Jiana Calixto (pronouns – she/her) is the Director of Community Health & Engagement at Equal Hope. Jiana’s responsibilities at Equal Hope includes reviewing process of operations for outreach and navigation efforts, grant management and budgetary oversight over community health initiatives. As 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.
Jiana has over ten 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 FQHC’s, collaborating with specialist, 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 at Chicago in 2015, concentrating in community health sciences and global health studies, and earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champagne in 2013, concentrating in community health sciences. Born and raised in the Humboldt Park community of Chicago, Jiana is enthusiastic to have moved back from San Diego after five years to continue her public health career as a fellow advocate.