Women's commission nominees share ideas to improve healthcare
Nominees to the Cuyahoga County Women’s Health Commission discussed a need for advocacy and reducing barriers to healthcare. Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Roynanye nominated nine women to the Cuyahog County Women’s Health Commission to advise on strategies to improve quality of life for women and girls in Northeast Ohio. The nominees include Dr. Lauren Beene, Tenille Kaus, Kim Thomas, Heather Brissett, Emily Campbell, and Laurel Domanski Diaz. The commission was created after Cleveland was ranked one of the worst places for Black women to live by a 2020 City Lab Livable Index study. Council Member Nickerson suggested advocating for patient-centered care at hospitals and healthcare facilities in the region, and for an empowered dialogue about women's health. The county also announced a new Justice and Health Equity Officer, LaurelDomanski Diaz, who will lead initiatives aimed at addressing disparities in access to justice and healthcare services.
Published : a month ago by Candice Wilder in Health
Nominees to the Cuyahoga County Women’s Health Commission discussed a need for advocacy and reducing barriers to healthcare during Tuesday’s meeting of Cleveland County Council’s Human Resources, Appointments & Equity Committee.
Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Roynanye nominated nine women at the end of March to advise on strategies to improve the quality of life for women and girls in Northeast Ohio. The women selected include doctors, city officials, nonprofit leaders and advocates.
The nominees for the women’s health commission are:
• Dr. Lauren Beene, co-founder and director of Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights and a pediatric physician with University Hospitals.
• Tenille Kaus, director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Advancement at the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cleveland.
• Kim Thomas, mayor of the City of Richmond Heights.
• Heather Brissett, vice president of Community Wellness and chief program officer for the Murtis Taylor Human Services System.
• Emily Campbell, president and CEO of the Center for Community Solutions.
The county created the commission after Cleveland was ranked one of the worst places for Black women to live by a 2020 City Lab Livable Index study.
Cuyahoga County Council passed legislation in November 2023 to create the group to advise the county executive on policies that will help improve racial disparities and healthcare issues for women living in Northeast Ohio.
Council Member Nickerson said some of the first issues she would like to see the commission work on involve advocating for patient-centered care at hospitals and healthcare facilities in the region.
“Patients need to be listened to, too,” Nickerson said. “We need to listen to their care concerns, their concerns about needs being unmet and just a better understanding of diagnosis and prevention.”
Long shared the work her organization does to combat infant mortality. She said that it was through her own experience of going to doctor visits that she first realized how necessary it is to have honest conversations and spaces about women’s health.
“We need to make sure that people feel empowered to ask about their healthcare,” Long said. “It is why so many women are choosing not to seek care.”
The county also announced a new Justice and Health Equity Officer, Laurel Domanski Diaz. Diaz will lead initiatives aimed at addressing disparities in access to justice and healthcare services, including a direct role in the creation of the county’s Central Services Campus in Garfield Heights. Diaz will start her position on April 15.
“Her experience and passion for social justice and healthcare make her an ideal candidate to lead our efforts in addressing disparities in justice outcomes and promoting health equity in Cuyahoga County,” said Ronayne.
The county said the commission plans to hold its first meeting in May.