Immigrant Impact Spotlight: Celebrating the People Powering America’s Progress

Medicine: “Healing Without Borders”

Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, born in Sheffield, England to Iraqi parents, immigrated to the United States with her family at the age of four.  They settled in Michigan, where she grew up and later pursued her medical education.  Her journey from immigrant child to nationally recognized physician reflects the transformative role immigrants play in shaping America’s future.

As a pediatrician in Flint, Michigan, Dr. Hanna-Attisha made headlines for exposing one of the most serious public health crises in recent American history.  In 2015, she led a study that revealed elevated lead levels in the blood of Flint’s children after the city switched its water supply.  Despite government officials dismissing her findings and attempting to discredit her, she persisted.  By presenting clear scientific evidence, she proved that Flint’s drinking water was unsafe and that children were being poisoned.

Her testimony and advocacy forced authorities to acknowledge the crisis, ultimately leading to changes in the city’s water system, statewide policy reforms, and a national reckoning over environmental justice.  Dr. Hanna-Attisha also established the Pediatric Public Health Initiative, a program designed to address and mitigate the long-term effects of lead exposure in Flint’s children by expanding healthcare, nutrition, and educational support.

"The truth was not convenient, but it was necessary.”

Her courage not only safeguarded thousands of families in Flint but also shined a light on how marginalized communities across America often face disproportionate health risks.  Today, she continues to train future physicians, advocate for children’s health, and push for policies that ensure safe environments for all.

Dr. Hanna-Attisha’s work reminds us that immigrants are not only part of the American story—they are often the ones holding the nation accountable to its highest ideals of justice, equity, and care.
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Did You Know?

• Immigrants make up about 28% of all physicians and surgeons in the United States.
• They are also overrepresented in critical healthcare roles, including nearly 40% of medical scientists and 24% of direct care workers.
• Without immigrants, America’s healthcare system would face severe shortages, particularly in rural and underserved areas.