Diversity Spotlight: Allison Au

Allison Au

Elliot Roberts and Diversified Investment Advisors Leaders in Health Care Scholar
Summer Enrichment Program Alumna

Allison Au’s initial foray into health care was as a Vietnamese medical interpreter working in clinics and hospitals.  As a finance major at American University, she recognized the possibility of merging business with health care, deciding to work toward becoming a leader in the field.  She is well on her way to accomplishing this aim, having earned a master of health service administration at the George Washington University. 

During the summer following her first year of graduate school, Allison completed a co-sponsored summer internship with the Colorado Hospital Association and Rocky Mountain Health Plan.  The following summer, she participated in the Institute’s 2009 Summer Enrichment Program as an administrative intern with the Veterans Administration’s Illiana Health Care System in Danville, IL. 

Allison was the first double scholarship winner in the Institute’s history, receiving both the 2010 Elliot Roberts Scholarship and the 2010 Diversified Investment Advisors Leaders in Health Care Scholarship.

Allison notes that “the Institute for Diversity has…provided me with a hands-on opportunity to gain valuable experience.”  In turn, Allison has provided the field with an example of compassionate, culturally competent health care leadership—traits that embody the Institute’s vision and that indicate a bright future for health care.