Work Group: WHI

In November, Norman Herbert, founding co-chair of the WHI, stepped down. Herbert previously served on the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation board, and he brought years of experience relevant to community building and sustainability. He was a founding member of the WHI whose contributions from 2010 to 2020 helped residents get access to health insurance … Read more

In November of 2020, the WHI Steering Committee voted to include equity as a significant focus in 2021 and beyond. The Steering Committee asked that active workgroups incorporate equity into their projects and that WHI communications help build awareness about equity work taking place across the county, lifting up and amplifying local initiatives, and communicating … Read more

In September, Terrisca Des Jardins was selected to succeed Marianne Udow-Phillips as the new Executive Director of the Center for Health and Research Transformation (CHRT), backbone to the WHI. Des Jardins came to CHRT from her most recent role as chief operating officer of the Physician Organization of Michigan Accountable Care Organization (POM ACO), a … Read more

On March 13th, the first individual tested positive for COVID-19 in Washtenaw County. The WHI would quickly pivot to support community organizations and residents alike during the pandemic. Early efforts included assembling directories for community members dealing with the health, economic, and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; a two-page overview of key American Rescue … Read more

On September 19, the WHI Steering Committee agreed that “monitoring” or “sponsoring” projects—such as the Out-Of-Office Cardiac Arrest Learning Community, which has recently been approved as a sponsored project—should not be a role for the organization going forward. When projects fit within the WHI’s mission, leaders would be invited to share news and progress through … Read more

In December, the Frequent Users Systems Engagement (FUSE) research project team, facilitated by Avalon Housing and led by Aubrey Patiño, produced the final report for their project, “which provided housing and coordinated primary and behavioral health care to over 100 chronically homeless individuals who were frequent users of crisis health services in the county.” The … Read more

In June, Carrie Rheingans shared “WHI 6 Years in Review” with stakeholders and steering committee members. The piece highlights the Tailored Mental Health Management Support project, Frequent Users Systems Engagement, CareNet, Community Health Needs Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan, and Advance Care Planning accomplishments.