Connect and empower child health advocates to drive health equity by positively impacting where children live, learn, and play.
An engaged community where every child has the opportunity to be happy & healthy.
Health equity is reached when every person has the opportunity to achieve their full, healthy potential regardless of socio-economic status, access to resources and/or social capital. Driven by a mission to enhance health equity, especially for underrepresented children and families, the Community Health & Advocacy team collaborates internally with Children’s providers and departments, and externally with key community partners to positively influence the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) that affect long-term health outcomes for children.
Our Team
Children’s Community Health and Advocacy staff work with community leaders, early childhood educators, childcare providers, school systems, health systems, and community partners to help every child reach their full potential. This dedicated team includes:
Megan Connelly, DNP, APRN-NP, CPNP-AC/PC, NE-BC Vice President of Community Pediatrics & Child Health
Jeanee Weiss, MBA, MS, Community Health Strategy Leader
Holly Dingman, MS, RD, Director
Andrea Riley, School Health Liaison, State School Nurse Consultant
Chrissy Tonkinson, MPH, Data and Evaluation Project Manager
Emily Hulse, MS, Community Program Coordinator
Jennifer Patten Benson, MPA, Community Benefit Manager
Jewel Schifferns, MSW, PLMHP, School Social Work Coordinator
Maya Wedlow, MPH, Community Health Project Coordinator
Melissa Walker, MS, Operations Specialist
Rick Helweg, Community Outreach Coordinator
Kim Castellano, Sr. Administrative Assist – Cardiology, Project ADAM Coordinator
Areas of Work
— Community Benefit: Documenting how Children’s makes investments in the community and helps tell the story of impact of those investments.
— Community Health: Making a difference in our community where children live, learn, and play with a focus on community health activities identified as “impact areas” by conducting a Community Health Needs Assessment and facilitating and managing Implementation Strategy Plan process.
— Advocacy: Serving as the voice of children, their families, and the issues impacting their health in the community and compliments Government Affairs & Public Policy Advocacy.
Our Priorities
- Pediatric Mental Wellness
- Financial Stability
- Food Security
- Healthy Housing
Legacy Programs
- Early Childhood
- School Health
Learn more about Programs & Initiatives
Our Location
Nebraska Innovation Campus
2021 Transformation Drive, Suite 1200
Lincoln, NE 68508
(402) 955-6871