Rebecca Onie

Rebecca Onie is an American social entrepreneur and the co-founder of Health Leads, a non-profit organization that aims to address the social determinants of health by enabling healthcare providers to "prescribe" basic resources like food and housing to their patients. Her work has been influential in the field of public health and healthcare innovation.

Early Life and Education

Rebecca Onie was born and raised in the United States. She attended Harvard University, where she earned her undergraduate degree. She later attended Harvard Law School, where she developed a keen interest in the intersection of law, health, and social justice.

Career

Rebecca Onie's career began with a focus on addressing the root causes of poor health outcomes. While still a student at Harvard, she co-founded Health Leads in 1996 with the mission to break the link between poverty and poor health. The organization recruits and trains college students to work in clinics and connect patients with essential resources such as food, housing, and heating assistance.

Health Leads

Health Leads operates on the principle that healthcare should extend beyond medical treatment to include the social and environmental factors that affect health. Under Onie's leadership, the organization expanded its reach and impact, partnering with hospitals and clinics across the United States to integrate social needs into patient care.

Awards and Recognition

Rebecca Onie's innovative approach to healthcare has earned her numerous accolades. She was named a MacArthur Fellow in 2009, recognizing her as a leader in social innovation. She has also been featured in Forbes's "Impact 30" list of leading social entrepreneurs and has received the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship.

Impact on Healthcare

Rebecca Onie's work with Health Leads has been instrumental in shifting the healthcare paradigm to include social determinants of health. Her advocacy for a more holistic approach to patient care has influenced policy discussions and inspired other healthcare organizations to adopt similar models.

Also see

• Social determinants of health
• Public health
• Social entrepreneurship
• MacArthur Fellows Program