WVON Dr. in the House with Dr. Terry Mason

Breast Cancer Awareness and Hope Leaders

Jiana Calixto, MPH

Director of Community Health and Engagement

Equal Hope

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Jiana Calixto (pronouns – she/her) is the Director of Community Health and Engagement at Equal Hope. Calixto’s responsibilities at Equal Hope include reviewing the process of operations for outreach and navigation efforts, grant management, and budgetary oversight of community health initiatives, ss well as maintaining and developing strong partnerships with local hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Patient-Centered Medical Homes (PCMH), community-based organizations, and stakeholders. In addition, she provides leadership for the community health team and Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, contributing to Equal Hope’s pillars of equal access, equal care, and an equal voice.

She has over 10 years of experience as a public health care professional, skilled in interpersonal and public communication among culturally diverse populations. She has a passion for promoting and administering preventative health care services and encouraging program participation. She has extensive experience in patient care coordination for Federally Qualified Health Centers, collaborating with specialists, health plans, and primary care providers to facilitate optimal access to care. She graduated with her Master of Public Health from the University of Illinois Chicago in 2015, concentrating in community health sciences and global health studies, and earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2013, concentrating in community health sciences. Born and raised in the Humboldt Park community of Chicago, Calixto is enthusiastic to have moved back from San Diego after five years to continue her public health career as a fellow advocate.