voices – Here for Life

Voices of Hennepin Healthcare: Rebecca Thomas

January 5, 2022

Rebecca Thomas, an Elliot Park Neighborhood advocate, shares the importance of holistic and trusted programs that are guided by community conversations.

“I grew up in an area that was highly diverse with different racial, cultural and religious backgrounds. I came from a low-income family and was surrounded by wealth disparities,” shares Rebecca Thomas, a licensed clinical social worker and the Interim Administrator at Elliot Park Neighborhood, Inc.

“I was drawn to the voices that you don’t typically hear, those who have to work extra hard to make ends meet. This drew me to the community organizing side of things, based on the desires of what people were explicitly telling me.” (more…)

Voices of Hennepin Healthcare: Akhmiri Sekhr-Ra

December 3, 20211

The Chief Family Development Officer at the Cultural Wellness Center shares her harmonious vision for wellness – and why we need community to enjoy health.

“I can count on one hand how many jobs I’ve had,” says Akhmiri Sekhr-Ra with pride. “My mother worked at the same place until she retired. I’m doing the same at the Cultural Wellness Center. This is my retirement plan; I’m not going anywhere else.”

Akhmiri is now the Chief Family Development Officer at the Cultural Wellness Center in Minneapolis, an organization with strong, longstanding ties to Hennepin Healthcare. She became involved with the Center in 1996 as a community member, was asked to join the Board and then became a community partner. She came on staff 15 years ago. (more…)

Voices of Hennepin Healthcare: Jennifer DeCubellis, CEO, introduces an exciting planning process to accelerate the organization’s run toward change

November 2, 20211

Hennepin Healthcare recently launched a planning process to advance health equity within its system to improve care for the community and entire region. This planning process aims to reimagine the health system entirely — by advancing equity — and helping all team members work more effectively to deliver what the community needs.

“Hennepin Healthcare is not just a safety net hospital,” asserts Jennifer DeCubellis, CEO. “It’s an incredible resource to the community, state and entire region. We are well positioned to create the future of what healthcare should be.” (more…)