The inspiration for Nwando’s talk is the power and importance of our unique stories and backgrounds in enabling medical professionals to equitably serve a diverse group of patients. Nwando was inspired by an encounter with a patient who was devastated when Nwando was leaving her medical practice. The patient was afraid no one would understand her. Nwando explains that to pursue health equity, a person’s care team must encourage diversity of background, thought, and lived experience. People need to pursue their health dreams even if they do not feel like they readily belong, and organizations should encourage different voices to reach many and diverse communities. Dr. Nwando Anyaoku was born and raised in Nigeria, West Africa. She received her medical degree from the University of Nigeria and completed her residency training in pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of New Jersey, serving as chief resident. Dr. Anyaoku holds a master’s in public health and a master’s in business administration. Currently, she is Vice President and the inaugural Chief Health Equity Officer for Swedish Health Services. Dr. Anyaoku has been at Swedish since 2016 in leadership over pediatrics and Medicaid strategy, and served as the physician lead for health equity and community partnerships. Prior to these roles, Dr. Anyaoku served as the Division Chief of General Pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of New Jersey and the Medical Director of Pediatrics for CHI Alegent Creighton Health in Omaha, Nebraska. She is also a board-certified pediatrician and professor of pediatrics. Dr. Nwando Anyaoku was born and raised in Nigeria, West Africa. She received her medical degree from the University of Nigeria and completed her residency training in pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of New Jersey, serving as chief resident. Dr. Anyaoku holds a master’s in public health and a master’s in business administration. Currently, she is Vice President and the inaugural Chief Health Equity Officer for Swedish Health Services. Dr. Anyaoku has been at Swedish since 2016 in leadership over pediatrics and Medicaid strategy, and served as the physician lead for health equity and community partnerships. Prior to these roles, Dr. Anyaoku served as the Division Chief of General Pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of New Jersey and the Medical Director of Pediatrics for CHI Alegent Creighton Health in Omaha, Nebraska. She is also a board-certified pediatrician and professor of pediatrics. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx