Health Equity

Combating health disparities and promoting equity.

BASED AT THE FITZHUGH MULLAN INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH WORKFORCE EQUITY

MARY AJWANG

Program officer, UNAIDS Kampala, Uganda

CARLA A. ARENA VENTURA

Full professor, University of São Paulo Riberão Preto, Brazil

SARAH BATTISTICH

Associate professor of emergency medicine, Bellevue New York University Medical Center New York City, U.S.

JOEDRECKA S. BROWN SPEIGHTS

Associate professor and chair of family medicine, College of Medicine, Florida State University Tallahasse, U.S.

Engaging in advocacy, technical assistance, and program coordination to improve public health in Uganda. Teaching and researching interdisciplinary and international global themes on global health and human rights, the right to health and mental health, and the social determinants of health. Supporting survivors of torture and refugees, advocating and researching the medical and mental health effects of immigration, and looking for new collaborations and vistas. Leading in family medicine and rural health to promote health equity for underrepresented communities and champion well-being globally via partnership, engagement, primary care, research and education.

BRIGIT M. CARTER

Associate dean for diversity and inclusion, School of Nursing, Duke University Hillsborough, U.S.

KENNETH T. JONES

Supervisory program analyst; data lead, Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Heath Equity Washington, D.C., U.S.

THOMAS MERRILL

Data architect, Derick Dermatology Portland, U.S.

SCOTT NASS

Complex care physician, MedZed; program director, Eisenhower Family Medicine, Eisenhower Health Santa Rosa, U.S.

Leading efforts that increase understanding and dismantle the historical and current system structures that are barriers to higher education and inclusive practices within those institutions. Advising on quantitative data and other measures to better understand and address health equity issues for veterans. Developing data and information flows for operational improvement and the measuring and monitoring for health system quality improvement. Partnering through telehealth with individuals living medically and socially complex lives to help them navigate the challenges of their health and the health care system.

TOYESE OYEYEMI

Executive director, Beyond Flexner Alliance; Faculty, University of New Mexico Bethesda, U.S.

Leading strategies and community to advance social mission across the training programs and institutions educating and deploying the U.S. health workforce.

MARIA PORTELA MARTINEZ

Chief of the Family Medicine Section, George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates; medical director, George Washington Immediate Primary Care Clinics Washington, D.C., U.S.

CAROLINE MAE RAMIREZ

Candidate, MMSc Global Health Delivery; student, Harvard Medical School Taguig City, Philippines

NEHA RAYKAR

Associate director, IDinsight New Delhi, India

Leading efforts to re-envision primary care training focused on transforming health care delivery systems aimed at improving access, quality of care, and cost effectiveness for vulnerable populations. Enhancing mental health service delivery by providing equitable policies grounded in human rights. Leading research and monitoring and evaluation of maternal and child health interventions in India to assess whether rural public health interventions are delivered effectively and equitably.

ZULAYKA SANTIAGO

Founder and creative director, Libélula Consulting Durham, U.S.

Providing inspiration, instigation, and support for projects, organizations, and foundations focused on equity, social justice, and authentic community engagement.

SARA SELIG

Associate physician, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; associate physician, instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, Boston, U.S.

Supporting Indigenous communities and city, county and state COVID-19 responses with Partners In Health to implement equitable pandemic responses as well as stronger public health systems.

YVONNE YIU

Health systems specialist, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Irvine, U.S.

Providing subject matter expertise to support clinical growth among Veteran Affairs hospitals in California, Arizona and New Mexico.

AMANDA BROSNAN

Physician assistant, Tarrant County Public Health Euless, U.S.

Practicing health care in a local public health department, working primarily in infectious disease management. Serving patients and the community, advocating for health equity for all.

LESFORD H. DUNCAN

Senior director of programs, Outdoor Outreach San Diego, U.S.

Introducing at-risk, underrepresented, and system-involved youth to the transformative and healing power of the outdoors.

ANGELA T. ECHIVERRI

Family physician and Family Medicine Residency Faculty, Contra Costa Health Services/ Contra Costa Family Medicine Residency Program San Francisco, U.S.

