Meet Dahlia

My passion for medicine began during childhood with the death of my younger sister resulting from a congenital heart defect in Jamaica, West Indies. Thus, I was destined to become a doctor and save lives. I was motivated, dedicated and passionate. I arrived in the US with my mother and siblings, and looking forward to the soon arrival of my father. There were many challenges and obstacles but no delays or detours in achieving my goals as a result of a strong foundation and the extraordinary network of family, friends, professors and teachers.

I graduated St. Vincent Academy in 1988 with a strong commitment to service and academic excellence. I continued my academic pursuits graduating from Rutgers University’s Cook College, BS Biology, 1992; and UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Doctor of Medicine, 1996 - while volunteering in community clinics and hospitals; mentoring students; and working as a teaching assistant during the summers.

After graduating from medical school, my post-graduate training included a general surgery internship that transitioned into an internal medicine internship, residency, pulmonary and critical care fellowship at UMDNJ-University Hospital, Newark, NJ. This also included sleep medicine training at Hackensack University Medical Center. I achieved board certifications in internal medicine, pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine.

Dahlia receiving the Leadership Award from the University of Miami Herbert School of Business in recognition of her dedication and leadership qualities.

My notable career experiences include Assistant Professor of Medicine at Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC; Medical Director of Select Specialty Hospital, Durham, NC; and an intensivist at Memorial Healthcare System-Memorial Hospital West, Pembroke Pines, FL.

I have academic appointments including FAU, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine and Teaching Attending for Memorial Healthcare System Internal Medicine Residency Program with ongoing voluntary community outreach programs.

As an intensivist serving on the frontlines during the pandemic and educating the community on COVID, I successfully completed an Executive MBA in Health Management and Policy at the University of Miami Herbert School of Business. I was recognized for my dedication and leadership qualities with the Leadership Award for leading the EMBA Class of December 2021.

I continue to teach and mentor medical residents training the future doctors of tomorrow while delivering high-impact presentations. One of my long-term goals is to use the pandemic experience embracing medical innovation and Executive MBA to improve access to affordable, equitable, quality and safe care while fostering strategic alliances and partnerships to advance global health and well-being initiatives.

Resiliency, confidence, perseverance, transformation and gratitude are more than just mere words; they are the foundation on which my hopes and dreams are achieved with God’s Grace.

A note from Sister June – “Years ago, Dahlia was an internal medicine resident doctor at UMDNJ. Sister Margaret and I were working at school. All of a sudden, Sister Margaret was presented with a medical condition. She was rushed into the emergency room at UMDNJ. To our great surprise, Dahlia was on call. She made an announcement to the staff – ‘This is my principal from Saint Vincent’s. She is to get our best care.’ Dahlia herself took charge and stayed with Sister Margaret through both the testing and treatment. Needless to say, we were relieved to be in the hands of someone we knew, and very proud of Dahlia as an alumna of Saint Vincent’s.”

Dahlia Ann Blake, MD, MBA, FCCP “It was an honor to care for Sister Margaret and to give back to my SVA family.”

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