The Heartland Regional Health Equity Council (RHEC) aims to end health disparities in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska.  By  maintaining a diverse membership representing several sectors such as state government, higher education, healthcare delivery, private foundations, and non-profit organizations, the Heartland RHEC ensures adequate input from diverse sectors in the council’s efforts to understand and address health disparities in the region. 

The Heartland RHEC envisions a region and nation free of inequities in health and health care.

The mission of the Heartland RHEC  is to increase the collective leadership actions in the region that promote health equity in the communities where we live, work, play, learn, and worship. This will be accomplished through the creation, promotion, and integration of policies and programs to eliminate health inequities and through coordination of partners and stakeholders committed to action within Region VII. 

The RHEC has prioritized two distinct products to nurture: The Heartland Conference on Health Equity and Patient Centered Care and a longitudinal survey of health equity in the region. Listed below are members of the 2022 Conference Planning Committee.

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W. Todd Moore - University of Kansas Medical Center

Todd Moore is the Co-Chair for the Regional Health Equity Council Planning Committee. He is also the Project Director for the University of Kansas Medical Center. Mr. Moore has experience and a deep-rooted passion in community development, non-profit leadership, health equity, and social justice working with diverse populations and interests all over the world. He has dedicated his work to advocating for young people, underrepresented populations, and community development issues.

Josie Rodriguez - OneWorld Community Health Centers

​Josie Rodriguez, BS, MHA, is the Co-Chair of the Regional Health Equity Council.  She recently joined OneWorld Community Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska, as the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer. Josie works to implement and integrate proactive diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that lead to more equitable and inclusive practices for the workforce, patients, and partners of OneWorld. 

Dr. Mariah Chrans, Ph.D. - Cradle Kansas City

Mariah Chrans is the Project Director of Cradle Kansas City. She has worked in public health and maternal child health for 16 years. Mariah received a PhD in Public Health and Community Health in 2021.  Her research background is in maternal and infant health, with a focus on the perinatal and intrapartum period. Mariah joined the Community Health Council of Wyandotte team in September of 2018 with 15 years of maternal and infant health and community health experience. 

Greg Donovan, MPA - Society of Care

Greg Donovan, MPA is the Director of the Santee Sioux Nation Society of Care. The Society of Care is a trauma resource for all self-identified Native American youth and their families throughout Nebraska. We care for our relatives by providing accessible, affordable and culturally sensitive behavioral care. We give Native youth a voice, connect them to services, provide wellness education, instill cultural pride, and empower them to build resilience. Greg is active in numerous state, regional, and national health equity initiatives.

Viannella Halsall - American Academy of Family Physicians

Viannella Halsall (she/her), M.P.H. is a Program Strategist in the Center for Diversity and Health Equity at the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). In this role, she develops, supports, and oversees resources and programming that assist family physicians with advancing health equity in their practices and communities. She has over 15 years of experience working with integrative teams of health care professionals, school administrators, social service agencies, nonprofit organizations, and public health organizations to provide education, increase access to care, and advocate for populations that have been historically disenfranchised. 

Erica Hill - Lawrence Memorial Hospital

Erica Hill graduated from the University of Kansas with an undergraduate degree in Human Biology and earned a master’s degree in Healthcare Leadership from Friends University. In addition to overseeing finance and strategic initiatives for the Lawrence Memorial Hospital (LMH) Health Foundation, she is also engaged in the broader, strategic work of LMH Health, as the Director of Health Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity. Erica volunteers her time by serving on numerous committees and advisory councils, such as the COVID-19 Unified Command Equity Impact Advisor team. 

Corstella Johnson - HHS/OASH/OMH Region VII

Corstella Johnson, MPH, CHES is the Regional Minority Health Analyst for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health and Office of Minority Health, Region 7 (MO, IA, KS, and NE). Her work includes promoting and implementing national initiatives that are culturally and linguistically appropriate to improve the quality of health for racial and ethnic minority populations. Additionally, she works with regional and local partners to identify and promote public health priorities and promising practices in the area of public health prevention, policy, and health promotion. 

Elizabeth Lewis - March of Dimes

Elizabeth Lewis joined the March of Dimes at the beginning of 2021 as the director of Maternal and Infant initiatives for the Kansas City Market, covering Kansas and Western Missouri. Before transitioning to March of Dimes, she had been a practicing women's health nurse practitioner for 10 years working in Kansas City with high-risk, low-resourced women. She made the transition because she is deeply committed to the mission of the March of Dimes. This organization leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support research, lead programs, and provide education and advocacy, so that every family can have the best possible start.

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WEBINAR SERIES INFORMATION

The Heartland RHEC launched a series of educational opportunities that highlight regional perspectives, programs and policies related to health equity and COVID-19.  These interactive webinars will discuss health equity challenges in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa.

Exploring Regional Health Equity Amid COVID-19
May 29, 2020 

View webinar here: https://vimeo.com/424131858
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Regional Perspectives on Financial Literacy & Workforce Development
View webinar here: 

Mental Health Needs in the Time of COVID
View webinar here:https://vimeo.com/466708495

CHW Responses to the Pandemic
View webinar here: 
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