Bringing a radical love, tender heart and strident values to reimagine and cultivate spaces of belonging where we can collectively heal, dismantle racism and oppression, and manifest equity and justice.

SARAH M. HOOPER

Adjunct professor of law, UC Hastings; policy director, MedicalLegal Partnership for Seniors, UC Hastings San Francisco, U.S.

Developing medical-legal collaborations in education, research, and clinical service that advance equity in the care of older adults.

JAMES HUANG

Medical director of family medicine, Unity Health Care Washington, D.C., U.S.

Providing patient-centered primary care to multicultural, urban underserved patients, including Deaf adults and children. Implementing “food as medicine” programs.

V. KAI KENNEDY

Vice chair of Equity, and associate professor, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of California, San Francisco Oakland, U.S.

Challenging the status quo of health care, developing curricula for equity-focused health professions, and pursuing healthier societies.

JONATAN KONFINO

Secretary of Health, Municipality of Quilmes; professor of public health,Universidad Nacional Arturo Jauretche (UNAJ); professional lecturer, George Washington University Buenos Aires, Argentina

Living to pursue health equity and social justice in Argentina. Working every day to contribute toward guaranteeing health as a human right.

DEBORRAH G. LIAO

Municipal health officer, Rural Health Unit, Gamay Gamay, Philippines

Leading the primary health care program that will ensure provision of quality, accessible, affordable and equitable health care to rural communities in the Philippines.

JORDI EQUITABLE

Multidisciplinary artist Baltimore, U.S.

Curating fashion art to expand society’s understanding on gender diversity, and leading health equity initiatives in government programs.

EMILY MACDONALD

Director, Business Operations, Erie Family Health Centers Chicago, U.S.

CHRISTINA T. ROSENTHAL

Founder, The 516 Foundation; owner and chief executive officer, Paradigm Dental Center Collierville, U.S.

Strengthening clinical operations to optimize health outcomes and workforce development at a federally qualified health center that provides care in underresourced communities in Chicago. Practicing general dentistry, directing a youth non-profit organization to develop a generation of health care leaders to care for underresourced communities, and writing children’s books to inspire.

ZEINA SALIBA

Psychiatrist and family physician, inpatient medical director for Psychiatric and Behavioural Health Services, George Washington University Hospital Washington, D.C., U.S.

Improving health care access and quality across multiple domains by overseeing consultation and inpatient psychiatric services. Working to decrease stigma in mental health and caring for marginalized populations.

STEPHEN SEVALIE

Commanding officer, Joint Medical Unit, Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces Freetown, Sierra Leone

ANJALI SINGH KULKARNI

Public health specialist and adjunct associate professor, Indian Institute of Public Health Delhi, Public Health Foundation of India New Delhi, India

TYLER SPENCER

Founder and executive director, Athletes United for Social Justice/ The Grassroot Project Mexico City, Mexico

Leading medical services for the Sierra Leone army and COVID-19 clincial services. Working with keen interest in reproductive and child health, adolescent health, health communications, health equity and advocacy/policy. Developing a strategy for reforming school-based health and physical activity in American schools.

ADEKEMI KIKELOMO ADENIYAN

Founder and executive director, Dentalcare Foundation Ado Ekiti, Nigeria

ALAQ AL-MUWALI

M.Sc. student, King’s College London; resident doctor, Al-Kadhimiya Teaching Hospital, Baghdad London, United Kingdom

ADRIAN N. BILLINGS

Chief medical officer, Preventative Care Health Services; associate professor, Preventative Care Health Services Alpine, U.S.

ESPERANZA FELICIDAD CANTÚ

Director of Health Initiatives, United Way for Southeastern Michigan Detroit, U.S.

Leading oral health advocacy and breaking down barriers to oral health for underserved communities to ensure equitable access for all in Nigeria. Working toward health systems strengthening and inclusivity in Iraq and the MENA region. Currently a student of global health with global surgery with a focus on quality improvement projects, at King’s College London. Researching health workforce programs to enable more health career students to choose a career caring for patients who otherwise might not receive health care. Partnering across community and health to develop a network and infrastructure to share data, collaborate on care management, and build a proactive and equitable care system that meets people’s needs.

