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"The ultimate test of integrity is what we're willing to risk to uphold our core values."…
Articles by Rebecca
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Rebecca Pizzitola, MPH shared thisOn the tail end of #MLK Day, I’m thinking about the difference between legal compliance and true inclusion. “Legal” is the lowest bar. It’s not a moral standard—it’s just enough to avoid being criminal. Legal does not mean ethical. Legal does not mean inclusive. Legal does not mean just. True #inclusion isn’t about meeting minimum legal requirements. It’s about asking who is still excluded when the law falls short—and committing to continuous improvement. It’s about doing the right thing even when systems reward silence. MLK’s work reminds us that justice isn’t a checkbox or website copy. It’s an ongoing effort to make institutions take action towards the values we claim to hold.
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Rebecca Pizzitola, MPH shared thisA reminder to all the agents of change borne from the fire: #quotes #flymetothemoon
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Rebecca Pizzitola, MPH shared thisFrom endangered species to healthcare to higher education, current federal policies continue to create barriers for women, immigrants, and working families. The latest IWPR analysis highlights how the OBBB framework is directly restricting access to higher education for women—especially in fields like nursing where we are already experiencing severe shortages. When political decisions limit educational pathways for female-dominated professions, the downstream impacts are enormous: workforce gaps, worsening health outcomes, and reduced economic mobility. We need leaders across sectors to understand what these policies actually mean for communities on the ground. What steps can those of us in healthcare, education, and public policy take to push for change? #STEM #NursingShortage #HigherEd #WorkforceDevelopment #Equity https://lnkd.in/gRHdKvxYFrom Pathways to Roadblocks: How the OBBB Limits Women’s Access to Higher Education - IWPRFrom Pathways to Roadblocks: How the OBBB Limits Women’s Access to Higher Education - IWPR
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Rebecca Pizzitola, MPH shared thisI’ve been talking to ChatGPT a lot lately. It knows me strangely well in some ways — after helping me outline cover letters, talk through grief and burnout, explore job paths, and roast me for some of my own blind spots. Today, after another chat, ChatGPT told me: Pursuing the path to becoming a PA may not end the way I hope — I might struggle in a system I’m not hired to change, with limited autonomy, lots of repetitive tasks, and little room for creative problem-solving or innovation. That hit. Because it’s true that what’s always set me apart is the drive to create real, equity-driven change — even when I’m exhausted or underpaid. I like solving problems others avoid, analyzing data, translating research into action, and writing with a bold voice (not just buried in grant reports or academic papers). ChatGPT reminded me: “You still care. You still try. You still show up. That’s not failure — that’s resilience, misalignment, and fatigue. Not laziness. Not lack of talent.” I imagine this is a pretty informed fortune cookie fortune — which worries me. So I’m reaching out to my community: WHAT kinds of jobs or paths are out there for someone who loves designing innovative interventions, digging into research to bubble solutions to the surface, pushing for equity, and writing with clarity and fire? WHO do you know doing work that feels real and alive — whether that’s narrative strategy, UX with an equity lens, systems-focused public health, or something I haven’t even considered yet? AND who do you know who has transitioned into or out of a clinical role like being a PA who could offer me a few moments of their time?
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Rebecca Pizzitola, MPH shared this“Oscar Wilde said that if you know what you want to be, then you inevitably become it - that is your punishment, but if you never know, then you can be anything. There is a truth to that. We are not nouns, we are verbs. I am not a thing - an actor, a writer - I am a person who does things - I write, I act - and I never know what I am going to do next. I think you can be imprisoned if you think of yourself as a noun.” -Stephen Fry As for what I wanna *do*, something new! ACTIVELY looking for new gigs, either in my field of public health or in something that allows me to pivot my people management and organizational skills as a project manager to something more focused on the people part -- moving people forward as much as any project. Please message me or refer me out if you have leads or ideas since “networking is the best strategy.” (-every HR person ever) Note: A job with stability and growth potential matters more to me than just salary, and I am willing to relocate. Top skills: Project & Program Management, Health Equity & Social Justice, Strategic Planning & Leadership, Stakeholder Outreach & Engagement, Public Speaking & Writing, Research & Data Analysis, Health Education & Policy Analysis
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Rebecca Pizzitola, MPH shared thisCool.A company replaced all of its managers with coaches. Employees became 20% more productive–and much happier | FortuneA company replaced all of its managers with coaches. Employees became 20% more productive–and much happier | Fortune
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Rebecca Pizzitola, MPH shared thisRebecca Pizzitola, MPH shared thisWe often hear "data doesn't lie" when it comes to diversity, equity and inclusion data. Whether this is to build a business case, monitor progress, or identify areas to prioritise for a strategy... there are always ways data can be interpreted or used in a misleading way. In fact, I often see approaches to DEI data that are very problematic! So here are 7 examples of how DEI data goes wrong... Add your own examples in the comments! #dei #diversityandinclusiondata
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Rebecca Pizzitola, MPH shared thisWe all automate towards comfort. We have to actively embrace the discomfort that naturally accompanies becoming aware of and confronting our #bias, #prejudice, #discrimination, and #racism. We can keep having our workers take the #IAT and courses in #implicitbias, and we can and should literally change the face of the workforce to look like the population served by [insert industry or organization]. But perhaps #artificialintelligence, in all its linearity and objectivity and sustained presence (vs. one-off or infrequent trainings), can be a powerful partner in leading change. After all, how mad can we get at a robot for calling us out?! I mean, how many people actually throw their computer out the window these days? #workforcedevelopment #ai #UnBIASED #healthequityRebecca Pizzitola, MPH shared thisI am thrilled to share that our work to address implicit bias in healthcare using informatics is featured in Science Magazine! The Science feature article by Rodrigo Pérez Ortega "Do no unconscious harm" discusses how researchers are tackling this problem, including the research project I lead "UnBIASED" with Nadir Weibel, Wanda Pratt, Janice Sabin (she/her), and Brian Wood, and an incredible team of students! https://lnkd.in/g45CMVtJDo no unconscious harm: Can ‘hidden’ prejudices in medicine be stamped out?Do no unconscious harm: Can ‘hidden’ prejudices in medicine be stamped out?
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Rebecca Pizzitola, MPH shared thisCool opportunity for #Seattle artists to interpret the future of the city for better and worse.
Rebecca Pizzitola, MPH commented on a post
1y
I’m not just changing careers; I’m starting over! It’s scary and going to be a long and expensive path, but my career so far (in public health) has been unstable for a long time (e.g., grant-funded roles) and now is crumbling after COVID swallowed huge bites of funding… plus now shifting political priorities. I have seen pages of job openings change to single digits, salaries being halved, and retirees not being replaced. So, I saw the writing on the wall and decided to start over. As many others second-guess my choice, telling me it is silly to take a low-wage entry-level job that only requires a high school diploma and to pay to redo classes I took in college, I wonder if they are right but also know the rollercoaster I’ve been on has left me nauseous… So, why not? It may be 2-4 years of earning little on top of paying for coursework, followed by 2+ years of crazy tuition and the opportunity cost of making nada those years, but… maybe it’ll even out compared to unstable grant-based work and be more enjoyable? It remains to be seen, but when I looked for ways to “build on what I have” vs. “start over,” my gut said, “if your only fear is effort, money and time, just do it. Easier paths aren’t often as rewarding.”
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Rebecca Pizzitola, MPH reacted on thisRebecca Pizzitola, MPH reacted on thisCongrats to Antwinett Lee, interim chief nurse administrator, who has been named to the 2026 Hall of Fame for the Washington State Nurses Association. #lifeatspu #academics #nursing
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Rebecca Pizzitola, MPH liked thisRebecca Pizzitola, MPH liked thisOne week ago today we were honored to present the annual WSPHA Awards at #wspha2025. Please join us in congratulating Jefferson Ketchel (he/him) for receiving the Public Health Leadership Award! Jeff currently works at the Washington State Department of Health as the Foundational Public Health Services Director. He has served as a mentor for countless students and young professionals alike. Not only that, Jeff is always willing to change his mind as the data and facts evolve. We love that about him. As you know, Jeff is a long-time supporter (and former staff) here at WSPHA, but we want to say that we had nothing to do with this nomination! 100% well-deserved!
