Magdala Chery, DO, MBS, Health Equity & Clinical Operations Lead
Dr. Magdala Chery, DO, MBS, is a doctor, speaker, and activist on a mission to connect the linkages between societal and physical ills in both her professional and public life. In her professional capacity, Dr. Chery was recently a Commonwealth Fund Fellow in Minority Health Policy at Harvard University. This fellowship is a competitive training program designed to prepare physicians, to become leaders who improve the health of disadvantaged and vulnerable populations through transforming health care delivery systems, and promoting innovation in policies, practice, and programs that address health equity and the social determinants of health.
Prior to this, Dr. Magdala Chery served as a primary care general internist and assistant professor of Medicine at Rowan Medicine in New Jersey. Dr. Chery’s holistic approach to patient care includes a focus on women’s health, lifestyle behavioral coaching, addressing health disparities in vulnerable populations, and mental health. Dr. Chery’s dynamic and exceptional medical approach has already led to her recognition as a leading practitioner in her field: in both 2018 and 2019, Dr. Chery was named a Top Physician by South Jersey Magazine.
She has a longstanding dedication to public health and public service which is seen through her accomplishments as an Albert Schweitzer Fellow, Paul Ambrose Scholar, and New Leaders Council Fellow for the New Jersey Chapter in 2018. Outside of the office, she is an on-demand nationally recognized speaker who has delivered many keynotes at events across the nation. She leaves her audience inspired, encouraged, and energized.
Most recently in 2020, Dr. Chery has suffered the loss of her father and mother to COVID-19. Through this tragic experience, she personally witnessed the impact of injustice and racism in our healthcare system. Realizing that her father’s story was simply an amplified narrative that exists in our communities, she turned her pain into purpose and created the #NotJustABlackBody campaign. This platform is dedicated to honoring the Black lives that were cut short from COVID-19 by calling for restorative justice in healthcare for vulnerable populations, with special emphasis on the Black community. This organization aims to achieve this goal through community coalition building, education, and policy solutions.
A New Jersey native, Dr. Chery attended Montclair State University for undergrad and obtained her master’s degree (MBS) and a medical degree from Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine (previously named UMDNJ – School of Osteopathic Medicine). During medical school, she was elected to the Gold Humanism Honor Society for her exemplary service, integrity, clinical excellence, and compassion. At graduation, in recognition of her substantial contributions to the community, Dr. Chery was presented with the prestigious Dean’s Recognition Award. Dr. Chery then went on to complete an internal medicine residency program at the University of Connecticut (UCONN) with a concentration in primary care in 2017. Not only did she serve as her Residency class graduation speaker, but she was also awarded the Richard A. Garibaldi Humanitarian Award.
Dr. Chery is a global transformational speaker, and physician activist who helps vulnerable populations serve, empower, and heal.