2007 LEADERSHIP FELLOWS SELECTED

Foundation’s Leadership Development Program Trains Next Generation of Public Health Trailblazers

NEW BRITAIN - September 1, 2006 - The Connecticut Health Foundation (CHF) selected 20 candidates to participate in its 2007 Leadership Fellows Program, Vice President for Program & Evaluation Will Crimi announced Wednesday.

“The Foundation is dedicated to eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities in Connecticut and we believe cultivating the next generation of public health leaders through skill-building and leadership development is an effective and efficient strategy,” said Crimi.  “As our Fellows move into management positions in state government, academia, business, and the nonprofit sector, we hope their knowledge of and commitment to eliminating health disparities will change the current health care system into one that is more responsive and equitable.”

The program, launched in 2005, is a yearlong (October to June) knowledge and skill-building program designed to create leaders, especially from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic communities, who will pursue careers in public policy, public health practice, community advocacy, academia, business or any other related field. 

The 2007 Leadership Fellows include:

• Cathleen M. Adamczyk, Program Director, North Star (Ansonia)
• Tanya L. Barrett, HUSKY Infoline Director, United Way of Connecticut (Rocky Hill)
• Yvette H. Bello, Ryan White Title I Supportive Service Program Coordinator, Latino Community Services (Hartford)
• Andres G. Digenio, Director of Clinical Research and Development, Pfizer, Inc. (Groton)
• Marian A. Evans, Director of Health and Social Services, City of Bridgeport (Bridgeport)
• Shanta L. Evans, Public Affairs Manager, Planned Parenthood of Connecticut, Inc. (New Haven)
• Linda Fecteau, Program Development Coordinator, Stonington Institute (Groton)
• Donna M. Grant, Executive Director, Thompson Ecumenical Empowerment Group (North Grosvenordale)
• Sue A. Greeno, Access to Care Director, Community Health Center, Inc. (Middletown)
• Maryland Grier, Public Affairs Officer, Connecticut Health Foundation (New Britain)
• Kumba Adia Hinds, former Student Intern, Matrix Public Health Consultants (New Haven)
• Rita Kornblum, Public Health Educator, City of Hartford Department of Health and Human Services (Hartford)
• Keesha Michelle Mayes, Community Program Coordinator, Griffin Hospital (Derby)
• Pamela A. Meliso, Senior Attorney, Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. (Mansfield)
• Robert Muro, Psychologist, New Britain General Hospital (New Britain)
• Diana Pierce Murray, Project Coordinator and Program Director, Family Focused Partnership and Waterbury Youth Services System, Inc. (Waterbury)
• Marcia B. Proto, Executive Director, Connecticut League for Nursing (Wallingford)
• Martin Schwartzman, Director of Family and Children Services, Bridges -- A Community Support System, Inc. (Milford)
• Isabel Turmeque, Quality Improvement Social Work Supervisor, Connecticut Department of Children and Families (Hartford)

The 2007 Fellows, who were selected through a competitive process, must make a one-year commitment to attend two weekend retreats and monthly seminars that will feature both local and national public health leaders, cultural and linguistic competence experts, and policymakers. Each Fellow also will receive a stipend of $1,500 to aid in their personal or professional development.  Plus, those who work for a nonprofit organization will receive an additional $500 gift for their employer. 

Applications for the 2008 Leadership Fellows Program will be available on our website – www.cthealth.org – starting in January of 2007.

The Connecticut Health Foundation (CHF) is the state’s largest independent, non-profit grantmaking foundation dedicated to improving the health of the people of Connecticut through systemic change, program innovation, and public health policy analysis.  Since it was established in July of 1999, CHF has awarded 299 grants in 40 cities and towns totaling more than to $23 million in three priority areas – children’s mental health, racial and ethnic health disparities, and oral health.

For additional information abut the Fellows program or the Foundation, please contact Monette Goodrich, Vice President of Communications & Public Affairs, at 860.224.2208 or monette@cthealth.org.