Our NASHP Emerging Leaders of Color (ELC) Fellowship 2022 program cohort concluded their activities in fall 2022. Over seven months, each 2022 NASHP Emerging Leaders of Color (ELC) Fellow completed a project under the guidance of an advisor (a current state leader of color), seeking to advance health equity. Learn more about advisor pairings and projects.

In addition to the project, ELC fellows deepened their knowledge of various health policy issues through learning activities, engaged state and federal health equity policymakers of color about career paths, and experienced leadership and professional development from, and with, their co-fellows.

To learn more about the 2022 fellows’ experiences, in their own words, read their reflections below.

Alyzah Virani

Being selected for NASHP’s Emerging Leader of Color Fellowship was not something I had predicted, and my experience became one of the most formative ones of my professional career. The fellowship served as a magnifying lens to the health policy-making process and really allowed me to understand all the moving, but equally important, pieces. Reflecting on my time as a Fellow, I was very fortunate to have met colleagues and mentors who instilled a stronger sense of responsibility to always ask questions, always learn, and never lose sight of the reasons why we all deserve an equitable and accessible healthcare system.

Anzhane Slaughter

The NASHP fellowship was by far the best fellowship I have ever been a part of. I received first-hand experience working alongside policy makers and government agencies outside of my state. This immersive experience allowed me the opportunity to witness how other municipalities operated and took on policy. I can honestly say this fellowship gave me transferable skills that I will carry as I continue to advocate for racial equity in policy whether in Washington State or elsewhere. Thank you NASHP for wonderful experience. I will never forget it!

Christian Minter

During my fellowship, I was paired with Dr. Michelle Robinson, Director of the inaugural Office of Health Equity, Wisconsin Department of Health Services. I collaborated with Dr. Robinson and her team to develop a glossary of concepts related to health equity with guidance on how to use them in communication with various community partners and stakeholders. I also had the opportunity to shadow Dr. Robinson during departmental meetings and met one-on-one with several Black women and women of color in leadership roles in state agencies in Wisconsin. This experience provided an insider look at the creation of a new office from the ground up, highlighted the ways health policy intersects with the work of state agencies and community-based organizations, and offered practical examples of how to build community with other Black women in policy and public health spaces.

Eddie Orduño

This fellowship has been nothing short of transformational for me. My lived experience as an immigrant has been something I’ve been ashamed of and avoided in conversation. I feared the hateful rhetoric and dehumanization that many share towards this community and the embarrassment that would ensue. I now can comfortably own who I am and am happy to share proudly that I am an immigrant, so I can use my privilege and be a voice for those whose voices are ignored. The NASHP fellowship has also taught me that the nature of this work is difficult, the bureaucracy is everlasting, and if it were easy, it would’ve been completed by now. I’ve also learned that although the work is challenging, navigating a systemically oppressive system that was built to see us fail is an even more difficult obstacle to overcome.

Kevin Han

The fellowship was a formative experience for me as I delved into state health policy. As an early career professional, I sought to complement my advocacy and direct services work with exposure to state government and policy. I was paired with René Mollow, the Deputy Director of Health Care Benefits and Eligibility at the California Department of Health Care Services. In six months, I have had the unique opportunity to learn how policies are formed and implemented, as well as the various teams and people that make it happen. Being able to fly out to California and meet René was a highlight for me as we really bonded in person, and I found her words comforting and leadership inspiring. I am grateful for NASHP for this opportunity to grow, ask questions, and learn about myself and what I want to pursue.

LaKaija Johnson

It was incredible to have the opportunity to join a trailblazing team working to explore the Role of Data in Advancing Health Equity in Indiana. Data tells what but doesn’t inherently explain why the communities we serve experience the outcomes revealed by the data. Actions taken without this expanded understanding can unintentionally exacerbate inequity. Throughout my fellowship I was reminded that my expertise, perspective, and ideas didn’t just matter, they were valuable! As a result of this experience, I am much better equipped to identify ways to serve my home state as an academic ally and citizen.

Maureen Johnson

For my fellowship, NASHP paired me with Lynnette Rhodes, the executive director of the medical assistance plans division for the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH). My project involved improving maternal health outcomes by extending the state’s postpartum Medicaid coverage. Georgia sought to expand coverage to 12 months. I participated in tasks associated with its implementation, such as attending stakeholders’ meetings, summarizing public comments, and drafting FAQs for members. I also visited Executive Director Rhodes in Atlanta, Georgia, and learned about how each unit of DCH functions to support Medicaid and CHIP. NASHP also crafted several learning opportunities about how state governments function. The ELC fellowship was a phenomenal experience that reshaped my professional goals. I hope to continue working to eliminate maternal health disparities through equitable policies.

Michaela Minnis

My interest in health policy, as it impacts women, children, and families, has grown over the past six months! I learned about the ins and outs of building government and doula relationships as doula care is an evidence-based component in improving maternity care. To build these relationships, stakeholders must be a part of a policy or program development from its beginning. Building relationships and trust with other leaders in health care, especially those who are closer to historically underserved communities, takes time, but these relationships can be the most valuable resource in identifying and addressing gaps in health care.

Wenrui Chen

I applied for the NASHP ELC Fellowship to learn how to effectively communicate with policymakers in advocating for more equitable healthcare coverage and access. Working with the Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division gave me invaluable insight into what it takes to modernize a vast and daunting public health system. I gained an appreciation of the continual effort it takes to center community in public health. The frankness and openness of all the people I spoke with during my fellowship showed me change is possible, even in a complex bureaucracy, and that words plus action is key to building trust.

To apply for NASHP’s ELC Fellowship, complete the application and email your resume to steshale@nashp.org by December 2, 2022. Email questions about the fellowship to Nicole Taylor at ntaylor@nashp.org.