Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck announced the appointment of a 15-member Illinois Community Health Worker (CHW) Advisory Board. Recently selected by Governor Pat Quinn, the board will advise the Governor, IDPH and the legislature on all matters impacting the effective work of CHWs across the state, including the training and certification processes. Signed into law in August of 2014, the CHW Advisory Board is composed of eight CHWs from across the state. Some of the Board members include:

Teresa Berumen (CHW)
Community Health Promoter, Enlace Chicago

Christopher Garcia (CHW)
Advocate/Benefits Case Manager, Champaign County Health Care Consumers

Melissa Gutierrez Kapheim, MS
Project Director/Epidemiologist 2, Sinai Urban Health Institute

Estela Lazo (CHW)
Outreach Specialist, Will County Health Dept

Lizette Martinez (CHW)
Peers for Progress Coordinator, Alivio Medical Center