18 HealthConnect Fellows to advance system changes to improve children’s health

Nov 15, 2019

Eighteen fellows have joined Mid-Iowa Health Foundation’s HealthConnect Fellowship for a second 18-month phase focused on building a network of advocates to lead system changes that improve children’s well-being in central Iowa.

“For all children to live healthy lives, we need to address root causes that can lead to poor outcomes,” said Suzanne Mineck, president of Mid-Iowa Health Foundation. “Often those issues are created within the systems that surround our kids. This fellowship invests in professionals who can leverage their expertise and relationships, and work together as one network, to create policy and practice changes that will positively and equitably impact the health of our children now and in the future.”

Six fellows who joined the HealthConnect Fellowship in fall 2017 will continue their work. They have invited an additional 12 fellows with demonstrated expertise and commitment to addressing barriers to children’s health.

Each fellow will work to achieve a specific system-change goal in areas including children’s mental health, homelessness, unsafe streets, and disparities in accessing quality health care. Each participant will receive a $15,000 award and national-level training, along with mentoring and networking opportunities.

For a complete list of fellows and the issues they are working to address, view this document.

“This fellowship is about investing in our community’s human capital by giving health advocates a chance to grow their skills, innovate, build connections, and lead this challenging work,” says Libby Jacobs, Mid-Iowa Health Foundation Board Chair. “Witnessing the professional development of the fellows in the first phase provides the knowledge that an amazing group of advocates for children and health has emerged from this program, and we look forward to elevating that network in the next phase.”

Related Issues & Ideas

White Paper

Strengths of Latinx Immigrants Despite Legal Violence

View Strengths of Latinx Immigrants Despite Legal Violence
Report

Cultivating Change: How the HealthConnect Fellowship lifted a network of advocates to improve children's health in central Iowa

View Cultivating Change: How the HealthConnect Fellowship lifted a network of advocates to improve children's health in central Iowa

Creating Space for Change

Advocates connect through a shared commitment to improve health outcomes.

View Story
View Story

Centering People in Community Planning

Amal Barre's research and advocacy efforts address housing instability and the sense of belonging in the community.

View Story
View Story

Latinx Project Tells Story of Strength and Opportunity

New report highlights central Iowa Latinos contributions and disparities and elevates Latinx leaders

View Story
View Story

Champions for Change: A Collective Commitment to Children's Health

Outcomes from Mid-Iowa Health Foundation's HealthConnect Fellowship, October 2019-June 2021

View Story
View Story

Elevating the Latinx Community

How nonprofit leaders brought attention to the Latinx community and built new systems of support during the pandemic

View Story
View Story

Creating a Culture of Inclusivity

View Post

How Community Health Workers Can Improve Heart Health

View Post

How Medical-Legal Partnerships Can Link Systems to Improve Health Outcomes

View Post

Creating a Culture of Sustainability in Helping Professions

View Post

Meet Dr. Daniel Zinnel, Incoming Mid-Iowa Health Foundation Board Member

Foundation news
Aug 2, 2023
View Post

Using Data for Systems-Level Advocacy

Advocacy
Jul 28, 2023
View Post

7 Benefits of a Statewide System Approach to Community Health Work

View Post

Why I Advocate for Heart Disease Preventive Strategies

View Post

4 Ways to Center Youth in Mental Health Conversations

View Post

Economic Burden of Health Inequities: 5 Insights to Inform Action

View Post

Disability Rights Attorney Shares What Iowans Should Know About Medicaid

View Post

Health Equity Work in Action: What Funders Should Know

Funder practices
Apr 5, 2023
View Post

Basic Income: 4 Things to Know

Partnerships
Apr 4, 2023
View Post

Prioritizing Advocacy: How a Nonprofit Created a Full-Time Role

Advocacy
Feb 1, 2023
View Post

Meet the team leading UpLift – The Central Iowa Basic Income Pilot

View Post

HealthConnect Fellows: Engaging authentically in systems change

View Post

7 insights gained through a nonprofit merger

Foundation grants
Nov 17, 2022
View Post

Six Elements to Consider with Community Conversations

View Post

Community-Based Participatory Research: What to Know

View Post

How student research informed the basic income project

Action planning
Sep 20, 2022
View Post