Neighborcare Health Invests in Developing Community Engagement Capacity, Welcomes Candace Jackson as first Chief of Community Engagement
SEATTLE, WA—April 25, 2024
Neighborcare Health, a beacon of community-centered healthcare and an advocate for health equity, proudly announces the appointment of Candace Jackson as its inaugural Chief of Community Engagement. Concurrently serving as Executive Director of the Neighborcare Health Foundation, Jackson will spearhead strategic initiatives aimed at fortifying partnerships, advancing grants and fundraising efforts, shaping policy, and enhancing communication strategies.
“With Candace as our new leader in community engagement, Neighborcare Health will accelerate our goals of actively listening to community voices, working in partnership to understand what is needed, and designing responsive solutions to deliver whole-person care,” said Neighborcare Health CEO, Rashad A. Collins.
Bringing a wealth of experience in forging meaningful and productive collaborations, Jackson champions a vision of inclusive and equitable healthcare. Prior to joining Neighborcare Health, Jackson served as the Director of Health Justice at Pyramid Communications where she played a pivotal role in initiatives such as the Black Future Co-op Fund’s Black Well-being Report. With over a decade of experience leading initiatives at Public Health – Seattle & King County, Jackson has demonstrated a fierce commitment to holistic well-being.
"Candace's appointment marks a significant milestone in Neighborcare Health’s journey toward inclusive, high-quality healthcare," remarked Collins. "Her proven track record in community engagement and dedication to health equity align seamlessly with our mission to provide comprehensive care that responds sensitively to the needs of our diverse patients and communities."
In her new capacity, Jackson will closely collaborate with staff and community partners to advance the organization’s commitment to delivering whole-person care, working to shift the conditions that create inequities. “I am honored to join the Neighborcare Health team to contribute to inclusive, high-quality healthcare and drive tangible change with the communities we serve,” expressed Jackson. “Together, we will build upon Neighborcare Health’s legacy, rooted in the civil rights movement, as we strive for one hundred percent access and zero health disparities. We are doing, not just talking about, health equity.”
For nearly 56 years, Neighborcare Health has been at the forefront of delivering comprehensive health care to underserved communities, including low-income, the uninsured, underinsured patients, and those experiencing homelessness. Through a network of over 30 medical, dental and school-based health clinics mostly in Seattle, and in Olympia and on Vashon Island, they offer medical, dental, behavioral health, social work, pregnancy care, health education, nutrition services, and more. Neighborcare Health remains steadfast in its commitment to providing accessible, culturally responsive care to all, regardless of their ability to pay.
