Elizabeth Arend Dutta joined the Primary Care Coalition (PCC) in 2017 and has made a significant impact during the past seven years, first as Director of Provider Services and most recently as the Director of Behavioral Health Program Design and Strategy for PCC.
PCC’s annual Storytelling Show was Dutta’s brainchild; she helped facilitate the production of the first show in 2019. She even shared her own story on stage that year. The Storytelling Show has become a much-anticipated annual fundraising event that supports healthcare for the community’s neediest residents through a series of personal stories—each told in a heartwarming, funny, and inspirational way. The next Storytelling Show is on November 7th.
Born in New Jersey and raised outside of Boston, Massachusetts, Dutta has traveled extensively. After earning her master’s in public health, she worked in Ethiopia, South Africa, and Rwanda, before settling in Washington, DC. She now resides in DC’s Eastern Market neighborhood with her husband, Arin.
When asked what she liked best about working at PCC, Dutta said, “Being surrounded by mission-driven, passionate people who deeply care about the work is a joy. My supervisors over the years, the people I’ve supervised, senior leadership, they have all been so supportive. We care about each other as people. PCC is one of the most – if not the most – fulfilling jobs I’ve ever had--and I’ve had many!”
As for her motivation and drive, Dutta admits that she started work at PCC in a political environment frightening to many of the people the organization serves. “My work reflects my values, and it was very motivating for me to know that I could go to work every day and make access to healthcare easier for the people who needed it,” said Dutta.
“Also, for the last three years, my work has focused on behavioral health. Having experienced my own behavioral health crisis, I’ve got skin in this game. It motivates me to work to improve the Montgomery County behavioral health crisis response system because I see myself in that work. It’s very personal.”
Dutta graduated with her doctorate in health policy on August 31, so she hasn’t had much leisure time in recent years. But she does enjoy time with her newly adopted dog, Maggie, featured in the July issue of Pulse. She also loves any British TV show, including The Crown, Downton Abbey, and The Great British Baking Show.
Many people don’t know that Elizabeth Dutta is a talented singer who took voice classes throughout high school and college. Her performance on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage with her college chamber choir was a highlight. As her leisure time expands, Dutta may seek additional opportunities to perform.
Unfortunately for PCC, Dutta is taking on a new role at George Washington University. Although it was a bittersweet decision, Dutta accepted a position as a research scientist for the Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health, starting October 1. She also teaches health policy to undergraduate public health majors at the university. Despite the career move, Elizabeth Dutta plans to stay connected to PCC and the people she holds dear.
PCC’s annual Storytelling Show was Dutta’s brainchild; she helped facilitate the production of the first show in 2019. She even shared her own story on stage that year. The Storytelling Show has become a much-anticipated annual fundraising event that supports healthcare for the community’s neediest residents through a series of personal stories—each told in a heartwarming, funny, and inspirational way. The next Storytelling Show is on November 7th.
Born in New Jersey and raised outside of Boston, Massachusetts, Dutta has traveled extensively. After earning her master’s in public health, she worked in Ethiopia, South Africa, and Rwanda, before settling in Washington, DC. She now resides in DC’s Eastern Market neighborhood with her husband, Arin.
When asked what she liked best about working at PCC, Dutta said, “Being surrounded by mission-driven, passionate people who deeply care about the work is a joy. My supervisors over the years, the people I’ve supervised, senior leadership, they have all been so supportive. We care about each other as people. PCC is one of the most – if not the most – fulfilling jobs I’ve ever had--and I’ve had many!”
As for her motivation and drive, Dutta admits that she started work at PCC in a political environment frightening to many of the people the organization serves. “My work reflects my values, and it was very motivating for me to know that I could go to work every day and make access to healthcare easier for the people who needed it,” said Dutta.
“Also, for the last three years, my work has focused on behavioral health. Having experienced my own behavioral health crisis, I’ve got skin in this game. It motivates me to work to improve the Montgomery County behavioral health crisis response system because I see myself in that work. It’s very personal.”
Dutta graduated with her doctorate in health policy on August 31, so she hasn’t had much leisure time in recent years. But she does enjoy time with her newly adopted dog, Maggie, featured in the July issue of Pulse. She also loves any British TV show, including The Crown, Downton Abbey, and The Great British Baking Show.
Many people don’t know that Elizabeth Dutta is a talented singer who took voice classes throughout high school and college. Her performance on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage with her college chamber choir was a highlight. As her leisure time expands, Dutta may seek additional opportunities to perform.
Unfortunately for PCC, Dutta is taking on a new role at George Washington University. Although it was a bittersweet decision, Dutta accepted a position as a research scientist for the Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health, starting October 1. She also teaches health policy to undergraduate public health majors at the university. Despite the career move, Elizabeth Dutta plans to stay connected to PCC and the people she holds dear.
RSS Feed