Community Health Champions
Why you should join the program
Community Health Champions is an annual Central Health program that brings together diverse community members from across Travis County to learn about, discuss, and collaborate on our work to improve the health of Central Texas.
Through a series of 5 workshops, participants learn about the health care system for Travis County residents with low income and how Central Health and its partners come together to address health disparities.
Health Champions are challenged to think outside of their individual realities to become advocates for health care access and equity in their own communities.
*APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2025 PROGRAM WILL OPEN ON FRIDAY, MAY 2*
Meet our Community Health Champion Class of 2024
Diversity
In 2019, with feedback from Community Health Champions, Central Health embedded a health equity training session into the program curriculum. This class decided to create a health equity projects committee upon completion of the program. Members of this committee prioritized research to support a business case to bring the same or a similar health equity training program to employees across the Central Health System. Since then, Central Health staff go through similar training.
Who should join
If you are committed to improving the health of your community, a resident of Travis County, and interested in learning and growing your knowledge and network in the health care field, we encourage you to apply.
Program benefits
- Network with local health care leaders
- Become an ambassador of Central Health to improve community health
- Gain an up-close look at transforming our health care delivery system
- Foster relationships for future opportunities to collaborate on major health initiatives
Time commitment
- 5 workshops occurring in late August through November from 2:30 - 5 p.m.
- Participants must attend 3/5 workshops to receive a certificate of completion.
- Make-up activities will be available for up to two absences.
- The first workshop will include a *required* health equity training from 12 - 2:30 p.m. Participants must attend the training to complete the program. There will not be a make-up activity for the training.
- Workshops will be held in-person at rotating community locations throughout Travis County, yet TBD
Meet Community Health Champions alumni
Ricardo A. Garay
Ricardo A. Garay currently serves as a Business Process Consultant, Sr. for the City of Austin. Previously, he served as a Program Manager for the Community Engagement and Health Equity team under the Department of Population Health. He also served as a facilitator for Dell Medical School’s Community Strategy Team, in addition to his work as an advocate for Community Health Workers in Central Texas.
Nora de Hoyos Comstock
Nora de Hoyos Comstock, Ph.D., is an entrepreneur, business leader, and pioneer in utilizing social media to build a community for Latinas. Nora believes that education, which translates into hope and opportunity, is the single most important factor that can transform lives.
Maram Museitif
Maram Museitif is a public health and health care professional with more than 10 years of experience working in large research, academic, and government health settings, and has a solid understanding of the challenges facing health care delivery in the United States and globally.
Amit Motwani
Amit Motwani was appointed to the Central Health Board of Managers by Travis County and the City of Austin in November of 2020. His participation in Central Health's Community Health Champions program in 2017 provided him with a thorough understanding of the complexities around providing health care for Travis County residents with low income.
Program curriculum
Workshop I
Introduction to the Central Health System & Health Equity Training
Health Champions will become familiar with the Central Health System, including CommUnityCare Health Centers and Sendero Health Plans. This workshop will also provide a general overview of the MAP & MAP Basic health coverage programs, as well as insight on how to get involved in the Central Health budget development process. Additionally, Health Champions will receive a 3 hour training that helps participants understand how historical and current cultural conditions, policies, and practices link to social inequities which link to health disparities.
Workshop II
Health Equity Plan in Action
Health Champions will learn how Central Health partners with health care providers to ensure a robust network for the Medical Access Program (MAP and MAP Basic) members. This includes learning how Central Health identifies gaps and expands services for Travis County residents with limited income. In addition, Health Champions will learn how Central Health is now providing direct health care services
Workshop III
MAP & MAP Basic + Sendero Health Plans
Health Champions will learn about the process of establishing coverage through Sendero Health Plans and Medical Access Programs (MAP and MAP Basic), as well as the eligibility criteria and benefits for these programs.
Workshop IV
Federally Qualified Health Centers
Health Champions will do a deep dive on federally qualified health centers, with a particular emphasis on CommUnityCare Health Centers and its most recent health equity initiatives.
Workshop V
Community Outreach & Engagement
Health Champions will learn how Central Health works to engage directly with community members and involve residents in the planning, implementation and evaluation of Central Health projects, as well as keeping the community informed on services and health & wellness resources throughout Travis county. Additionally, Health Champions will become familiar with the various ways in which they can stay involved beyond the program and use the information they learned to impact health care equity in their communities.
2025 program schedule
| Workshop I & Health Equity Training | August 28 | 12:00 -5 p.m. |
| Workshop II | September 18 |2:30 -5 p.m. |
| Workshop III | October 9 | 2:30 -5 p.m. |
| Workshop IV | October 30 | 2:30 -5 p.m. |
| Workshop V | November 20 | 2:30 -5 p.m. |
| Annual Celebration | December TBD | 6 -8 p.m. |