ESNATT GONDWE-MATEKESA

Malawi program manager, Give Directly Zomba, Malawi

RAZEL NIKKA M. HAO

Director for Policy and Planning, Disease Prevention and Control Bureau, Department of Health, Philippines Quezon City, Philippines

ARTANESHA L. JACKSON

FINDconnect program manager, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland Oakland, U.S.

ANNE LAUX

Peace officer training compliance officer, Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission, Office of the Ohio Attorney General Brecksville, U.S.

Leading in the field of social cash transfer to combat social inequities as the Malawi program manager for Give Directly, an organization that focuses on social cash transfers. Leading policy and planning for COVID-19 and vaccination program policies, and health systems integration standards for disease prevention and control for universal health care. Improving access to resources addressing social determinants of health to eliminate health disparities among adolescents with complex trauma in Oakland, California. Researching the availability and accessibility of mental health wellness services for law enforcement officers in Ohio, and developing a resource guide for creating and funding wellness bureaus.

JESSICA MILBERG-HAYDU

Director of National Office Emergency Preparedness, Planned Parenthood Federation of Americas Los Angeles, U.S.

SHUBHA NAGESH

Director, Community Follow Up and Research Programs, Latika Roy Foundation Dehradun, India

IFEANYI McWILLIAMS NSOFOR

Chief executive officer, EpiAFRIC Abuja, Nigeria

MONALISA PADHEE

Program head, Women Wellness Initiative, Barefoot College Harmara, India

Planning and relationshipbuilding at the intersection of public health and emergency management to nurture more equitable, prepared and resilient organizations and communities. Leading community followup and research programs in Dehradun, India; and bringing intervention services into the community for families whose children are born with disabilities. Developing policies and strategies, researching, writing opinion pieces, advocating for universal health care, decolonizing global health, mentoring and connecting social issues to health care. Enabling grassroots leaders to disseminate health information and services by creating inclusive and interactive tools, alongside implementing community co-designed and co-led health initiatives.

BRANDI M. PAYTON

Clinic administrator, Cherokee Nation Cooweescoowee Health Center Owasso, U.S.

Leading efforts to re-envision primary care training that focuses on the integration of behavioral health into primary care.

LINDSEY POLLACZEK

Vice president of Programs, Fistula Foundation El Cerrito, U.S.

HOPE ELIZABETH RHODES

Interim medical director, Children’s Health Center-THEARC, Children’s National Hospital; associate professor, George Washington University Laurel, U.S.

Leading comprehensive programming and teams to improve capacity for obstetric fistula treatment and eradication, in collaboration with partners in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia. Developing pediatric community-based initiatives in concert with community partners. Fundraising and grant writing. Leveraging voices of teens and young adults to inform health care.

ELIZA SQUIBB

Lecturer, Masachussetts Institute of Technology; co-founder and art director, Ztwist Design LLC Providence, U.S.

Collaborating with artists and artisans worldwide to create culturally-contextualized patient education tools to improve information equity and health literacy among lowresource populations.

ELLIOT KORANTENG TANNOR

Senior lecturer; consultant nephrologist, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Kumasi, Ghana

Promoting kidney health in Ghana and beyond, leading Kidney Health International, researching into kidney disease and championing health equity in the management of kidney diseases globally.

BILAL ASIM

Assistant director, Planning and Business Development, Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore Lahore, Pakistan

MONIQUE E. BROWN

Program manager, Healthy Neighborhoods Project, Tulane University School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine New Orleans, U.S.

SHUBHAM CHOUDHARY

Founder and chief executive officer, Safe Access Project, Qequal Foundation New Delhi, India

Working with the corporate partners of Fatima Memorial Hospital to increase revenue to extend free or subsidized quality care to those most affected by high health care expenditures. Co-creating a sustainability plan with an underserved community to address vacant or abandoned properties, mitigate gentrification and displacement, and increase placemaking in New Orleans, Louisiana. Building an ecosystem to advance equitable health care for the LGBTQ community in India through education, advocacy and community organizing.

DANIELLE WOODHOUSE JOHNSON

Founder, The Oasis Alliance Lakeridge, U.S.

