Office of Health Disparities & Health Equity

Improving Health Outcomes for Culturally Diverse Populations in Nebraska

Minority Health Council

The Nebraska Minority Health Council provides advice and guidance to the Office. The Council consists of 18 members who represent Nebraska's racial/ethnic minorities, consumers, providers, advocates, and the geographic regions of the State.

Members are appointed by the Director of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Meetings are hosted on a quarterly basis, or more often if needed.

The Council's Purpose:

  • Give attention to reducing the gap in health status between minorities and non-minorities.
  • Ensure the development of policies, programs, quality assurance, and implementation strategies which are designed to significantly impact the morbidity, mortality, and disability rates of minorities.
  • Encourage collaboration among State and local public health departments and community-based agencies.
  • Promote working with existing programs in order to make the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services more culturally competent.
  • Provide input in setting funding priorities that will address problems identified through needs assessments and community input.
  • Ensure assistance to communities, agencies, and organizations in identifying minority needs and the appropriate resources to address them.

If you are interested in being part of the Minority Health Council, please send your name, company name, address, telephone number, and email address to the Office of Health Disparities and Health Equity, PO Box 95026, Lincoln, NE 68509-5026 or email minority.health@nebraska.gov.

Minority Health Council Members:

Janelle Ali-Dinar

 Regional Director of Rural Health, Catholic Charities Initiatives of Nebraska

Anderson, Teresa

 Executive Director, Central District Health Department
A'Jamal Rashad Byndon Community Advocate, Table Top
Anne Yu Buettner  Marriage & Family Therapist, Mental Health Practitioner

Charlotte Burke

Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department

Janie Fralin - Secretary

Joel Gajardo

Health Service Program Director, Blue Valley Community Action

Community Advocate

Kristin Gall Community Health Nurse, DHHS Refugee Settlement
Blanca Lopez  Community Advocate
Sondra Manske - Vice Chairman Beatrice State Developmental Center
Kathleen Rieb Health Program Administrator, Ponca Tribe of Nebraska
Alfonzo Shade - Chairman Government Program Outreach, Coventry of Nebraska
Louie Sheridan Jr. Health Director, Omaha Tribe of Nebraska
Jose Soto Vice President for Access/Equity/Diversity, Southeast Community College
Arturo Spindola Executive Director, Latino American Commission
Brenda Thompson UNMC College of Public Health

Contact Us:
Office of Health Disparities & Health Equity
PO Box 95026
Lincoln, NE 68509-5026
(402) 471-0152                                                                                  
dhhs.minorityhealth@nebraska.gov

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Office of Health Disparities & Health Equity