Health Equity Collaborative Receives National Healthcare Award from Health Industry Leaders
Healthcare Leadership Council Honors Colorado Equity Compass with the Redefining American Healthcare Award
DENVER, CO – The Healthcare Leadership Council (HLC) honored Colorado Equity Compass with its Redefining American Healthcare Award at a ceremony in Denver on Wednesday, October 26th.
The Colorado Equity Compass is a partnership between four organizations: Change Matrix, The Colorado Health Institute, Consume & Create, and funded by The Colorado Trust. It works to provide changemakers and communities with the stories, data, and resources they need to improve the lives of all Colorado residents. These groups recognize the challenges all communities face in areas such as health equity, cultural competency, social determinants of health, and making information digestible and understandable.
“The CEC collaborators – Change Matrix, Colorado Health Institute, and Consume & Create – deeply appreciate the recognition of our community-based data storytelling work. This award serves to further solidify our collective mission to remove health inequities across the state and further prioritize data access to improve the social determinants of health (SDOH) for all Coloradans — crucial factors that impact one’s long-term health and well-being,”says CEC Project Lead Dr. Rachele Espiritu. “We know that democratizing data and empowering communities to combine their own data and powerful stories can influence and drive change for equity. Every story matters.”
Debbie Witchey, the Healthcare Leadership Council’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, stated, “We are recognizing Colorado Equity Compass today because of its approach to meeting the needs of the community through innovative community partnerships. By working together to provide communities with data and resources, they are better able to change the lives of Colorado residents.” She added, “If we are to bring about comprehensive transformation of our healthcare system, then it is essential that we create a national awareness of initiatives like Colorado Equity Compass, so its influence grows beyond its own zip codes.”
“It is no surprise this effort to better serve high-need patients is being honored with the Redefining American Healthcare Award,” declared Senator John Hickenlooper in a video recording. “I hope your work to address health disparities in our system will make Colorado a happier and healthier place to live.”
Congresswoman Diana DeGette also provided recorded remarks, saying, “This recognition is a testament to the tireless work, that all four groups that make up the Colorado Equity Compass are doing every single day, to improve the health and well-being of everyone who lives in our state….On behalf of those who live the first congressional district I just want to say thank you and keep up the good work.”
The Healthcare Leadership Council created the Redefining American Healthcare Award to recognize best practices and programs in communities and organizations across the nation that optimize care for vulnerable patients. Award recipients are organizations developing and activating cost-effective, measurable community programs promoting a patient-centered approach to care that considers outside social factors to achieve the best outcomes.
For Immediate Release November 3, 2022
Contact: Kelly Fernandez 202-449-3452
