Eliminating Health Disparities: C.H.E.F.® Elects Sheryl Lowe to Board

Seattle-based Comprehensive Health Education Foundation (http://www.chef.org) elected Sheryl Lowe to its Board of Directors. Lowe is Executive Director of the American Indian Health Commission for Washington State, a nonprofit organization focused on eliminating health disparities experienced by American Indians and Alaska Natives in Washington State.

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) May 21, 2009 -- Comprehensive Health Education Foundation (http://www.chef.org) (C.H.E.F.®) announced that it has elected Sheryl Lowe to its Board of Directors. Lowe is the Executive Director of the American Indian Health Commission (AIHC) for Washington State, a nonprofit organization focused on eliminating the significant health disparities experienced by American Indians and Alaska Natives in Washington State. As a highly experienced and committed leader with a passion for eliminating health inequities, Lowe brings valued perspective and expertise to the C.H.E.F. (http://www.chef.org) Board.

Lowe is a Jamestown S'Klallam / Bella Coola Tribal descendant who has been working on behalf of Tribal governments and Indian people for over twenty-five years. Since assuming leadership of AIHC in 2008, she has helped shape and direct its development and growth as a forum for twenty-six tribes and two major Urban Indian Health Organizations to participate in formulating state health policy and having full access to Washington State health programs and funding.

Prior to joining AIHC, Lowe held several leadership positions in Washington State. In 2007, she was selected to participate in an intensive, year-long National Rural Health Fellows Program to train leaders in creating and articulating a clear and compelling vision for rural America. In 2003, Lowe convened six local agencies to establish CARE Partnership (Community Advocates for Rural Elders), during which time she was responsible for writing and receiving a five-year, $950,000 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant to fundamentally change the long-term care and aging service delivery system through local collaboration. Earlier in her career, Lowe served for ten years as the Planning Director for a four-county Area Agency on Aging. Prior to that, she was employed for fourteen years by her own tribe, Jamestown S'Klallam, in a variety of positions. Lowe received her undergraduate degree in Business Administration and Native American Studies and has been working her Master's degree in Public Administration - Tribal Governance from The Evergreen State College.

Larry Clark, C.H.E.F.'s President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are thrilled to welcome Sheryl to our Board for the leadership and depth of expertise she brings on behalf of Tribal governments and Indian people in Washington State and across the country. Her dedication and commitment to helping eliminate health inequities through public policy and advocacy is perfectly aligned with our focus at C.H.E.F., and we look forward to advancing the impact of our mission-focused work through Sheryl's contributions."

"It is a real pleasure to serve on C.H.E.F.'s Board because I have a great deal of respect and admiration for the organization and the contributions they're making in eliminating health disparities," said Sheryl Lowe. "With our mutual dedication to improving the health of underserved people throughout Washington State, I am confident that we will continue to make a positive difference in the lives of many."

About Comprehensive Health Education Foundation

Founded in 1974, Seattle-based Comprehensive Health Education Foundation (C.H.E.F.®) is a nationally known nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote health and quality of life through education. With a long history of innovation in bringing better health to individuals and communities, C.H.E.F.'s efforts today focus on eliminating health inequities through a powerful combination of advocacy, education, grant-making, partnerships, and consulting. Whether assisting organizations in becoming more effective advocates for change, or providing consulting to help organizations build their capacity to better deliver services and become more sustainable, C.H.E.F. brings together foundations, government, nonprofits, and coalitions to create a social movement to eliminate health inequities. For information about C.H.E.F. and MissionWise, please visit www.chef.org and www.missionwise.org or call 1.800.323.2433.

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