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The addition of Smith
expands the reach of the Commission on Minority Health.
Smith is taking over the duties previously performed by
Dennis Hicks, who has now become the coordinator for
Community Engagement, working with community-based partners
in addressing social determinants of health disparities and
utilizing social determinants data to help encourage and
inform policy-related discussions on health disparities.
In her past position Smith
was responsible for developing and implementing programs
that used a multidisciplinary approach to diminish the
effect of racial disparities on pregnancy and birth outcomes
with a special emphasis on: prevention, identification and
appropriate referral of substance exposed newborns, and
evidence-based home visiting for maternal support, as well
as the Lucas County Initiative to improve birth outcomes.
Other responsibilities included hiring, training and
supervision of the multi-disciplinary team.
As the coordinator for the
Commission of Minority Health, Smith will undertake a broad
range of activities including data collection and reporting;
health education and promotion; mobilizing and empowering
community partners and developing policies and plans to
support health efforts.
“How awesome is it to wake
up in the morning and go to a career doing what you are
passionate about!” said Smith. “One of my passions is to
address health disparities in the minority community, with a
special emphasis in the African-American community. The
goal of the Office on Minority Health is to eliminate all
health disparities. The part of my new job that I am most
excited is advocating for policy decisions as well as
helping plan for services that improve health outcomes for
all people of color.
“I consider myself a
tireless advocate for those that cannot advocate for
themselves. Mostly that consists of our communities poor
and underserved. It is also my hope and prayer that I
inspire others to action to assist in eliminating health
disparities. I currently serve on several community and
state-wide committees in spite of the extra commitment and
hours this requires. I actively participate always sharing
my knowledge of the African American community through
personal and professional experience with knowledge from
many years of working with populations at highest risk for
poor mental, physical, and social health.”
Smith serves on the Ohio
Collaborative to Prevent Infant Mortality (OCPIM). She
co-chairs the Race and Disparities work group with Jay Iams,
Ph.D, from The Ohio State University. She is an active
member of the March of Dimes – both state and local Program
Selection Committees – to name a few. Recently, she was
appointed co-leader of the Ohio Equity Institute.
In conclusion, Celeste
Smith has long been a recognized advocate and health care
leader within the Mercy Health system and the Toledo
community proactively reaching out and serving the at risk
and underserved and connecting them to needed resources, and
inspiring others to do the same. She is honored and
thrilled, she said, to continue this much needed work at the
Toledo/Lucas County Health Department working in the Office
of Minority Health. |
