Gregory Powers

In an effort to give Washtenaw County residents the necessary tools to vote, the WHI has released a new Vote for Health toolkit—which includes education around the connection between health and voting access, alongside practical tools to help voters educate themselves before casting their ballot. Research from the Healthy Democracy, Healthy People initiative shows that … Read more

Research from the Healthy Democracy, Healthy People initiative that shows states with more inclusive voting policies and greater levels of civic participation have better health outcomes.  Furthermore, the research demonstrates that low voter participation drives health disparities, as barriers become self-reinforcing. People experiencing poor health are less likely to vote because they have to manage their … Read more

For the second year, WHI stakeholders are encouraged to nominate a community health initiative for the WHI’s collaborative impact award. It’s a simple process. Just provide the following information in the form at the bottom of this page, which includes: A description of the collaborative The name of the organization(s) that led the initiative The … Read more

Michigan Medicine’s Department of Internal Medicine has awarded Dr. Brent Williams, Washtenaw Health Initiative Steering Committee member, with its Lifetime Achievement Award. The award recognizes faculty members with distinguished achievement through a lifetime of inspired care for patients, service, mentorship, leadership, and scholarship, upholding the highest ideals of the profession while serving as an inspiration … Read more

The WHI’s Medicaid and Marketplace Outreach and Enrollment Work Group—also known as MMOE—serves the county by implementing projects and fostering partnerships that increase health insurance enrollment across Washtenaw County. This includes connecting with community partners, analyzing data, giving presentations, and hosting events that educate and encourage people to sign up for Medicaid or Marketplace health … Read more

On January 31st, 2020—in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic—the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a Public Health Emergency (PHE) for the entire United States. Since then, the act has been continuously renewed in 90-day increments. The PHE has fostered the health and wellbeing of low-income Washtenaw County residents … Read more

In Washtenaw County, there is an organization working daily to advocate for and support people affected by substance use disorder—engaging with local and state policymakers, telling stories of recovery that educate the community, and providing free overdose rescue kits to save lives. That organization is the Washtenaw Recovery Advocacy Project, also known as WRAP. And … Read more

While the WHI’s key priority areas—behavioral health, social determinants of health, access to care, and senior services—will remain the focus of the collaborative’s upcoming work, the WHI Steering Committee recognizes the need to address important issues that intersect with the group’s mission and goals in profound ways. At this February’s Steering Committee meeting, the group … Read more