School of Social Welfare to host panel, networking event to celebrate launch of new center

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas School of Social Welfare will host a panel presentation and networking opportunity April 23 that will celebrate the launch of the school’s new Center for the Advancement of Healthcare for Everyone (CAHE).

The two-part event will open with a panel discussion led by local and national health care experts and will conclude with networking and capstone poster presentations for the Integrated Health Scholars Program (IHSP).

The event is free and open to the public, and the panel discussion will offer 1.5 hours of continuing education (CEU) credit. The panel, titled "The Power of Collectively Addressing Social Determinants of Health to Promote Healthy Communities," will be offered in person from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the BEST Building on the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park and online through Zoom. Register to attend.

The poster and networking event, also at the KU Edwards Campus BEST Building, will take place from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Four researchers in the School of Social Welfare are the founding directors of the center. Cheryl Holmes, Michelle Levy, Jason Matejkowski and Carrie Wendel-Hummell conduct research that focuses on health, with a history of working to advance health care for disadvantaged populations.

"We are excited to launch our new center with a panel of community-based health experts who have had a real impact on advancing health, locally and nationally, by addressing social determinants of health,” Wendel-Hummell said.

The work of CAHE seeks to improve the performance of and access to health, behavioral health and long-term care systems that will enhance the health and quality of life of diverse populations across the lifespan. Part of CAHE’s mission is its commitment to promoting health equity and access by focusing on social determinants of health.

The center emphasizes the value of community collaboration at all stages of research, from working with community partners to identify research questions that are important to them and designing data collection measures that meet community member needs to disseminating research results in ways that are accessible and useful to communities.

The Integrated Health Scholars Program at the KU School of Social Welfare trains Master of Social Work students to provide high-quality integrated behavioral health services in rural and other high-need areas of Kansas and western Missouri.

MSW students will present capstone projects about expanding health care access at their agencies.

"This is a great opportunity for soon-to-be graduates to share with our community the work they have conducted in their practicum settings as an integrated health scholar,” Matejkowski said. “It also serves a valuable networking event that aids in identifying postgraduation employment prospects."

Panelists

The panel discussion features leaders from local and national healthcare organizations:

Carla Gibson

Carla Gibson is vice president of programs at the REACH Healthcare Foundation, responsible for all program functions of the foundation, including developing strategic community investments designed to implement REACH’s mission of advancing health equity in its six-county service area. Gibson joined REACH in 2006 and has guided the foundation’s health equity investments, including a strategic focus on community awareness and support services for immigrants and refugees, a regional effort to establish a Welcoming KC action plan and a new leadership development program for nonprofit organizations led by Black leaders.

Carlie Houchen

Carlie Houchen, MPH, serves as the director of health systems for the Sunflower Foundation. In her role, she engages with Kansas communities, providers, advocates, local organizations and patients to build a grantmaking strategy that supports the foundation’s mission. Houchen works to optimize the local health and health care delivery system (public health, behavioral health and primary care) so that all Kansans can live their healthiest life. 

Kathy Greenlee

Kathy Greenlee is the senior director for elder justice initiatives for ADvancing States, the national membership organization of state agencies on aging, disability and Medicaid home and community-based services. Her work is focused on elder abuse, adult protective services, guardianship and rural aging. From 2009 to 2016, she served as assistant secretary for aging at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, a position to which she was appointed by then-President Barack Obama. During her time at HHS, Greenlee led the team that created the Administration for Community Living and served as the agency’s first administrator. Greenlee worked 18 years in Kansas state government, including serving as Kansas secretary for aging and Kansas state long-term care ombudsman. She is a board member and past chair for the National Council on Aging. Greenlee is a KU graduate, having received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a juris doctor from the School of Law.