Urmi Ashar

Dr. Urmi Ashar serves as Director of Public Health Programs at Duquesne University's John G. Rangos Sr. School of Health Sciences, focusing on experiential learning and community engagement. She bridges medicine, business, and education through her expertise in organizational adaptation, systems thinking, and complexity sciences. Her professional background includes roles as a clinical anesthesiologist in India, founder of healthcare ventures, and leadership in healthcare governance and innovation.

Education: MBBS & MD (Seth G.S. Medical College, Mumbai, 1989-1994), MBA (University of Colorado, 2005), and certifications in entrepreneurship and organizational dynamics. She has taught at Carnegie Mellon University and contributed to research in developmental cognitive neuroscience.

Research interests emphasize solving healthcare challenges via systems thinking and complexity sciences, alongside strategies for organizational governance and board leadership. Her publications address intangible asset management and diverse board dynamics. Awards include the NACD Board Leadership Fellows award (2011).

She advises boards, executes strategic cultural changes, and leads initiatives in healthcare innovation. Current roles include board memberships at The Children's Institute of Pittsburgh and The Cornerstone Residence, and advisory roles in healthcare organizations.