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In This Issue:
Abigail Ortiz, MSW, MPH, spends her time engaging Boston-area teens and other community members in eye-opening conversations, often centered around health equity and social determinants of health.
Ortiz, who began working at Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center (SJPHC) almost nine years ago, was recently promoted from manager to director of Community Health Programs.
Ortiz's background is working with homeless youth. Since coming to SJPHC, she has worked with young community members on programming including the Racial Healing and Reconciliation Project, the Jamaica Plain Youth Health Equity Collaborative and the Health Careers Ambassadors Program.
As former programs manager, Ortiz also coordinated day-to-day logistics and activities - including yoga and Zumba classes - at SJPHC's Health Promotion Center.
"We really try to do what we can in terms of ‘whole person' care," said Ortiz. "We honor where people are coming from."
Ortiz is looking forward to becoming more of a liaison between SJPHC and community members in her new role. She seeks to tighten the connection between SJPHC's public health mission and the day-to-day happenings at the health center.
One of the most important things she has learned at SJPHC so far is the role young people play in community health and health equity work.
"As hospitals and health care organizations, we have an obligation to hire and mentor the next generation," Ortiz said.