Kameron Leigh Matthews facts for kids

Kameron Leigh Matthews is an American doctor who has worked to improve healthcare for many people. She is known for her leadership in healthcare, especially for veterans.

Early Life and Education

Kameron Leigh Matthews was born and grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her dad was a doctor, and he inspired her to want to help people through medicine.

She went to Duke University and studied public policy. This helped her learn how to make big changes and help many people. After Duke, she started medical school at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. However, she also decided to go to law school at the University of Chicago Law School. She gained experience helping people through legal work while studying law.

After finishing both her medical and law degrees, Dr. Matthews completed her special training to become a doctor at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Career Highlights

After her training, Dr. Matthews worked as a doctor at a jail and a center for young people. She also ran a family health clinic. During this time, she worked hard to make sure all patients received good healthcare, including those with special needs.

Later, she returned to the University of Illinois. There, she became a chief medical officer and a medical director. She helped manage healthcare services for many people.

Helping More Students Become Doctors

While in law school, Dr. Matthews helped start a project called the Tour for Diversity in Medicine (T4D). This project aimed to encourage more African American and Latino students to become doctors, dentists, and podiatrists.

In 2012, she restarted the project with a former classmate. They visited many college campuses across 17 states. They met with over 1,800 minority students, sharing their experiences and encouraging them to pursue careers in medicine. Because of her efforts, Dr. Matthews was recognized as a "40 Under 40 Leader" by a national group.

Leadership in Veterans' Healthcare

In 2016, Dr. Matthews began working at the Veterans Health Administration. This organization provides healthcare for people who have served in the military. She became a deputy executive director, helping to connect veterans with care.

From 2018 to 2020, Dr. Matthews was a special fellow with the National Academy of Medicine (NAM). This allowed her to work with top experts and become a future leader in healthcare. In 2020, she was chosen to be the chief medical officer of the Veterans Health Administration. This means she helps lead the healthcare for all veterans in the United States. She was recognized for making big improvements in how veterans receive high-quality care.

Personal Life

Kameron Leigh Matthews is married to Mazi Mutafa.