Through her years of leadership in the healthcare field, Julia P. Joseph-Di Caprio has learned the importance of diversity in leadership roles – by sex, race, and class. She stresses that entire health systems are strongest when guided by diverse voices; she even worries when everyone agrees. A system guided by “group think” will only serve those with common backgrounds, experiences, and needs; decisions made with input from diverse voices will strengthen health systems.

Joseph-Di Caprio has studied the approach and style of other leaders, especially those who question the things that limit women and racial minorities from leading. She wants to address the, “…social threats that create obstacles for them to ever attain leadership positions, to ever even consider becoming leaders.”

Perhaps the most telling metric of her leadership success is an envelope addressed to “Dr. Julia.” Her many certificates, publications, and plaques are impressive, of course, but the letter of thanks from a young person she cared for. Joseph-Di Caprio continues to work on her own leadership style, while investing in the paths of future leaders.

“We must create systems where people, all sorts of people, can be whoever they want to be—whoever they can be—that is what real success looks like.”

Dr. Julia’s extensive professional career in the Twin Cities community includes 22 years at Hennepin County Medical Center (now Hennepin Healthcare System) where she began as a Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine Specialist and advanced to several physician leadership roles, including Chief of Pediatrics. Dr. Julia also has been a Medical Director for Medica, Senior Medical Director of Care Management for HealthEast, and Fairview Health Services Medical Leader, Connected Care. She is the founder of  ​Leap Pediatric and Adolescent Care​, which opened in the Midway area of St. Paul in October 2022.

Read more about Dr. Julia’s work and leadership experience in this Healthy Generations article.