Community Engagement Core

The EQUATE Community Engagement Core aims to optimize processes for each project and to encourage the implementation of best practices for engaging with communities and community partners.

Core Leaders

Melissa A. Simon, MD, MPH

Melissa A. Simon, MD, MPH

Vice Chair for Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Director, Institute for Public Health and Medicine – Center for Health Equity Transformation
George H. Gardner, MD, Professor of Clinical Gynecology
Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology (General Obstetrics and Gynecology)/Preventative Medicine
Professor, Medical Social Sciences
Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine

Kimberly D. Harper, MSN, RN, MHA

Kimberly D. Harper, MSN, RN, MHA

Perinatal Neonatal Outreach Coordinator
UNC Collaborative for Maternal & Infant Health
UNC School of Medicine

Janiya M. Williams, MA, IBCLC, RLC, CLC

Janiya M. Williams, MA, IBCLC, RLC, CLC

Program Director, Pathway 2 Human Lactation Training Program
North Carolina A&T SU (NCAT P2P)
Co-Coordinator, Doula Services
Women’s and Children’s Center, Cone Health

Core Members

Kimberly C. Harper, PhD

Kimberly C. Harper, PhD

Associate Professor, Department of English
North Carolina A&T University

Trinita Ashford, MPH

Trinita Ashford, MPH

Executive Director
ConnectionHealth

Holly Horan, PhD

Holly Horan, PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Global and Rural Women’s Health Program
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine