Rosemond Sarpong Owens, CDM, MPH
Director of Racial and Health Equity Integration, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Minnesota
Rosemond Sarpong Owens is a public health practitioner with a commitment to maternal and child health and a passion for diversity, equity, and social justice. With extensive expertise in advancing racial health equity in Minnesota, she focuses on improving diversity and equity for underserved populations, leveraging her Public Health/Health Equity background to foster a more just and equitable society.
Currently, Rosemond leads the enterprise-wide focus on building racial and health equity at Blue Cross Blue Shield, Minnesota. Her work involves integrating equity into the organization’s mission and business practices to combat systemic racism and health inequities.
Rosemond is a gifted speaker, humorist, and author, known for seeing the silver lining in every cloud. She calls herself a Chief Encouragement Officer (CEO) and believes that her purpose is to encourage and bless others. Rosemond's leadership extends to serving on various boards. She is the Chair of the Hennepin Health Care Community Advisory Board and the Chair of the March of Dimes, Minnesota Market. Her contributions have been recognized both locally and nationally, culminating in receiving the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President Biden in 2022.
She is a graduate of the University of Ghana and the University of Madrid, holding undergraduate degrees in French, Spanish, and Linguistics. She also earned a Master's in Public Health (MPH) from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.