Bansari Mehta » 2019 Awards

Biographical Info

Basari Mehta, right, 2019 awardee. Presented by Alejandra Muller, president of the UN Association of OKC.

Award ceremony introduction as made by Bill Bryant of United Nations Association of OKC:

Bansari Mehta

“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”

That’s Article 1.

If you believe in the values of the Universal Declaration, then you want to inspire and empower other people to achieve and excel. That’s what our next award winner does.

Bansari Mehta is a member of our OKC chapter of the United Nations Association. She serves on our board of directors and also volunteers for several other local organizations. She has served as a Youth Mentor for the United Nations Youth Assembly at UN headquarters, and she regularly lobbies in Washington DC for Shot@Life — the UN Foundation’s campaign to promote children’s health.

Originally from Mumbai, India, Bansari is a healthcare executive with experience in highly skilled and competitive research. She has held administrative and clinical positions with national and international health organizations.

Bansari believes in empowering others. She loves helping low income, first generation students to prepare for jobs in the real world — a cause for which she identifies as being an immigrant with similar issues.

Nomination entry:

Biographical information:
Originally from Mumbai, India, Bansari Mehta is a multifaceted healthcare executive with experience in highly skilled and competitive research, administrative and clinical positions with national and international health organizations. A respiratory therapist, she came to the US to acquire her Masters in Health Administration and Policy from OU where she was the Outstanding Multicultural Student awardee.

Bansari works as a Medical Practice Administrator for Retina Vitreous Center, managing four physicians, six locations and a staff of 35 where she is constantly setting and achieving goals for superior patient care, increased profitability and staff stability. Bansari has taught leadership courses at national meetings for American Academy of Ophthalmic Executives on best practice methods and is their West South Central Lead. She is one of four fellows selected for nationally acclaimed AAOE Ophthalmic Practice Administrator Leadership Program.

Bansari serves on board of United Nations Association, Suited for Success and OU MHA Alumni Advisory. Bansari has served as Youth Mentor for the United Nations Youth Assembly at UN headquarters and regularly lobbies in Washington DC for Shot@Life. She loves mentoring low income, first generation, minority students preparing for jobs in real world- a cause for which she identifies as being an immigrant with similar issues. She is a United Nations USA Emerging Leaders Fellow and New Leaders Council Fellow. Bansari is a class 15 L.O.Y.A.L Candidate.
For her contributions, Ms. Mehta has been awarded Oklahoma’s 30 under 30 award by NextGen. She also received The Business Times Top 20 under 40 award and furthermore the Oklahoma’s 40 under 40 award by The Gazette (2017) and also by The Journal Record (2018). She is the Journal Record “Woman of the Year 2018” awardee. She is the Oklahoma City Young Professional 2019 Horizon Award Winner and was voted 2019 Oklahoma City’s Most Powerful Young Professional. Bansari has received a formal citation for professional achievements and community service from the State and Governor of Oklahoma.

Bansari speaks seven languages and is active with Toastmasters International. She is well known in the community for her avocations of adventure sports, archaeology, astronomy and air flight.

How does the nominee support human rights in Oklahoma?

Bansari Mehta is a trailblazing, well-rounded immigrant that attacks every opportunity this country has to offer with fervor. If an opportunity doesn’t present itself, she makes one. She is relentless in the pursuit of knowledge, and she uses that knowledge to touch and enrich the lives of others, particularly those who are vulnerable or less able to help themselves. She has devoted herself to selfless voluntary service through various local organizations. She is a strong figure in the immigration community and is wholeheartedly known to help immigrants and citizens in need while raising her voice against the injustices that plague the world today. She serves others in the community with the same passion and professionalism she is known for displaying while serving on various non-profits boards.

Bansari has never had a lackadaisical attitude about Human Rights and is constantly contributing physically and financially at grassroots, national and international levels to help stand up for her fellow humans. She believes a lot more needs to be done in the state of Oklahoma but we all must start somewhere and she is highly respected by her peers for her stance on human rights issues.

Bansari serves on board of United Nations Association, Suited for Success and OU MHA Alumni Advisory. Bansari has served as Youth Mentor for the United Nations Youth Assembly at UN headquarters and regularly lobbies in Washington DC for Shot@Life. She loves mentoring low income, first generation, minority students preparing for jobs in real world- a cause for which she identifies as being an immigrant with similar issues. She is a United Nations USA Emerging Leaders Fellow and New Leaders Council Fellow. Bansari is a class 15 L.O.Y.A.L Candidate.

Bansari has a presence not just statewide but also nationally. She is the regional lead for four states for the American Academy of Healthcare Executives (AAOE) and has presented various workshops as a senior instructor at the national conference on best practices in healthcare.

A respiratory therapist, Bansari Mehta came to the United States of America to acquire her Masters in Health Administration and Policy from the University of Oklahoma. After graduating from the OUHSC MHA program as the OUHSC outstanding multicultural student awardee, Bansari Mehta has pushed herself to become the best in her field as a Medical Practice Administrator for Retina Vitreous Center (RVC) managing 4 surgeons, 6 locations, 32 staff and 250 patients/day; she has earned the respect of not only her peers and her employers but has become a role model in her field and work ethic for everyone who has had the opportunity to work with her. She has time and again demonstrated innovation and creativity in delivering efficiency and productivity for her employers and she has motivated others around her to do the same.

Bansari is constantly setting and achieving goals of top notch patient care, increased profitability, and staff stability. I am certain her biggest professional achievement has been able to connect, train and impact her employees who inspire her to be a better leader in this mutually beneficial relationship—just like a true leader.

Bansari has been conferred various awards and recognition for her contribution to our society. Just to name a few, she has made the 30 under 30 list, 40 under 40 list, Top 20 Business, OKC Young Professionals Horizon award, Woman of the year award and holds a citation for her contribution to the state of Oklahoma and her contribution to healthcare.
It’s not just about the past and the present but Bansari has a vision for her future and the world: Fifteen years down the line she sees herself working with the WHO, UNICEF and Doctors without Borders eradicating healthcare issues that plague this world. Every big dream must start with a small step.

I believe the nomination asks for criteria to be met and, very modestly, I feel the need to emphasize that Bansari not only fits all the criteria but brings more than that to the table. She is someone who is a part of the ethical workforce and an active and contributing member of this dynamic society and country standing up for Human Rights in times of need. She is a well-rounded and an experienced individual; a rare feat to achieve at her age and circumstances. This, in my humble opinion, makes her an exceptional candidate for this award.

People don’t watch NEWS nowadays because they say it’s all things grisly. I know for a fact that Bansari believes if we don’t take charge of the current situation and if everyone starts thinking in the same way, we will not be very proud of what we create. It is in everyone’s capacity to contribute a little, if not much, to this society and it begins with hard work, tapping and channelizing the vastness inside you, harnessing the ability to ask questions and stand up for what you think is right Vs. wrong. According to her, we all have the power.