Micah Foster takes the helm of GRAAHI
The Grand Rapids African American Health Institute which has been in existence since 2002 announced that Micah Foster has been named their new executive director of the nonprofit which is devoted to achieving healthcare parity for African Americans.
Foster, a trained clinician and former education coordinator for GRAAHI, has assumed the role in the wake of former Executive Director, Shannon Wilson’s departure in December 2018. Wilson led the institute’s work for the last 8 years and helped to elevate the organization as the preeminent advocate for healthcare parity for African Americans in West Michigan. Wilson has taken a new role as Director of Medicaid Outreach & Quality at Priority Health.
“This change of leadership comes as we prepare to take the next steps in the evolution of the institute. We believe Micah will lead us through an exciting stage of growth as we expand our scope of work and deepen our engagement with the community,” said Paul T. Doyle, Chairman of the Board for GRAAHI. “We will support this effort by leveraging our cornerstone research, the Health Equity Index and increasing our advocacy roles at the local and state level.”
Micah Foster holds a master of science degree from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science and a bachelor of science degree from Grand Valley State University.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to expand my role at GRAAHI. The organization is poised to really enhance its vision and build on the tremendous momentum of the past eight years. I look forward to expanding our reach and engagement to help eliminate racial disparities in the healthcare industry,” Foster said. “Look for new initiatives in healthcare education and expansion of our advocacy programming in 2019.”
Together with Foster, Stephanie Pierce, a 12-year veteran of the organization will take on the role of Director of Community Outreach, to support strategic growth in grant funded programming, donor engagement and community events.
More information about GRAAHI can be found at their website www.graahi.org
ABOUT: The Grand Rapids African American Health Institute (GRAAHI) is an independent, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that is funded by numerous entities that are equally committed to its mission.
GRAAHI’s mission is “To promote health care parity in the Grand Rapids African American community through advocacy, education and research to achieve positive health outcomes.” By promoting health care parity or equality, GRAAHI will have an impact on the health disparities that currently exist for African Americans who live in this community.
