Whitney Okie Mbipeh

Alumni Office, Nutritional Sciences

Mbipeh gained confidence as a researcher during her time in the nutrition lab

Major/year graduated

BSFCS, Nutritional Sciences, 2016

Current occupation/location

Healthcare Executive, Philadelphia

What do you love about your current role?

What I love about this current role is being part of the impactful journey of Improving Lives at Jefferson Health as the Vice President of Operations. I get to lead diverse portfolios including Heart & Vascular, Transplant, and Oncology service lines, along with Imaging, Laboratory/Pathology, and Support Services. Each day brings new adventures and the chance to positively impact vulnerable patients. My daily interactions with dedicated staff members uplift me, while patient stories inspire me. In this role, there is no room for dull moments!

How did your time at FACS help prepare you for your life or career?:

I view my time at FACS as some of my most formative years second to my secondary school education years. When I joined FACS, I had a dream of becoming a cardiothoracic surgeron who understood not only the science of the field but how diet and lifestyle played a role in impacts patients. I quickly became involved in research and that sole decision would change my career path. FACS gave me the broad exposure I needed, through coursework, research lab and community engagement, to forge my own path forward.

What is one memorable experience you had as a student in FACS?

My most memorable experience was my time as an undergraduate research assistant in the Nutritional Genetics lab run by Dr. Robert Pazdro.

Dr. Pazdro challenged me to be curious, ask questions, develop a hypothesis and investigate. Despite my undergraduate status, he fostered a collaborative environment that bridged the gap between us undergraduates and the postgraduate researchers in the lab. Through this nurturing environment, I not only had the opportunity to co-lead two research projects but also to see them through to publication. These accomplishments significantly bolstered my confidence in my ability to think critically, dedicate myself to my pursuits and achieve results.

The skills of curiosity, dedication, and results-driven mindset that I honed during this time have been instrumental in propelling my career forward. Therefore, I encourage every FACS student to be open-minded and seize every opportunity FACS affords you. Embrace curiosity, never shy away from asking questions, delve into investigations, and stay committed to your pursuits. You will be pleasantly surprised at the unexpected places and careers this will unveil for you.