the learning opportunity.
