Health Equity

COVID-19

Health Equity Advisory and Leadership (HEAL) Council

HEAL Council Members The Health Equity Advisory and Leadership (HEAL) Council was created as part of a broader effort by the Minnesota Department of Health to address Minnesota’s disparities in health status – particularly those persistent disparities across various ethnic, racial and regional groups. The HEAL Council represents the voices of many communities most severely impacted by health inequities across the state, including racial and ethnic minority groups, rural Minnesotans, Minnesotans with disabilities, American Indians, LGBTQ community members, refugees and immigrants.

The council assists the Minnesota Department of Health in carrying out the efforts outlined in the department’s strategic plan and its Advancing Health Equity report, including advising on specific MDH policies and programs. The council also assists MDH in developing strong performance measures related to advancing health equity. By February 15, 2019, and annually thereafter, the council will prepare and submit a report to the Commissioner of Health that summarizes the activities of the council and specific objectives the group will pursue during the upcoming year.

Members represent multiple communities and organizations that work to advance the health of those most impacted by health inequities in Minnesota. They bring both expertise on a range of health topics and the lived experiences of their respective geographic/cultural communities. The knowledge and wisdom of council members will enhance the work of MDH in advancing health equity for all communities in Minnesota.

Members

Dr. Jokho Farah, Peoples Center Health Services (Co-Chair)
Jennifer Nguyen Moore, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (Co-Chair)
Aaron Wittnebel, A Wittnebel Consulting
Anita Buel, Commission on Deaf, Deafblind, Hard of Hearing
Ayah Mohammed, Family Tree Clinic
Callie Chamberlain, Optum Health
Cassandra Silveira, Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), U of MN Extension
Dr. Laurelle Myhra, Native American Community Clinic
Dr. Tracine Asberry, St. Paul Youth Services
Jeremy Hanson Willis, JustUs Health
Jessica Coleman, Hennepin County
Pa Chua Vang, Maplewood Care Center
Samuel Moose, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa's Human Services Division
Talia Miracle, The Food Group
Therese Genis, Fairview Health Services
Zitlali Chavez Ayala, Ramsey County

2021 Meeting Information

HEAL Council meetings will be held via ZOOM for the first half of 2021 and at Wilder Foundation for the second half of the 2021. Wilder Foundation is located at 451 Lexington Ave North, St. Paul. The rooms for each meeting is noted below. There is free parking onsite at Wilder and the building is adjacent to the Green Line and multiple bus routes.

All HEAL meetings are public meetings. If you have interest in attending a future HEAL meeting, please contact Amy Lopez at, Amy.Lopez@state.mn.us and you will be sent the meeting link.

If community members have interest to share a public comment about a health equity need or concern at a HEAL meeting, there is time at the end of each meeting from 1:45 p.m.- 2:00 p.m. If you would like to share a public comment, please contact Amy Lopez at, Amy.Lopez@state.mn.us, one week before the HEAL meeting. We may not be able to accommodate a public comment with less than a week's notice.

January 22, 2021- Virtual Meeting
February 19, 2021- Virtual Meeting
March 19, 2021- Virtual Meeting
April 16, 2021- Virtual Meeting
May 21, 2021- Virtual Meeting
June 18, 2021- Virtual Meeting
July 16, 2021- Wilder Foundation, Auditorium A & B
August 20, 2021- Wilder Foundation, Auditorium A & B
September 17, 2021- Wilder Foundation, Auditorium A & B
October 22, 2021- Wilder Foundation, Auditorium A & B
November 19, 2021- Wilder Foundation, Auditorium A & B
December 17, 2021- Wilder Foundation, Auditorium A & B

2020 Meeting Information

Meetings will be held at Wilder Foundation at 451 Lexington Ave N, St. Paul from 12:00pm – 2:00pm. The room for each meeting is noted below. There is free parking onsite at Wilder and the building is adjacent to the Green Line and multiple bus routes.

January 17, 2020 in Frogtown 2510 - January 2020 Meeting Minutes
February 14, 2020 in Frogtown 2510 - February 2020 Meeting Minutes
March 13, 2020 in Frogtown 2510 - March 2020 Meeting Minutes
April 10, 2020 - Virtual Meeting - April 2020 Meeting Minutes
May 8, 2020 - Virtual Meeting
June 19, 2020 - Virtual Meeting
July 10, 2020 - Virtual Meeting
August 14, 2020 - Virtual Meeting
September 11, 2020 - Virtual Meeting
October 23, 2020 - Virtual Meeting
November 13, 2020 - Virtual Meeting
December 11, 2020 - Virtual Meeting

2019 Meeting Minutes

January 2019 Meeting Minutes (PDF)
March 2019 Meeting Minutes (PDF)
May 2019 Meeting Minutes (PDF)
July 2019 Meeting Minutes (PDF)
September 2019 Meeting Minutes (PDF)
November 2019 Meeting Minutes (PDF)

Recommendations to Commissioner of Health

2019

In January 2019, the HEAL Council released a memo to Commissioner Malcolm identifying critical issues and recommending solutions for the agency to address as the state moved into a new gubernatorial administration. The memo is available through the link below:

HEAL Council Memo to Commissioner of Health

In April 2019, the Commissioner of Health sent a response to the council chairs and members to thank them for their recommendations, share current work related to the council's recommendations, and to pledge her full support in the important work of advancing health equity. The commissioner's response is available through the link below:

Commissioner's Response to HEAL Council Memo