Partnering with the community
We are committed to health equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. One aspect of this commitment is our Community Advisory Council for Research and Evaluation. We are working to strengthen mutual trust with the communities we serve, nurture ideas rooted in local priorities, and enhance research to promote better health and well-being in our community. Principles of equity, co-learning, and collaboration inform our approach to the Community Advisory Council.
About the Community Advisory Council
Community Advisory Council members partner with us to:
- Understand the needs of the communities we serve and provide input on ongoing and proposed activities to address those needs
- Help us plan, identify, and assess research and evaluation activities
- Inform and respond to approaches to conduct research
Community Advisory Council members
The Community Advisory Council includes community members with varied life experiences who share our commitment to improve health equity and reduce disparities. Members are deeply involved in community health. More than 70% of council members are people of color. They live throughout Minnesota and range in age from early 20s to older adult.
Members have personal and professional experiences often underrepresented in research, including in immigrant and Indigenous health, disability, LGBTQ+ issues, colorism, environmental toxicity, weight bias, and mental health. Members are knowledgeable about state and public health programs.
The Community Advisory Council has two co-chairs, community co-chair Antonia Apolinario-Wilcoxon, EdD, and HealthPartners physician/researcher Bjorn Westgard, MD, PhD.
How the Community Advisory Council can support your work
The Community Advisory Council is strengthening ties between our research and community interests and needs. To explore how to connect with the Community Advisory Council, email CommunityAdvisoryCouncil@HealthPartners.com.
