This month, Andrea Perdomo-Morales steps into a new role as Chief Health Equity Officer for Vibrant Health. Throughout her three years with Vibrant Health, she has led clinical and community outreach programming with a sharp focus on increasing access and equity for Vibrant Health patients and the surrounding community. Since early 2020, Perdomo-Morales has been essential in driving the success of Vibrant Health’s community-based strategy for COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and engagement.
This position will set direction and establish strategy for advancing health equity in the community—integrating cultural humility and trauma-informed care practices into population health initiatives and community partnerships. This role also serves an important purpose leading all collaborative efforts with the broader nonprofit and safety net community, advancing equity in access and quality of care for everyone in our community. Internally, this position will provide accountability for Vibrant Health policies and initiatives, ensuring that they help foster health and racial equity for our staff and patients and the evolution of a culture focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB).
“To me, health equity means universal access to opportunities, regardless of identity, background, or socio-economic status. Working in healthcare, I have seen that health equity requires meeting individuals where they are rather than a one-size-fits-all approach to care. We must view and implement our work through several lenses, including trauma-informed care, diversity equity and inclusion, and cultural competency. In this role, I am working to ensure that these lenses are not blurred as we continue our path toward health equity.”
– Andrea Perdomo-Morales, Chief Health Equity Officer
At the core of Vibrant Health’s work is a commitment to improving access to high-quality, culturally competent care. With Wyandotte County ranking in the lowest percentile for health outcomes in the state of Kansas, it’s clear that meaningful investment in health equity is vital to improving the long-term health of the community.
“This new role within our leadership team marks an important investment in equity for our patients, community, and clinical staff—providing essential accountability and ensuring alignment between our daily work and our goal of health equity.”
– Patrick Sallee, Chief Executive Officer
“We have a responsibility as a part of this community to keep health equity at the forefront of decisions we make. A lack of focus on the disparities impacting our community can contribute to the continued marginalization of our patients and neighbors—reinforcing a scarcity of opportunities and resources, and keeping individuals from reaching their full potential.”
– Andrea Perdomo-Morales, Chief Health Equity Officer
As Vibrant Health continues to grow in the years to come, the work of the Chief Health Equity Officer will play a crucial role in amplifying the voices and experience of the community—ensuring that our work remains focused on advancing health equity for those we serve.