By McClain Bryant Macklin on July 23, 2020
Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives
Health Forward Foundation
I was taught at an early age that I owe a debt to my community. Both of my parents made a living by improving the lives of others. I have always been driven by a desire to make them, my community, and my ancestors proud. And it is that desire that calls me to policy work. […]
By Brenda Calvin on June 16, 2020
Program Officer
Health Forward Foundation
I’m not sure if it is good or bad that I was surprised by the call for a blog to reflect on my 10 years at Health Forward, or that I had to be reminded of my actual anniversary date. It is ironic that 10 years has gone by so quickly while 2020 has felt […]
By Health Forward Blog Team on May 14, 2020
Sometimes the best response is silence. That’s the approach we have taken on our blog since the onset of the pandemic. In mid-March, we suspended posting anything not related to timely COVID-19 and policy-related communications. Normally, our blog features a healthy mixture of posts from grantees, community partners, and our associates. It’s May so our […]
By Cori Stites on March 5, 2020
Program Associate
Health Forward Foundation
We recently celebrated Karen Guile’s 15th anniversary with Health Forward! Karen was the fifth employee to join the team of the fledgling foundation, and she has been part of so many changes through the years. In her words, “We’ve come a loooooooooong way!” From her perspective, one of the biggest changes is related to technology—specifically […]
By Donna Bushur on February 6, 2020
Program Officer
Health Forward Foundation
Last week I celebrated my fifth year as a program officer with Health Forward Foundation, and my 25th year working full time in the social service area. Though my professional background is filled with a variety of positions from direct service to management, none have been more important to me than my current role. I […]
By Qiana Thomason on January 24, 2020
President/CEO
Health Forward Foundation
I am filled with great humility, purpose, and elation to begin this next chapter as president/CEO of Health Forward Foundation. I can’t imagine a finer organization to lead. Because of my own experience as a former uninsured patient and then later an administrator within the Kansas City safety-net system, I am embracing this leadership opportunity […]
By Tania Hewett-Mader on January 9, 2020
Policy Associate
Health Forward Foundation
Happy New Year! While January is just like every other month, I can’t help but to enter each year with a sense of new beginnings. It feels particularly true this year, with the announcement of Qiana Thomason as our new president and CEO, and the approval of $1 million in Policy and Civic Engagement Grants […]
By Health Forward Blog Team on January 2, 2020
As we all file back to work in the new decade, we pause to celebrate a time-honored tradition here at Health Forward by recapping highlights from the previous year. Here’s how we spent some of 2019: Honoring Bridget McCandless’ service to Health Forward Foundation Dr. Bridget McCandless announced her retirement as Health Forward President/CEO in […]
By Bridget McCandless, MD on October 9, 2019
President and CEO
Health Forward Foundation
This week is my last as president/CEO of Health Forward Foundation. While my commitment to the mission of Health Forward will continue to be a guiding force in my life, this marks the formal end of what has been a 15-year relationship with this foundation, first as an inaugural board member, then a grantee, and […]
By Health Forward Blog Team on September 19, 2019
Circumstances beyond a child’s control can shape his or her destiny, for better or worse, far into the future. That’s why helping children avert a cascade of lifelong problems triggered by early adverse experiences is central to two area programs funded by Health Forward Foundation. Known as Promise 1000 and Healthy Kids Bright Futures, the […]
