The Office for Community Engagement and Health Equity will bring our outreach and mentoring, community engagement, and health equity work together under one unit. The following members will come together to form the new office.
David H. Garcia, MEd, has been appointed to serve as the associate dean for community, health equity, and belonging which will include the newly named Office for Community Engagement and Health Equity in addition to his role in the existing Office for Diversity, Health Justice, and Belonging.
Brian Myers will lead the office as director of community engagement and report directly to David H. Garcia. In addition to his current duties, he will oversee our health equity, outreach and mentorship efforts. He will also report to the dean and support the college’s ongoing statewide partnership development aimed at advancing our mission and vision.
Luis Manriquez, MD, will join in his new role as director of community health equity, where he leads the health equity and community organizing efforts. Dr. Manriquez will transition out of his role as the health equity thread director as we are currently hiring a director of health equity.
We are currently in the search process for a director for health equity education with an anticipated start date of fall 2023.
Jessica Gerdes, manager for outreach and mentorship, and Marisa Montesi, outreach and mentorship coordinator, will join the office and report to Brian Myers.
We thank Ken Roberts, PhD, for his leadership in partnering with communities and educational organizations to develop the outreach and mentorship programs and guiding our initial community engagement work. Dr. Roberts will remain involved in facilitating efforts in Stevens County and beyond.