In The News
December 2024
A Foundation for Change: First Call and the LAN’S Impact on Addiction SupportÂ
First Call, a cornerstone of Kansas City’s addiction recovery landscape since 1958, has long been dedicated to reducing the impact of alcohol, drugs, and addiction through education, prevention, and recovery support. Its 24/7 crisis call line, community education programs, and tailored recovery services reflect a commitment to meeting individuals and families where they are, offering immediate lifelines and sustainable pathways to wellness. For First Call, addiction is...Read more.
First Call
First Call is a member of the Kansas City Health Equity Learning and Action Network (the LAN).
December 2024
Children’s Mercy Uses the LAN to Drive Research and Address Disparities
In early 2022, Children’s Mercy Research Institute (CMRI) embarked on a transformative journey as part of the Kansas City Health Equity Learning and Action Network (LAN). The LAN includes a CEO roundtable and a learning phase followed by an action phase, girded by a shared agenda to markedly change systems, policies, and structures that perpetuate health inequity based on race and ethnicity. The LAN action teams address everything from birth equity as it relates to Black maternal and infant health to equitable measurement of kidney disease ...Read more.
Children's Mercy Research Institute
Children’s Mercy Research Institute is a member of the Kansas City Health Equity Learning and Action Network (the LAN).
December 2024
Culturally Concordant Care Eliminates Race-Based Disparities Among Diabetic Patients at Swope Health
The benefits of providing culturally concordant care have been long known. Research shows that health systems and clinics that have practitioners who reflect the community report higher patient satisfaction, improved patient-doctor communication, and greater trust in the health care system. These factors lead to improved adherence to treatment plans, and ultimately better health outcomes. Swope Health is a witness, and they are in good company. Health systems like…Read more.
Swope Health
Swope Health is a member of the Kansas City Health Equity Learning and Action Network (the LAN).
September 2023
Philanthropy is at a Crossroads for Accountability
As a relatively new entrant to philanthropy, I was recently asked about my attraction to and assessment of the field. Uncharacteristically, I found it challenging to articulate a response. Days later, accompanied by my Grantmakers in Health board colleagues, I visited, for the second time, the National Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama — two places every American should experience. These experiences evoked great clarity about the challenge of my response to that seemingly simple question. Read more.
Qiana Thomason
Qiana Thomason is the president and CEO of the Health Forward Foundation
July 2023
KC Group Tackles Health Inequity, Racism in Region
The existence of health care inequities in the United States based on race or ethnicity has been widely covered, especially since the COVID pandemic. A Kansas City group is actively working to identify and change systems contributing to such disparities. The Kansas City Health Equity Learning and Action Network is a coalition of 15 interdisciplinary teams committed to 18 months of learning and action. Read more..
As Seen In Public Health News
Public Health News covers the equity and antiracism work by the KC Learning and Action Network.
June 2023
Dan Cranshaw Named KCHC’s Executive Director
The KC Health Collaborative (KCHC), a pioneering organization dedicated to driving healthcare innovation and transformation, is pleased to announce the selection of Dan Cranshaw as its new Executive Director.  With a remarkable passion for advancing equity in community health, Dan brings a wealth of expertise to this critical role. Learn more.
Dan Cranshaw
Cranshaw is a prominent attorney, diversity and equity champion. He will play a pivotal role in advancing health equity in KC.
May 2023
Arrested Access: El Centro, Inc. Fights to Make Cancer Equitable for All
According to the Center for Immigration Studies, immigrant individuals – lawfully present and undocumented – made up 46.2 million people in the U.S. as of November 2021. Despite these numbers, the U.S. continues to have a torrid relationship with non- U.S.-born citizens, and especially those who require acute health care services. Read more.
El Centro
El Centro is a member of the Kansas City Health Equity Learning and Action Network (the LAN).
April 2023
No Equity Without Quality, No Quality Without Equity
The Kansas City Health Equity Learning and Action Network is addressing medically racist structures that have persisted since the early framing of Kansas City’s health care system. This article take a historical look at the early days of Kansas City’s medical history and sheds light on how those inequities persist today, and why the work of KC LAN is so crucial. Read the first in a series of articles.
Editorial Series
KC LAN has commissioned a series of articles that showcase the why behind the this work.
March 2023
Mission Vision Project Increases the Black Physician Pipeline
MVPKC
MVPKC is a member of the Kansas City Health Equity Learning and Action Network (the LAN).
December 2022
KC Health Collaborative Joins the LAN to Advance Health Equity in Kansas City
KC Health Collaborative
The KC Health Collaborative works on issues that are high priorities and where no one entity can do the work on their own.
December 2022
Race, Language and Ethnicity Project Pushes for a Healthier and More Equitable Kansas City
KC Care
KC CARE serves more than 20,000 patients, many of whom need financial assistance.
October 2022
Kansas City Nonprofit Addresses Black Maternal Health Crisis
CERB
The CERB works with researchers and policymakers who identify and refine projects that impact communities of color.
October 2022
University Health Continues to Shift to Racially-Conscious Health Care
University Health
University Health is an academic medical center providing quality healthcare to the Kansas City community and beyond.
September 2022
Health Forward CEO Announces Regional Partnership to Promote Health Equity
HEAlth forward foundation
Health Forward Foundation is on a mission to build inclusive healthy communities.
BioNexus KC
Equity Amplified
In Their Words
October 2023
Erica Andrade
El Centro Removes Generational Barriers Through Education, Community Health & Advocacy
July 2023
Emily Brown
Brown Brings Food Is Medicine Concept to KC
The transition from sick care to healthcare will take much work, but it will always be fueled by the industry recognizing the future and advantage of value-based care over volume-based care. For Emily Brown, CEO and Founder of Free From Market, once the industry started to shift to this paradigm, she was ready to bring the food as medicine concept to the forefront. Watch the video.
June 2023
Dr. Michael & Jamila Weaver
Mission Vision Works To Increase Black Physician Pipeline
For Michael L. Weaver, MD, FACEP, CDM, and his wife, Jamila Weaver, RN, BSN, MPA, leaders at Mission Vision Project, their singular goal is to uncover the reason for this gap and increase the number of underrepresented minorities who choose a healthcare career. This effort can potentially create a flywheel of benefits for healthcare in Kansas City. Listen in.
May 2023
Michelle P. Wimes, JD
DEI Expert Advances Health Equity Ecosystem at Children’s Mercy Kansas City
May 2023
Niki Lee Donawa
UH Executive Delivers Better Health to KC Community
May 2023
D. Rashaan Gilmore
BlaqOut Leader Finds Health Care Access Top Concern For KC’s Queer Black Men
There is a unique problem of representation when someone outside of a marginalized community attempts to lead a subset of that community. D. Rashaan Gilmore, Founder and President of BlaqOut, a nonprofit seeking to improve the health and social outcomes of Kansas City’s Black, queer community, has realized success in his work to support this community as an indigenous leader. Hear what he says.
Plans Are Underway
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