Bernice Tiwaah Amankwah, a member of the Health Administration Class of 2025 at Rutgers University, has focused her academic and extracurricular efforts on addressing healthcare inequities through policy and research. Originally from Kumasi, Ghana, Amankwah’s early experiences in her home country shaped her commitment to improving healthcare access.
“I personally witnessed the challenges many people faced in accessing healthcare due to limited resources and personnel,” she said. “I aspired to work in healthcare, initially dreaming of becoming a doctor because I wasn’t aware of other medical professions at the time.”
After moving to the United States at age 14, Amankwah encountered new obstacles related to bias and inequity within the healthcare system. A positive encounter with a physician assistant influenced her career aspirations.
During high school, Amankwah developed an interest in business through a specialized academy. She later earned an associate’s degree in Business Administration with a focus on healthcare from Ocean County College. “That degree combined two of my interests: health and business,” she said. “I began to understand the systemic issues contributing to health disparities both in the U.S. and back home in Ghana.”
Amankwah’s advisor introduced her to the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University, where she continued her studies seamlessly. “The support I received made the move feel smooth and welcoming,” she said.
At Rutgers, Amankwah became involved as an intern with the New Jersey State Policy Lab and as a research fellow for the Ralph W. Voorhees Fellowship Program in Public Service at the Ralph W. Voorhees Center for Civic Engagement. Her research has addressed person-centered care, maternal health disparities, and how policy affects community well-being.
“These experiences solidified my passion for policy research and shaped my academic focus on the social determinants of health,” she said.
She also highlighted practical coursework benefits: “The Data Management in Healthcare course greatly enhanced my Excel skills, which I now consider essential,” she said. These skills have been further applied during her internship with the United Nations’ International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
After graduation, Amankwah plans to take a gap year for patient care experience before applying to physician assistant programs—Rutgers is among her top choices—and intends eventually to pursue a doctorate degree focused on policy research.
Her advice for prospective students interested in health administration at Bloustein is direct: “Take advantage of every opportunity the school offers and don’t hesitate to ask for help. There are so many people willing and ready to support you. Also, stay on top of your email! Bloustein newsletters are filled with valuable information—it only takes a minute to scan through.”
