Author: Shaunessy Lofton, MPH

Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, Shaunessy Lofton has called Wendell, NC home for the past two years. In her role at Partners In Health US, Shaunessy supports the NC Community Health Worker (CHW) Initiative, where she assists partners such as the NC Department of Health and Human Services and the NC Community Health Worker Association in various capacities to develop, implement, and monitor CHW workforce integration and sustainability efforts. Shaunessy played a pivotal role in the co-creation and launching of the Equitable Health Leadership Pathways Program with a local 501(c)(3) organization, spearheading the research, development, and initial implementation phases. The program empowered BIPOC students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions, facilitating their journey into health leadership roles. Shaunessy, a first-generation individual in many of her accomplishments, deeply values initiatives that uplift marginalized communities, recognizing the significance of creating pathways for prosperity. Throughout her career in public health, co-authored a toolkit designed to assist NC primary care practices in effectively integrating and optimizing the role of CHWs within their clinical settings. Shaunessy eagerly looks forward to engaging with the GHC network, viewing the fellowship as a “catalyst to leverage my passion, skills, and dedication towards effecting positive change in global health, contributing to a more equitable world for all.”