The purpose of National Community Health Worker Awareness Week is to acknowledge community health workers (CHWs), while recognizing and elevating their contributions to health equity, strengthening community partnerships, and improving patient outcomes.
The team held events throughout the week to demonstrate the critical role CHWs play in supporting patients and strengthening communities.
Voices of Health Kickoff Ceremony
More than 50 leaders and attendees gathered for the Voices of Health Kickoff Ceremony, including Valerie A. Arkoosh, MD, MPH, Secretary, PA Department of Human Services; Kristen Rodack, MSW, LSW, Executive Deputy Secretary, PA Department of Health; Judith L. Schwank, Pennsylvania Senator; and Johanny Cepeda-Freyti, Pennsylvania Representative.
Keynote speaker Cindy Milian, Health and Human Services Program Officer of the Berks County Community Foundation, underscored the vital role CHWs play in removing barriers to care and advancing health equity. Through powerful first-hand stories, CHWs demonstrated that they are the right people, at the right time, to bridge healthcare and the community.
State leaders pledged their commitment to advancing CHW legislative priorities - an important step toward lasting policy impact for Medicare and Medicaid populations. Representative Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz closed the event by honoring CHWs with official certificates, recognizing their meaningful contributions to the community.
Poverty and Re-Entry Simulations
Co-hosted with the Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center, the re-entry simulation received overwhelming praise, with more than 90% of participants rating the experience as “outstanding.” Attendees described the session as eye-opening, powerful, and essential - walking away with deeper empathy, reduced bias, and practical strategies for addressing social determinants of health. The impact reached even further when the Reading Eagle featured the simulation on its front page, spotlighting the real-life struggles and barriers faced by those we serve.
Fuel Up for Fall Health and Wellness Fair
The inaugural Fuel Up for Fall Health & Wellness Fair at Reading Hospital drew more than 50 attendees, with about half representing community-based organizations, hospital health educators, and partner agencies who shared essential education and resources with our staff and neighbors. Interactive stations ranging from CPR and first aid demonstrations to raffles and wellness activities kept the day lively and engaging.
In a powerful moment that underscored the lifesaving role of CHWs, they were able to connect a family in crisis, facing urgent housing, food, and safety concerns, with Street Medicine and critical support services right on the spot.
Outcomes and Impact
The initiative strengthened collaborations with 22 community-based organizations and established six new cross-sector partnerships, deepening our community impact. It also elevated the visibility of CHWs among hospital leadership, state officials, and staff.
Many CHWs shared that, for the first time, they felt truly recognized and valued for their contributions. More than 90% of participants reported gaining new strategies to address social determinants of health, marking a meaningful shift in professional practice. Together, these achievements positioned Reading Hospital as a state leader in honoring CHWs and advancing equity-focused policy reform.
Looking Forward
This inaugural week reaffirmed that CHWs are catalysts for health equity and essential change agents within the communities they serve. Building on this momentum, Reading Hospital’s Health Equity Team will continue expanding CHW visibility and integration across care teams. It will also strengthen partnerships with community organizations, and advocating for sustainable investments in CHW programs that improve outcomes while reducing healthcare costs.
Acknowledgements
We extend our sincere appreciation to our community partners and event sponsors: Genentech, Inc., Redner’s Markets, Inc., and Centro Hispano for their generous support. Our heartfelt thanks also extend to Olivet Boys & Girls Club Oakbrook for providing the space that made this event possible.
Special recognition is due to Tanieka Mason, Director of Health Equity, and Juliet Simplicio, Supervisor of Health Equity at Tower Health. Their vision, planning, and coordination were instrumental in bringing this celebration to life.