Working Together For Michigan Consumers To be Healthy

Board & Staff

Board of Directors

JO MURPHY, BOARD PRESIDENT

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MICHIGAN MEDICARE/MEDICAID ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (MMAP)

Jo Murphy is the Executive Director of the Michigan Medicare/ Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP). She is a social worker with over 30 years of experience in human services with a specialty in volunteer programs.The Michigan State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)/MMAP funding comes from state and federal grants. MMAP is a 501c3, which provides unbiased, free health benefits counseling at over 200 locations across Michigan.


MADIHA TARIQ, BOARD SECRETARY

MANAGER OF PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS AT ACCESS COMMUNITY HEALTH & RESEARCH CENTER

Madiha Tariq is the Manager of Public Health Programs at the ACCESS Community Health & Research Center and also oversees the Affordable Healthcare Education & Enrollment Initiative which provides assistance to residents of South East Michigan with the health insurance marketplace. Madiha has a Masters in Public Health from George Washington University and specializes in public health services targeting ethnic communities.


VICKI BARNETT

Vicki Barnett is a former member of the Michigan House of Representatives, serving from 2009 to 2015. Vicki Barnett received a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Michigan-Dearborn in 1983, and later received her master’s degree in Business Administration in 1991, also from the University of Michigan-Dearborn. She has worked as an investment consultant at LPL financial in Farmington Hills.


RENEE BRANCH CANADY PHD, MPA

Renee Branch Canady PhD, MPA, serves as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Michigan Public Health Institute (MPHI). In this position she is responsible for setting the strategic direction for MPHI as they strive towards positive health conditions in populations and communities through collaboration, scientific inquiry, and applied expertise. Prior to MPHI, Dr. Canady was appointed Health Officer for the Ingham County Health Department, Michigan’s first public entity local health department and federally qualified health center.


JAN HUDSON, MICHIGAN LEAGUE FOR PUBLIC POLICY

Jan Hudson joined the League in October 2003 after working 30 years for the Department of Human Services (formerly Family Independence Agency and Department of Social Services). Jan’s major responsibilities at the League include healthcare policy analysis and advocacy, and Community Health budget monitoring as well as serving on numerous health-related boards, councils, and coalitions. She has chaired the Medical Care Advisory Council since January 2005.


MARJORIE MITCHELL, MICHIGAN UNIVERSAL CARE ACCESS NETWORK

Marjorie has been a strong advocate for disability rights and universal health care for the past three decades. She became the Executive Director for MICHUCAN in 1992 and has worked tirelessly on increasing access to health insurance for Michigan families.


MARK REINSTEIN

Mark Reinstein, a resident of Ann Arbor, brings 32 years of experience in the mental health policy field. From 1983 to his retirement in 2015, he held various positions with the Mental Health Association in Michigan (MHAM), including 23 years directing its policy efforts and 13 years as its CEO. Mark has received numerous awards for his work with MHAM and remains active on several state task forces and committees related to mental health. He holds a bachelor’s degree from MSU, a master’s from Central Michigan and a doctorate from the University of Michigan.

Staff

ALAN ESSIG
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Alan@consumersforhealthcare.org
Office Phone: 517-485-2130

Alan Essig brings almost 30 years’ experience in non-profit management, communication, coalition building and leadership, as well as, the development and analysis of state public policy. Prior to his recent move to Michigan, Alan was Executive Director of the Georgia Budget + Policy Institute for the past 11 years. Alan has held numerous leadership positions in the Georgia legislative + Executive branch in Georgia.


CHELSEA LEWIS
COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR

Chelsea@consumersforhealthcare.org
Cell: 248-396-5603

Chelsea is a graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in journalism and a focus on political science. Since graduating from MSU in May of 2011, she has been working in the social media and entertainment reporting industry. Along with an extensive background in communication, Chelsea is currently getting her masters at Grand Valley State University. She joined MCH back in December of 2012.


DIZZY WARREN, M.A.
PROGRAM MANAGER, ENROLL MICHIGAN

Dizzy@consumersforhealthcare.org
Cell: 734-272-2583

Dizzy is a nationally recognized outreach professional who oversees the Coalition’s statewide enrollment assister program, called Enroll Michigan, where she works to to build a collaborative outreach, education and enrollment partnership with various stakeholder groups. She was the recipient of the Families USA award as the 2014 Health Equity Coordinator Advocate of the Year. She is the former Executive Director of the National Resource Center for Healing of Racism and former President and CEO of Urban League of Battle Creek. She joined MCH in July 2011.


TIFFANY JONES, M.A.E
COALITION ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR

Tiffany@consumersforhealthcare.org
Office: 517-485-2130

Tiffany has held a variety of positions within her non-profit career including, working with at risk youth, the homeless population, mental health court and as a case manager for an HIV/AIDS agency. Tiffany holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Service Administration from Baker College, as well as a Master’s Degree in Economics from Walsh College.


STEVEN HERNANDEZ
PROJECT DIRECTOR

Steven@consumersforhealthcare.org
Cell: 734-612-8795

Steven Hernandez earned his B.A. in History and Cultural Anthropology from the University of Michigan-Dearborn in 2004 and has worked in the non-profit industry for the past seven years. Steven joined MCH, in June of 2011 and serves as the Project Director for the Michigan Voices for Better Health (MVBH) project.


RYAN SULLIVAN, J.D.
POLICY DIRECTOR

Ryan@consumersforhealthcare.org
Cell: 989-780-3093

Ryan holds a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from the University of Houston and a Master’s degree from the University of Texas. He is former committee clerk and policy analyst in the Texas Legislature (with a strong focus on health care policy) and former fellow at the University of Houston Health, Law & Policy Institute. Ryan joined MCH in December, 2011 and staffs the Coalition’s State Policy Work Group.


KALENA MURPHY
NAVIGATOR SERVICES COORDINATOR (ENROLL MICHIGAN)

Kalena@consumersforhealthcare.org
Cell: 517-512-3141

Kalena Murphy is a passionate health advocate. She joined Michigan Consumers for Healthcare as the Navigator Services Coordinator in 2013. Kalena supports, promotes and develops outreach, education, and enrollment for the Enroll Michigan program. In addition, she provides technical assistance to local community-based organizations and navigators within the state of Michigan. As a Certified Navigator, she also assists Enroll Michigan customers with information and services that help guide them through the healthcare coverage application process. She is the former Program Coordinator at the Grand Rapids African American Health Institute. Kalena is a native of West Bloomfield, Michigan. She is a graduate of Grand Valley State University with a degree in Biomedical Science.


CAROL SOUZA
PROJECT ASSISTANT (ENROLL MICHIGAN)

Carol@consumersforhealthcare.org
Office: 517-367-7293

Carol was born in Lansing and has lived here most of her life. Most of Carol’s career has involved providing administrative support in health-related industries, including the West Virginia University Dept. of Surgery, St. Lawrence Hospital in Lansing, and most recently, working with public health practitioners throughout the state. Carol joined Enroll Michigan as the Project Assistant in 2013 and is very excited to have a role in helping people find affordable health insurance.


KRISTI PUNG
MID-MICHIGAN NAVIGATOR COORDINATOR (ENROLL MICHIGAN)

Kristi@consumersforhealthcare.org
Office: 517-367-7293

Kristi joined Michigan Consumers for Healthcare in November 2014 as the Mid-Michigan Navigator Coordinator. She coordinates outreach, education, and enrollment for specialty populations including LGBT-Q, Hispanic/Latinos and Native Americans. Previously, Kristi has worked as a Family First Worker in Ingham County and as a Foster Care Licensing Specialist. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Central Michigan University.