Nationwide, academic health centers have been using their expertise and resources to transform the health of area neighborhoods. At UF Health Jacksonville, the Urban Health Alliance of Jacksonville will serve as a vehicle to improve the health of this community.

The alliance will act as a convener to establish and maintain equitable, impactful and sustainable partnerships with community stakeholders. While it aims to improve the health of all of Jacksonville and surrounding areas, the initial focus is on the immediate communities surrounding our downtown campus, located in Health Zone 1.

The alliance’s leadership team has strong expertise in a variety of fields tied to community engagement. Lori Bilello, Ph.D., M.B.A., M.H.S., is nationally known for community-based health program planning and development work and has evaluated community-based programs for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Humana Foundation and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Bill Livingood, Ph.D., is an expert in implementation science and has been a leader in public health for many years. Meanwhile, areas of expertise for Fern Webb, Ph.D., include epidemiology, community organizational capacity building and community health worker models. Our team has been rounded out by the addition of Ann-Marie Knight, vice president of community engagement and chief diversity officer for UF Health Jacksonville.

The Urban Health Alliance of Jacksonville is well on its way to becoming an important collaborator for those interested in improving community health. We have developed strong relationships with several external stakeholders, including the Jacksonville Housing Authority, the United Way and Mayo Clinic. In addition, our team has already successfully secured funding from private foundations and the Florida Blue Foundation for several projects to improve the health of those in Health Zone 1.

Email ross.jones@jax.ufl.edu if you want more information or would like to get involved.