Sept. 24, 2010, Grand Rapids, MI—Spectrum Health Healthier Communities sponsored the Third Annual Community Health Workers Conference: CHWs Incorporating Healthy Life Changes into Their Communities. Topics included continued education, surviving in this tough economy, CHWs as social entrepreneurs and how to raise healthy kids. The keynote speaker, Lisa Renee Holderby, a 20-year seasoned CHW from Boston, Massachusetts, spoke about the core values that define the profession. She also presented opportunities and challenges for workers who are interested in further developing their careers and knowledge base as the field grows in the city and state.

Ms. Holderby has been instrumental in the development and implementation of the Massachusetts Association of Community Health Workers. As the first CHW in the nation to be employed full time as an executive director, she brings a breadth of experience in organizing CHWs tor the advancement of the profession. Attendees appeared motivated and willing to embrace the challenges of self-organizing and planning necessary to bring a new CHW association to Grand Rapids and the West Michigan region. Plans are underway to build a citywide network database for CHWs—formal meetings and focus groups will follow. Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit integrated health care system dedicated to improving the health of the communities it serves.

For further information, contact Graciela Cadena at graciela.cadena@spectrum-health.org.