ABRAHAM L. B. FREEMAN

Environmental officer, Liberia Electricity Corporation; founder, Environmental Rescue Initiative Monrovia, Liberia

PETER GAN KIM SOON

Epidemiology and Medical Officer of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

HYELADZIRA D. GARNVWA

Senior health financing officer, National Primary Health Care Development Agency Abuja, Nigeria

Improving the lives of trauma survivors by co-creating personal spaces that promote mental health and well-being. Engaging underserved communities to recognize environmental determinants of health and health equity. Adopting innovations that lead to improvements in plastic waste management in Liberia. Bridging health care, research, and policy with public health by disrupting the system responsibly for a sustainable and equitable future. Providing essential primary care to vulnerable populations. Promoting quality and equitable access, and delivery of primary health care through developing strategic actions and using evidence to shape national policy.

KEVIN HECKMAN

Director, Product Development, American Medical Association Geneva, U.S.

LIAM C. HEIN

Associate professor, College of Nursing, University of South Carolina Columbia, U.S.

GABRIELLE JACKSON

Co-director, UndocuBlack Network National Harbor, U.S.

GILBERTO LOPEZ

Assistant professor, Arizona State University Phoenix, U.S.

Identifying and disseminating innovative approaches to U.S. medical schools, including new approaches to recruitment, admissions and retention to build a more representative physician workforce. Working toward social justice and health equity for LGBTQ individuals and the community through education, research and health policy. Increasing accessibility to mental health support through the creation of community spaces and recruitment, training, and development of Black immigrants to be community wellness facilitators. Researching and developing interventions to reduce health inequities.

MEDHA D. MAKHLOUF

Assistant professor of law, Penn State Dickinson Law; director of the Medical-Legal Partnership Clinic, Penn State University Carlisle, U.S.

MAUREEN MILANGA

Director, International Policy and Advocacy, Health Global Access Project (GAP) Nairobi, Kenya

BERTRAND MOSES

National coordinator of Child Affairs, Office of the Prime Minister of Republic of Trinidad and Tobago; founder, Balance 365 Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

SYED MUSTAFA H. NADIR

Founder and chief executive officer, Creative Frontiers; founder and director, Frontiers Animation Nairobi, Kenya

Researching legal and policy issues at the intersection of U.S. health law and immigration law. Advocating for equitable access to health care. Preparing law students to work for health justice. Advocating for increased access to high-quality HIV treatment, policies and science in collaboration with communities of people living with HIV and key populations. Developing national child/ youth-related policies, programs, strategies, and communication campaigns to promote protection, well-being, and holistic development. Promoting mental health/gender equity. Leading a behavior changefocused creative company that reaches underserved communities with effective health messaging that is entertaining, culturally relevant and informative.

ROSE MARY NAKAME

Executive director, REMI East Africa Kampala, Uganda

MILDRED OMINO

Administrator, University of Nairobi Nairobi, Kenya

NKEMAKOLEM OSIAN

Public health analyst, Health Resources and Services Administration (U.S.); board member, The White Dress Project Rockville, U.S.

ELENA RIVERA

Senior health policy and program adviser, Children’s Institute Portland, U.S.

Utilizing diverse tailored approaches ranging from research, innovation, grant advising, advocacy and policy toward attainment of health equity, gender equality and sustainable development. Advocating for the sexual and reproductive health rights of girls and women with disabilities in Kenya. Leading efforts to strengthen care coordination strategies to improve access, delivery, and quality of treatment and care in rural communities. Advocating to improve child health by testing innovative community and state solutions, centering equity and anti-racism, and co-creating policy and systems change.

MEGAN L. SRINIVAS

Infectious disease physician, clinical instructor, and translational health policy research fellow, University of North Carolina School of Medicine Fort Dodge, U.S.

LINDSLEY JEREMIAH VILLARANTE

Division chief, Department of Health - Health Policy Development and Planning Bureau Muntinlupa, Philippines

Utilizing politics and policy to improve health care access in rural U.S., including COVID policy. Researching social innovation for sexual and reproductive health in resource-limited settings globally. Improving the Philippine health system through the development and advocacy of legislation that enables a productive, resilient, equitable, and peoplecentered health system for universal health care.

BRAM P. WISPELWEY

Associate physician, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; instructor in medicine, Medical School, Harvard University; chief strategist, Health for Palestine Boston, U.S.