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Rebecca Pizzitola, MPH liked thisRebecca Pizzitola, MPH liked this9 things I do as a female CEO that would send tech bro founders into a coma 1️⃣ I give my team a paid week off every quarter Most companies talk productivity, deadlines, hustle. I believe in cycles—of rhythm and rest. Every few months, we pause. No Slack. No urgent calls. Just space to breathe and reset. Productivity doesn’t dip. It rebounds. 2️⃣ I let people bring their kids to meetings Our brand director joins meetings with her baby strapped to her chest. No judgment. No weirdness. We’re human beings with lives, families, and unexpected schedules. 3️⃣ Complete remote flexibility You might take calls from a café in Europe or wait in your car for school pickup. As long as the work is done, the location doesn’t matter. Too many traditional workplaces still equate presence with productivity. I trust people to do their work where they can do it best. 4️⃣ We offer paid menstrual leave Because the pain, fatigue, and physical toll of menstruation are real, not optional. It’s not about “giving special treatment,” it’s about giving equity. 5️⃣ I pay people “free money” for their 401(k) contributions Retirement shouldn’t be a luxury. I make contributing easier by stepping up too. If team members put money into retirement, the company meets them. It’s how we move from just talking about building wealth to co-creating it with the people who make the mission real. 6️⃣ An all-female, supportive team Yes — I built a team of women -- choosing to intentionally create a space where women lead, support, and challenge each other. It changes everything — the way we talk, the way we innovate, the way we hold each other up. 7️⃣ No permission needed for checkups, breaks, real life Doctor’s appointment? Midday workout? Mental health hour? You don’t need permission. You just take it. Because work is not your entire life. I believe people should take care of their bodies, their minds, their loved ones — and still do great work. 8️⃣ We acknowledged things felt traumatic — and gave time off When Trump got elected, we cried together. Then we took time to heal. Because resilience isn’t about pretending everything’s fine. It’s about caring enough to pause. 9️⃣ Unlimited PTO on top of quarterly breaks Unlimited PTO and the expectation that you’ll use it. Plus the four company rest weeks. Yes, you might raise your eyebrow. But it’s not about giving people days off. It’s about giving people life. In an industry built by and for men, doing these things might shock some. But for me? They’re non-negotiables. To every founder, leader, or person thinking about leading their next team: What norms are you inheriting that need to be redesigned? What would your organization look like if it was built for the most vulnerable, not the most powerful? And how would your people—and by extension, your impact—be different if you led that way? I’m proud of the culture we’ve built, and I’m not backing down. Let’s stop pretending that work has to cost us our humanity.
Experience & Education
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UPMC
View Rebecca’s full experience
See their title, tenure and more.
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Licenses & Certifications
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Dispute Resolution | Conflict Mediation — Basic Professional Mediation Training
Volunteers of America
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Protecting Human Research Participants
National Institutes of Health Office of Extramural Research
IssuedCredential ID 2875999 -
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Los Angeles Fire Department
Issued
Volunteer Experience
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Board of Directors | Secretary | Fundraising Chair
Seattle City of Literature
- 3 years
Arts and Culture
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Mentor, Cornell Alumni-Student Mentoring Program
Cornell University
- Present 18 years 8 months
Education
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Reviewer | Judge
Coro Fellowship Program in Public Affairs
- Present 5 years 4 months
Civil Rights and Social Action
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Administrator
DEI Learning Network
- Present 5 years 1 month
Civil Rights and Social Action
Goals: Learn about DEI together. Share successes, failures and best practices on DEI strategies across different industries. Post resources for tomorrow and lifelong learning. Pair up with or become a mentor.
