Health Solutions alumnus honored as Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives

When Towfik Elmi met with his community college counselor at San Diego City College, he knew he wanted to attend university. What the counselor told him changed his perspective on his career goals.

“‘[Attending university] is very impossible, given your academic performance. Where you’re at at the moment, it’s extremely impossible to go to university.’ That’s exactly what he told me,” Elmi explained. “That’s basically the worst advice I could have ever gotten, but I felt empowered that I could prove him wrong.”

Looking back at this time in Elmi’s early life, it goes without saying that he has succeeded.

Elmi arrived in the United States as a refugee in 1998 through sponsorship from his uncle and from a young age expressed a passion for pursuing education. While enrolled in community college, a professor of business law explained that two kinds of people are more likely to be deceived or exploited by corporations: the uneducated and the less fortunate.

His interest in helping underserved communities took shape as he worked on the dissertation he wrote in fulfillment of his Doctorate of Behavioral Health (Management), which was awarded by the College of Health Solutions in 2023.

“I'm very proud of completing my Doctorate of Behavioral Health from the College of Health Solutions. That was something that I highly value. That was the turning point for my career, especially moving up the ladder in the health care field, as well as getting the confidence to lead a major organization or community,” Elmi expressed.

His research focused on empowering the East African community in Minnesota to understand bodily and mental health as one entity by organizing community health centers with a team of providers, including primary care physicians, social workers and mental health professionals.

Members of the community Elmi worked with were unlikely to seek health care or mental health support due to superstitions that mental health issues were tied to possession by supernatural powers. The partnership he established between communities and health care providers allowed information to be translated into context that was easily understandable by the community. This allowed the team to work toward undoing the existing cultural stigma around mental health.

Ronald O’Donnell, a clinical professor at the College of Health Solutions, praised the project as a “great contribution to the field.”

In his current role as a Legislative Policy Lead and Relationship Manager for the Behavioral Health Division of the Minnesota Department of Human Services, he feels he can truly make a difference in the lives of patients who do not have an advocate.

“Because you feel like you’re doing something important, something valuable, it gives you a sense of fulfillment because it’s more than what money can buy. You’re always there to see how the system works, how you can improve,” said Elmi.

Elmi gives marginalized community members a seat at the table, building greater awareness and understanding of what’s affecting them and allowing them to establish a relationship with their legislators to express their concerns.

“It’s better to be proactive, to be engaged, to build a coalition with the community,” Elmi expressed.

Elmi’s most recent accomplishment allows him to further his impact as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, one of the highest credentials one can receive in health care. This fellowship requires membership with ACHE, holding a health care executive management position and 40 credit hours of continued education. 

Additionally, fellows must complete a six-hour Board of Governors exam, which took Elmi six months to prepare for. He was honored at a convocation ceremony much like ASU’s graduation ceremonies. The most important recognition he received, however, came in the form of his own pride.

“I don’t seek recognition from outside. I seek recognition from within myself. That’s how I believe in myself,” Elmi said. “No matter what, I’m going to continue to follow myself. I’m going to continue to help others.”

Now a nationally recognized industry professional, Elmi works to help legislators understand the needs of the community as well as help the community understand the issues and challenges they face.

“I really want Minnesota to be a role model for the rest of the nation. It’s considered one of the most generous states for what they offer and give,” Elmi explained. “It’s easy to get care. It’s really a great state.”

Looking ahead, Elmi describes the healthcare system as “fragmented” but is prepared to serve an instrumental role in managing his organization’s relationship with the community.

“We are entering a very uncertain future with the election that happened, and it’s going to be very tough to deal with the political moments of all of that, so there may be some challenges,” Elmi explained. “The priority we have is just to make sure that we are within our capacity to serve.”