The Future of Health Equity in Cleveland

On Wednesday, May 18th, 2022, CHC held the latest “Future of Health Equity” convening in Cleveland Ohio. View video highlights, program, photo gallery, and Dr. Misak’s slides.

Recap:

  • CHC’s Chief Health Equity Officer Valerie L. Rochester welcomed guests and set the stage. CHC re-convened key stakeholders and new partners to share progress advancing health equity in Cleveland and discuss how we are moving forward together, including powerful new partnerships.
  • CHC Board Chair and Cleveland Cavaliers Vice President Kevin Clayton conducted a “fireside chat” with President and CEO of MetroHealth Dr. Akram Boutros, discussing trends in health equity and progress MetroHealth is making addressing social barriers to health through their community programs. Dr. Boutros also announced a new partnership between MetroHealth and CHC to elevate the “MetroHealth Model”—an integrated approach to health equity—and offer it as a national roadmap. Check out the tweets.
  • Next, Anthem Health Equity Director of Ohio Medicaid Plan Angela Abenaim spoke about Anthem’s commitment to health equity and maternal health, including a new partnership with CHC to address health disparities impacting Black pregnant women and reduce preterm births.
  • Program Director Adele Appiah introduced CHC’s community partners for the Anthem birthing initiative:
    • Village of Healing: Da’na Langford, CNM, Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer
    • Birthing Beautiful Communities: Jazmin Long, MSSA/MNO
      Chief Executive Officer
    • Pregnant with Possibilities Resource Center: Veranda Rodgers, MBA, Executive Director
    • MomsFirst (Cleveland Department of Public Health): Lita Wills, MPH, Commissioner, Division of Health Equity and Social Justice, Cleveland Department of Public Health
    • MetroHealth: Margarita Diaz
  • Next, Valerie Rochester introduced the Power of Partnerships and Health Equity in Cleveland panel, featuring Urban League of Greater Cleveland CEO Marsha Mockabee; Cleveland Department of Public HealthCommissioner, Division of Health Equity and Social Justice Lita-Marie Wills, MPH; and MetroHealth Institute for H.O.P.E. Medical Director Dr. James Misak. The panel discussed racism as a public health crisis; systemic responses, programs and partnerships needed to address a systemic problem; food insecurity, housing, data, bringing an equity lens to healthcare spending, and more. During the panel, Marsha Mockabee committed to working with the city to continue these community conversations. Audience engagement focused on the importance of teaching the community to fish versus providing fish, engaging with and listening to lived experiences of community members, and ensuring sustainability moving forward.
  • Valerie thanked all who participated and closed out the event
  • Later that day, event attendees, community leaders and CHC board members met for a networking reception and dinner.
  • On May 19, CHC’s board of directors met for their annual meeting, continuing these health equity conversations, including a special presentation on “Making Tough Choices” with the Cleveland Food Bank and recognition for outgoing Board Chair Kevin Clayton.

These events are part of CHC’s long-term commitment to bring businesses, nonprofits, government and community leaders together to break down the barriers to good health and equity.