Developing solutions to institutional racism in hospital access. Leading a community health program in Palestinian refugee camps. Refining public health approaches to COVID-19.

ZAHRAA AL-SARRAF

Pharmacist; regional manager, IPSF-EMRO (International Federation of Pharmaceutical Students Associations) Baghdad, Iraq

Working to design projects that promote health and well-being, as well as raising awareness of harmful practices against women’s and girl’s health.

SARA LAVINIA BRAIR

Public health physician, Ministry of Health Khartoum, Sudan

MARLENE CAMACHO-RIVERA

Assistant professor of community health sciences, School of Public Health, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Richmond Hill, U.S.

Strengthening primary health care, through addressing social inequalities affecting access to health care in rural areas and refugee camps. Developing communityengaged approaches to promote chronic disease self-management among urban and racial and ethnic minoritized communities.

KATE DAUGHERTY

Community impact director Hopeworks Camden Philadelphia, U.S.

Combining key tools from transitional justice and conflict resolution with trauma-informed practices to help communities reconnect and heal from violence.

PEDRO DELGADO

Vice president, Institute for Healthcare Improvement Belfast, United Kingdom

PRATIKSHA DHUNGANA

Dental surgeon, Naya Health Nepal Lalitpur, Nepal

REGINA DUPERVAL

Medical director, Kay Mackenson Clinic Port-au-Prince, Haiti

QUSAI HAMMOURI

Director of Pediatric Orthopedics Northwell Health New York, U.S.

Leading key senior relationships and design and implementation of large-scale health system improvement efforts and networks globally. Promoting oral health and nutrition, and supporting programs that work with needy and marginalized populations. Targeting individual needs so all patients can reach their best health whatever their socioeconomic status. Improving access to care for minorities and developing systems to build surgical programs.

SCOTT HOWELL

Director of Public Health Dentistry and Teledentistry, A.T. Still University Phoenix, U.S.

BRENDA HUGHES

Regional community health coordinator, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Waterboro, U.S.

SHANNON JORDAN

Program analyst, Veterans Health Administration Accokeek, U.S.

PAIGE KNOWLSON

Executive director, Pattison’s Academy Charleston, U.S.

Developing and implementing non-traditional health care delivery models to decrease and eliminate barriers to care. Developing community coalitions, building sustainable communities, and addressing root causes of health inequities. Improving workforce diversity, cultural competency, and minority staff pipelines at the Veterans Health Administration. Building collaborative, interdisciplinary teams, programs and communities to promote childhood health and development.

NAGLAA FATHY LITHY

Senior programs specialist, Center for Development Services Giza, Egypt

MARX ITABELO LWABANYA

Medical director, Nundu Deaconess Hospital Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

ANA ORTEGA

Community psychologist, Compañeros en Salud, Partners in Health Angel Albino Corzo, Mexico

OSCAR RAMIREZ

Project coordinator, Partners In Health Perú (Socios En Salud) Lima, Peru

Building capacity for young health stakeholders to be “champions of change” for health awareness and equity using gamification. Improving neonatal, maternal and newborn health in settings with limited resources and poor communities. Co-creating “women’s circles” with community health workers and training them to facilitate groups that will provide mental health care with a gender lens. Creating comprehensive responses to tuberculosis, with a focus on human rights, gender rights and vulnerable populations.

HAYDEÉ RUMALDO

Project coordinator, Socios En Salud Sucursal Perú, Partners in Health Lima, Peru

MUHAMMAD AHMAD SADDIQ

Chief executive officer, Rural Health Mission Nigeria, Gombe, Nigeria

Developing strategies with a comprehensive approach to ensure health care for caregivers and children, and promoting early childhood development in Peru. Focusing on eliminating barriers to quality health care access in hard-to-reach and underserved communities in Nigeria.

AKSHITA SIDDULA

Community organizing director Right to Health Action Baltimore, U.S.

CLAIRE THOMAS

Economic development coordinator, East Side Neighborhood Development Company Minneapolis, U.S.

Recruiting and training health care activists and organizers to push for polices that create a just health care system. Working with community members to design and implement innovative solutions for more inclusive economic systems in community development.