In June, Region 6 Regional Administrator LaKesha Pope Jackson participated in a rural road trip to Huston-Tillotson University, the only HBCU in Austin, Texas. There, she was joined by CMS Regional Administrator Shannon Hills, Arrah Tabe-Bedward, Director in the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation at CMS, David Nilasena, Chief Medical Officer at CMS, other CMS staff, and Jason Berry, HRSA Regional Administrator. They met with Dr. Archibald Vanderpuye, Provost of Huston-Tillotson University; Linda Jackson, Vice President of Institutional Advancement at the university; Tara Trower, Director at Community Care Health Centers; and others. Each year, the university hosts a public health data camp to expose and encourage HBCU students to the impact that health informatics — which utilizes public health data to improve to improve decision making — has on public health. Students that complete the program are eligible for internships in public health with local health authorities, institutions, and healthcare entities. In addition to promoting public health careers, the university has a collaboration with the Sandra Joy Anderson Health and Wellness Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), co-located on their campus. The university partners with the clinic and Black Mamas ATX to promote maternal health and improve maternal health outcomes through the services provided by the clinic and campus programs. The university appreciates hosting HHS on-campus to promote government workforce opportunities and direct outreach to students.
The following month, RA Pope Jackson, along with Program Specialist Mae Rowlett, participated in a pair of meetings with federal and community partners to promote changes made to health care access in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Both discussions were led by HHS’ CMS Dallas, in concert with the Patient Assistance Network (PAN) Foundation. CMS Dallas Regional Administrator Shannon Hills shared her office’s commitment to work with partners and amplify their shared priorities. The PAN Foundation shared information about their medication assistance program, which benefits older adults. Federal partners who joined the conversation included leaders from HRSA, ACF, CMS, OASH, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Small Business Administration, and the HHS Regional Director. Individuals from over 50 community partners representing physicians, advocacy groups, community-based organizations, healthcare executives, hospitals, and beneficiaries also attended. The event culminated in a commitment from federal and community partners to join in coalition. They will work with CMS and the PAN Foundation to share resources in their local communities about the IRA and medication assistance programs.