Feel free to join: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13972489/ -
Board of Directors
Christmas House (Snohomish County)
- 2 years 6 months
Poverty Alleviation
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Board of Directors
Snohomish for Equity
- 3 months
Civil Rights and Social Action
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Literacy Tutor
Literacy Network of Greater Los Angeles
- 1 year
Education
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Member
Leaders’ Club YMCA
- 7 years
Social Services
Publications
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Creating a New Generation of Pediatric Dentists: A Paradigm Shift in Training
Journal of Dental Education
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A Model for Community-Based Pediatric Oral Heath: Implementation of an Infant Oral Care Program
International Journal of Dentistry
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Oral Health Considerations in HIV-Infected Children
Current HIV/AIDS Reports
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Covering the MIAs: Federal Reform and a State Waiver
Insure the Uninsured Project
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Covering the MIAs: Counties, Federal Reform and a State Waiver
Insure the Uninsured Project
Courses
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Adopting an Inclusion Mindset at Work (Insperity, 2022)
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Allyship at Work (Lean In, 2022)
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Entrepreneurship and New Venture Formation (UCLA, 2014)
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Equitable Research Design (Cornell University, 2023)
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Moving From Bias to Inclusion in a DEI Journey (Insperity, 2022)
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Next Level Nonprofit: Board Practice, Finance and Nonprofit Law (Washington Nonprofits, 2019)
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Recognizing and Addressing Micro-Behaviors in the Workplace (Insperity, 2022)
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Technologies for Interactive Marketing (USC, 2014)
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The Science of Well-Being (Yale, 2020)
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Want to Talk? Communication Tools for a Divided Time (Just Faith Ministries, 2022)
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Workplace Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Action (Insperity, 2022)
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Honors & Awards
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Speaker
Health Commons Project
“Outbreak Mitigation: COVID-19 in K12 Schools”
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Speaker
Upwardly Global
"Healthcare Industry Expert-to-Staff Training: Health Equity and DEI"
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Speaker
Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission
"Continuing Competence in Nursing: Survey and Evaluation Recommendations"
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Speaker & Facilitator
Lean In Seattle
"DEI: Talking About Race: An Open Circle for Emerging Allies" (Series: July, August, & September 2020)
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Conference Speaker
Future of Nursing Campaign for Action: Innovations in Health Care 2020-2030
"How Nurses Can Drive Diversity, Inclusion and Health Equity in Washington State"
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Presenter
NWone Annual Conference: Dare to Lead
"Moving Healthcare Upstream in WA: Understanding the Opportunities and Barriers Nurses Encounter When Addressing the Social Determinants of Health at the Point of Care"
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Guest Lecturer
University of Southern California
"Compelling Writing for Academics"
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Conference Speaker
Los Angeles Universal Preschool
"Covering the Flex Workforce: Childcare Workers"
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Presenter
ITUP Legislative Briefing, Sacramento
"Lessons on Cost Containment and Public-Private Partnerships"
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Panel Moderator
Insure the Uninsured Project Annual Conference
"Cost Containment" and "The Ten County Coverage Initiatives"
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Expert Witness
Reaching Higher for Healthcare Coalition
"Amending the Living Wage Ordinance in Los Angeles County"
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Expert Witness
Los Angeles City Council's Hearing on Ending Poverty
"Lessons from Healthy San Francisco"
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Guest Lecturer
University of California, Los Angeles
"Vote 2008: Health in Politics"
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Conference Speaker
Pacific Community Ventures
"Health Insurance Options for Small Business Employers"
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Guest Lecturer
University of California, Los Angeles
"Building Capacity to Increase Access to Healthcare and Improve Health Outcomes"
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Project Team Leader & Fellow
Coro Health Leadership Program
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Fellow
Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health
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Program Evaluation Team Leader and Corps Member
AmeriCorps*NCCC
Languages
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English
Native or bilingual proficiency
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