On a bright fall morning in September, a group of changemakers leading health equity initiatives in Lake County, Illinois, gathered at the invitation of Rosalind Franklin University for its inaugural Health Equity Breakfast. Attendees included regional foundations, advocates, legislative representatives and innovators who joined RFU leadership for a lively discussion on health-equity education and community-based health and research.
The panel was led by RFU President and CEO Dr. Wendy Rheault, who was joined by Dr. Amanda Simanek, director of the Michael Reese Foundation Center for Health Equity Research; Ms. Lupe Rodriguez, executive director of Community Care Connection; and Dr. Lisa Hopp, interim dean of the College of Nursing. The breakfast aimed to facilitate peer-to-peer networking and collaboration across sectors among equity advocates who are focused on developing solutions and system change in the community.
“I was impressed with the collaboration among community partners and funders under the auspices of RFU, as well as its Michael Reese Foundation Center for Health Equity Research,” said Venoncia M. Baté-Ambrus, PhD, MS, MA, executive director of Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County. “I had several key takeaways.”
Among the takeaways was the importance of data as a catalyst for improved health in the community. Dr. Simanek reminded attendees of the groundbreaking work of the community-driven Michael Reese Foundation Center for Health Equity Research, including better understanding of the social drivers of health and designing interventions to alleviate health equity issues.
“Through this gathering, the partners better understood one another’s goals for regional health and the roles they each play in that vision. Together, they are leveraging each other’s strengths and supporting RFU’s important outreach efforts.”
“We aim to increase access and use of data to aid in decision-making that serves to improve health equity in our communities,” Dr. Simanek said.
The panelists shared strategies for collaboration and examples of the impact RFU is making through research, community outreach and workforce development. They discussed providing culturally responsive care, expanding education access, aiding health promotion and disease prevention and meeting the need for a more diverse healthcare workforce — all approaches to eliminating health inequities.
“Education is the conduit to making a difference,” Ms. Rodriguez said. “We change mindsets on various levels, whether that’s pursuing higher education or learning about how to manage chronic diseases. And for prevention, education is key to all those aspects of health equity.”
Through this gathering, the partners better understood one another’s goals for regional health and the roles they each play in that vision. Together, they are leveraging each other’s strengths and supporting RFU’s important outreach efforts.
“Research in the community demands humility and patience, as everyone’s needs are unique, including those of the institution,” said Yvette D. Castañeda, PhD, MPH, MBA, research assistant professor and community engagement lead at the Michael Reese Foundation Center for Health Equity Research. “True progress happens through partnerships with local groups who are deeply connected to the issues at hand. By collaborating, we build a team committed to addressing systemic challenges and confronting structural inequities. It’s about finding those willing to open their hearts, ears and time to drive real change for health equity.”
Amy Knutson Strack is director of advancement communications in the Office of Institutional Advancement.