Her Story
About Colinda
Colinda Rutherford serves as a Senior Medical Assistant at New York University, where she has dedicated nearly a decade to providing clinical and patient support. In her role, she is responsible for triaging patients, managing prior authorizations and medication confirmations, coordinating team responsibilities, and responding to patient inquiries. Her healthcare career began after immigrating from Guyana in 2010, when she initially worked as a home health aide for two years before completing a medical assistant program with a 3.95 GPA. She subsequently interned in dermatology at Mount Sinai and advanced her career at Planned Parenthood, where she served in progressively responsible roles as a medical assistant, phlebotomist, and was promoted to laboratory coordinator. She later joined NYU as a medical assistant and earned a promotion to Senior Medical Assistant within six months. Driven by a desire to address healthcare disparities and help bridge the gap between chronic disease and effective healthcare delivery, Colinda pursued higher education in public health and healthcare management. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Walden University, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA and receiving the Presidential Medallion, before completing her Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Management, earning a 3.90 GPA. Her academic accomplishments are complemented by numerous professional and academic affiliations, including the American Public Health Association, New Jersey Public Health Association, Golden Key International Honor Society, Alpha Sigma Lambda, National Society of Leadership and Success, Delta Mu Delta International Business Honor Society, Omega Nu Lambda, and the Society for Collegiate Leadership & Achievement. Mentors such as Corey Andrew Powell and her Family and Friends especially her parents, husband, and her two daughters Jerrianne and Jelinda have also played an important role in encouraging her professional growth and reinforcing her commitment to service and excellence. Beyond her clinical and academic accomplishments, Colinda is deeply committed to community service and leadership. She founded and leads her church's women's ministry, which provides care packages to homeless women and college students and organizes toy drives to support children experiencing homelessness. Her dedication to service reflects her broader belief that healthcare and community well-being are interconnected. Looking ahead, Colinda aspires to leverage her clinical experience, public health education, and healthcare management expertise to improve healthcare systems, promote preventative care, advance equitable access, and develop innovative approaches to reducing chronic disease. Her journey reflects persistence, compassion, leadership, and a strong commitment to creating healthier communities.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Colinda
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to perseverance, continuous learning, strong mentorship, and a genuine commitment to making a difference in healthcare. My career progression, from working as a medical assistant and phlebotomist to becoming a laboratory coordinator and ultimately a Senior Medical Assistant at NYU, reflects my willingness to grow, take on new challenges, and pursue opportunities for advancement. I continued investing in myself academically, earning my bachelor’s degree in public health Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA and later completing an MBA with a concentration in Healthcare Management with a 3.90 GPA. My desire to bridge the gap between chronic disease and the healthcare system has remained a driving force behind my professional and educational journey. I am also grateful to God and for the mentors who have encouraged me along the way, including Corey Andrew Powell whose keynote presentation through the National Society of Leadership and Success inspired and motivated me, as well as my mother and husband whose unwavering support has encouraged me to pursue my dreams.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the healthcare industry is to choose a career they genuinely love and are willing to work through challenges to pursue. Healthcare can be demanding, and there will be moments when the journey feels overwhelming, but passion, purpose and prayers can provide the motivation to keep moving forward. Rather than becoming consumed by what the future may bring, I encourage women to take their journey one week at a time, remain focused on their goals, be grateful for every achievement, pray and trust that consistent effort will lead to meaningful progress.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my professional and personal life are service, compassion, community, leadership, and a commitment to helping others. I believe in using my knowledge and experience to make a meaningful difference, which is reflected in my involvement with professional organizations such as the New Jersey Public Health Association and the American Public Health Association. My commitment to service also extends to my church, where I lead the women’s ministry and help organize initiatives that support homeless women, college students, and families in need, including care-package and toy-drive programs. These experiences have reinforced my belief that true leadership is about creating opportunities to uplift others and strengthening the communities we serve.
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