Health Equity Announcements
May 2024
The Center for Health Equity has a new name!
The Center for Health Equity, which was created in 2013 to advance health equity, has grown dramatically in recent years. Recognizing this growth and the center’s role in providing support and technical assistance across the agency, the executive office has elevated the Center for Health Equity to a division at the Department of Health. With this structural change, the Center for Health Equity will now be called the Division of Health Equity Strategy and Innovation, or health equity division for short.
“This name change is about recognizing the critical and expanded role of this team in supporting health equity strategy and innovation across our many programs and divisions at MDH,” said Dr. Halkeno Tura, assistant commissioner for the Health Equity Bureau, which houses the health equity division. “When health equity is seamlessly integrated into all of our public health initiatives, the programs, research, and policies we formulate undergo a fundamental transformation, enabling us to address the root causes of preventable health disparities rather than merely addressing surface-level symptoms.”
Health equity division Director Odi Akosionu-DeSouza added that, while the core values of the health equity center remain, elevating the center to a division will better position us to partner with programs and divisions across the agency on innovative, systems-level approaches that will support true transformation. Learn more about the teams and staff in the health equity division on the Health Equity Staff and Contact Information page.
The Division of Health Equity Strategy and Innovation is now one of many areas at MDH dedicated to advancing equity within MDH and across Minnesota. The health equity division sits within the larger Health Equity Bureau, which was created in 2022 to bring an overt and expanded health equity focus to the work of the agency. Learn more about the offices and teams in the Health Equity Bureau in the MDH organizational chart.
February 2024
MDH welcomes DaVonna Rucker as director of the new Office of African American Health
The Minnesota Department of Health is pleased to welcome DaVonna Rucker as the director of the new Office of African American Health. Rucker’s first day at MDH was Feb. 7, 2024.
“Please join me in extending a warm welcome to DaVonna as she undertakes this crucial role within the Office of African American Health,” said MDH Assistant Commissioner Dr. Halkeno Tura. “I am confident that her expertise and passion will significantly contribute to our ongoing efforts to promote health equity across the state.”
Read the full announcement about DaVonna.
January 2024
MDH welcomes Akosionu-DeSouza as new leader of health equity division
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is pleased to welcome Odichinma (Odi) Akosionu-DeSouza as the new director of the Center for Health Equity (CHE). Akosionu-DeSouza’s first day at MDH was Jan. 17, 2024.
“We are excited to have Odichinma join MDH,” said MDH Assistant Commissioner Dr. Halkeno Tura. “She brings a rich background in equity research and translating evidence into effective solutions, and she shares our vision for systems transformation to advance equity. We look forward to adding her knowledge and leadership to our work advancing equity across Minnesota.”
Read the full announcement about Odi.
July 2023
Now accepting applications for the Health Equity Advisory and Leadership (HEAL) Council and the Community Solutions Advisory (CSA) council
Applications are now open for the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Health Equity Advisory and Leadership (HEAL) Council. HEAL was created as part of a broader effort by MDH to address Minnesota’s inequities in health status. HEAL represents the voices of many communities most impacted by health inequities across the state, including racial and ethnic minority groups, American Indians, rural Minnesotans, Minnesotans with disabilities, LGBTQ community members, and refugees and immigrants. The knowledge and wisdom of council members will enhance the work of MDH in advancing health equity for all communities in Minnesota.
Read the full announcement about the HEAL and CSA councils.
June 2023
Announcing the new cohort of COVID-19 community engagement and diverse media grantees
We are pleased to announce the new cohort of COVID-19 community engagement and diverse media grantees. These grants began in the spring of 2023 and go through June 30, 2024. For more information, visit the COVID-19 Community Engagement and Diverse Media Grants page.
For additional questions about this grant program, please email health.covidmedia.MDH@state.mn.us.
January 2023
The Center for Health Equity reflects on 2022
Dear Staff and Health Equity Partners,
As we each look forward with hope and optimism for the next year's possibilities, I want to mark 2022 as a significant year for health equity in Minnesota. We laid a foundation for the future with the launch of the Health Equity Bureau, strengthened our fantastic team, won several awards from the communities we serve, helped to save many from COVID-19, learned, survived, and now move forward with a focus on repair, recovery, and hope. (Photo credit: Ivy Vainio)
Read the full reflection from Dr. Tura.
December 2022
[The application period has expired]
Now accepting applications for COVID-19 community engagement and diverse media grants
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) released a request for proposals (RFP) (PDF) on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, and plans to make available approximately $7.3 million for multiple grant awards from approximately April 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024. The proposal submission deadline is Jan. 18, 2023.
Please visit the COVID-19 Community Engagement and Diverse Media RFP page for more information.
Read the full announcement on the COVID-19 grants.
May 2022
[The application period has expired]
Now accepting applications for one vacancy on the Community Solutions Advisory Council
The Center for Health Equity invites community members to apply to fill two vacancies on the Community Solutions Advisory (CSA) Council. The CSA Council plays a key role in shaping the Community Solutions for Healthy Child Development grant program. The grant program funds community-based initiatives to improve the well-being of children of color and American Indian children from prenatal to grade 3 and their families.
Please feel free to contact us at health.equity@state.mn.us with any questions.