In November 2022, HRSA supported the #VaxUpAmerica Family Tour, announced a new COVID-19 vaccine initiative, celebrated National Rural Health Day, congratulated Associate Administrator Jim Macrae on receiving the 2022 Presidential Rank Award, and highlighted innovative approaches to expanding care to people with HIV.
Recent HRSA Highlights
#VaxUpAmerica Family Tour
Feast of Sharing
HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson joined Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser, DC Councilmember Robert C. White, Jr., and Dr. Jessica Henderson Boyd, CEO of HRSA-supported Health Center Unity Health Care, at the District of Columbia Convention Center for the 2022 Feast of Sharing. Partner organizations from across the District came together to distribute turkey dinner to community members in need while providing onsite vaccinations for COVID-19.
HRSA-supported Community-based Organizations COVID Vaccine Outreach
HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson joined HRSA grantee the Institute for Public Health Innovation and their community health worker team at a community outreach event to encourage COVID-19 vaccination. The Institute for Public Health Innovation is one of HRSA’s many community-based grantees working to build vaccine confidence and increase COVID-19 vaccinations in some of the highest risk and hardest hit communities around the country.
HRSA Celebrates National Rural Health Day
HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson participated in a HRSA-sponsored panel moderated by Special Assistant to President Biden Catherine Oakar to mark National Rural Health Day. Other participants included Director of Indian Health Services Roselyn Tso, Director of the Agency for Health Research and Quality Dr. Robert Valdez, and Chief of Staff of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Sonia Chessen. The panel highlighted innovative ways HRSA rural grantees are expanding access to substance use disorder services and increasing access to maternal health and other vital care. Learn more about HRSA’s Fiscal Year 2022 Rural Investments (PDF - 204 KB).
HRSA Announces New $350 Million Initiative to Increase COVID-19 Vaccinations
HRSA is playing a pivotal role in the White House effort to get more Americans vaccinated. The White House recently announced a new $350 million initiative for HRSA to support health centers in increasing COVID-19 vaccines in their communities. Funding will support health centers administering updated COVID-19 vaccines through mobile, drive-up, walk-up, or community-based vaccination events, including working with community-based organizations, and other efforts to increase the administration of COVID-19 vaccines.
HRSA Highlights Innovative New Approaches for Expanding Care and Treatment for People with HIV
HRSA highlighted a series of innovative new approaches to expand care and treatment for people with HIV in fiscal year 2022 through approximately $2.3 billion in Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program awards to cities, counties, states, and local community-based organizations to provide life-saving care, treatment, and support services for over half a million people with HIV in the United States.
Associate Administrator Jim Macrae Selected as 2022 Presidential Rank Award Winner
Bureau of Primacy Health Care Associate Administrator Jim Macrae was selected for the 2022 Presidential Rank Award for Distinguished Service, the highest recognition in the Senior Executive Service. As head of the Bureau of Primary Health Care since 2006, Associate Administrator Macrae manages the Health Center Program, which supports nearly 1,400 health centers that operate approximately 14,000 service delivery sites and provide high-quality primary health care to more than 30 million people.
Celebrating Public Service: Dorothy “Dot” Kelley
As part of HRSA’s annual Honors Program, this year we had the pleasure of recognizing HRSA’s Dorothy “Dot” Kelley for her 50 years of service to the nation through her work in the federal government. Dot is a vital part of the HRSA community, and her work is essential to HRSA’s grantmaking. Congratulations and many thanks to Dot for her service.
News From the Regions
#VaxUpAmerica Family Vaccine Tour: Pediatric Vaccine Roundtable at Georgia Health Center
HRSA Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs Region 4 Atlanta's Rosie Mangual joined Congresswoman Carolyn Bordeaux at the HRSA-funded Four Corners Primary Care Center for a roundtable discussion on vaccination as part of the HHS #VaxUpAmerica Family Vaccine Tour. Health center staff and patients discussed community outreach and education in diverse settings, literacy barriers, and collaboration with trusted community partners to increase vaccination.
Conversations on Maternal Health with Community-based Doulas in Utah
Saray Amundson of HRSA’s regional team convened community-based doulas to discuss the importance of doulas and midwives to improve maternal health. Participants included Evelyn Santos, Carolina Barra, and Mayra Sanchez of Comunidad Materna Doula; Shasta Hardman, a doula with Healing Moon Phases; Lily Griego, HHS Regional Director; and Saray Amundson, from HRSA.
HRSA Joins Community Partners in Chicago Community Baby Shower
Curtizia Alexander of HRSA’s regional team joined Hustle Mommies, Urban Mom Collective, and the HHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships to provide maternal health information, health care resources, and essential baby items to the community.
Building Partnerships with State Health Workforce Boards
HRSA is forging new relationships with workforce boards across the country to meet HRSA's mission to improve health outcomes and achieve health equity through a skilled health workforce. Recently, Deputy Regional Administrator Rob McKenna and Region 3 staff met with the State Workforce Boards of Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania to discuss HRSA’s workforce-related investments. Pictured below is Rob McKenna with the Executive Director of the Delaware Workforce Development Board, Joanna Staib.
Tribal Behavioral Health Summit
HRSA’s Kansas City team hosted the Region 7 Tribal Behavioral Health Summit – Moving Towards Healing, bringing together all nine Region 7 Tribes to discuss behavioral health issues among Native communities. Keynote speaker Theda New Breast (below) from the Native Wellness Institute highlighted loss, grief, trauma, and healing within Native communities.
Meetings with Mississippi State Health Leaders
HRSA Regional Administrator Natalie Brevard Perry met with Mississippi state health leaders and HRSA-funded health center CEOs on workforce issues, opportunities to integrate substance use and mental health treatment with primary care, and maternal health care.
