Pooja Bhalla, DNP, RN, serves as Illumination Foundation’s Co-Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Bhalla joined Illumination Foundation in 2017 as Chief Operating Officer and most recently served as Executive Director of Healthcare Services. Under her leadership, Illumination Foundation has become a recognized and innovative leader in healthcare services for those experiencing homelessness.
Over the past five years, Dr. Bhalla has created a highly advanced approach to addressing the healthcare needs of the homeless population and has firmly established Illumination Foundation as a true safety net, not only for housing but for healthcare, including an innovative partnership with the Illumination Foundation Medical Group. Dr. Bhalla has more than 20 years of health administration experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness.
Dr. Bhalla joined Boston Health Care Homeless Program in 1997 and has worked with the homeless population since the beginning of her nursing career. In 2002, Dr. Bhalla, led the efforts in establishing shelter clinics throughout Boston to bring health care to homeless individuals. Today, the program operates over 50+ clinics throughout the city. Throughout her tenure, Dr. Bhalla has focused on bringing innovative practice models of care such as walk-in access for behavioral health visits and access to preventive care measures during patient encounters.
Dr. Bhalla is a graduate of Simmons College of Nursing. She received her Master’s in Leadership, Health Policy and Nursing Administration from Northeastern University, and earned her Doctorate in Nursing Practice at Northeastern University and her research focus is on “Emerging Leaders and Homeless Health Care.” Dr. Bhalla is also a graduate of UCLA’s Johnson & Johnson Health Care Executive Program. Dr. Bhalla is a member of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council.