PRESS RELEASE: HCAN CEO Departing for New Role 

Health Care Access Now (HCAN) CEO Sarah Mills is leaving HCAN to take on a new role at Partnerships for Advancing Community Health (PACH). 

• Mills’ last day is September 27, 2024 
• In her new role, she will serve as Executive Director of Partnerships for Advancing Community Health (PACH)
• Jeremy Brown, VP at Talbert House will serve as the interim Executive Director (of HCAN) during the transition

HCAN is dedicated to promoting health equity by addressing the social determinants of health. Through its network of Community Health Workers (CHWs), the organization has been integral to connecting underserved communities to resources.

Health Care Access Now (HCAN) announced that CEO Sarah Mills will step down effective September 27, 2024. During her tenure, the organization has experienced significant growth and expanded its work to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations in the Greater Cincinnati region. Under Mills’ leadership, HCAN has continued a culture of innovation, established a development  program, improved services, and increased the number of clients served through the COVID-19 pandemic—-and beyond. 

Mills states that “working with such a talented and hardworking team of colleagues who are laser focused on improving the health of our community has been the honor and privilege of a lifetime. I truly look forward to seeing how HCAN continues to progress it’s mission”.

HCAN’s mission is to advocate, educate, and support individuals in our region by utilizing the expertise of Certified Community Health Workers (CHWs) to deliver coordinated services and resources. One way the mission is being fulfilled is through the CHW Certification and Continuing Education Program, which provides essential training and professional development to CHWs. Through the approved 15-week training program CHWs learn the skills to provide community-based care coordination to those most at risk for poor health outcomes.

[Learn More: What is a Community Health Worker?]

HCAN also serves as a hub for partner agencies that employ CHWs. The Pathways Community HUB Institute Model (PCHI Model) is an evidence-based system that CHWs use in their care coordination, assessing and remediating program participants’ needs. HCAN is the PCHI Model regional director. 

During this leadership transition, Jeremy Brown, Vice President of Talbert House, will serve as Interim Executive Director of HCAN. Talbert House empowers children, adults, and families to live healthy, safe, and productive lives. Through an affiliate agreement, Talbert House will provide administrative and back-office support to HCAN. This partnership allows both organizations to work closely to meet the needs of the community and ensure the continued success of HCAN’s programs and services.

In her new role, Mills will serve as Executive Director of Partnerships for Advancing Community Health (PACH). PACH, a newly formed organization with member agencies across the state of Ohio, organizes impactful community-based partnerships that empower Community Health Workers to advocate, advance, and promote interdisciplinary approaches to improve social drivers of health and health outcomes.