Fatima Ogaily ’09: Health Care Executive Advocating for Mental Health

“Incomparable,” is how Fatima Ogaily ’09 describes the relationships and preparation she received as a Greenhills student.

“You just don’t find that anywhere. The care from the faculty, who are always so willing to help you find answers, not just in their classrooms but in life, stays with you forever.”

Ogaily thrived in choir (“thanks to Mr. Cohen”) and credits Cathy Renaud with building up her work ethic and pushing her to succeed. “She always believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.”

When Ogaily headed off to the University of Michigan and walked into a lecture hall of 500 fellow students, it made her appreciate even more the size and close connections of the school that holds a special place in her heart.

Originally, she was on the undergraduate pre-med or pre-dental track, but after passing out during a root canal procedure, she listened to her body and her father, who suggested she look into administration roles. She went on to complete her MPH and MBA and began to shadow professionals in the field.

Today, Ogaily serves as the Vice President of Operations at the Detroit Medical Center, the youngest person on the leadership team “by a lot.” Every day is “100 competing fires, and I really love that.”

She says the secret to her management success is to always remember that we’re all human and not machines, not to talk down to people, and that family always comes first. “It’s a partnership ultimately—I’ve learned from the good and bad managers I’ve had in my career and developed my own mentorship style.”

As much as she’s achieved professionally, Ogaily cites the recent release of her very personal book on mental health, The Wounds We Heal, as her most important accomplishment. Written over the course of three years, it recounts her own mental blocks and family history, with the goal to help others feel less alone and to experience less stigma as they navigate their own mental health struggles.

“Speaking up about depression is unfortunately still taboo for many folks today, and if I can help even one person I’ve done my job,” she said. “People don’t know how to react, but there’s no right thing to say, you just need to be present and warmly supportive.”

Among her mental health strategies for herself and others are to find hobbies that you used to love growing up. “For me it was always singing, piano, and writing. Remember that you’re still that same person; it doesn’t matter if you excel at them or not. Find that time, even if it’s just several minutes after dinner, to tune into yourself and what you love to do.”