Discover the journey that began with research and evolved into a mission to eliminate healthcare disparities for immigrants and underserved communities.
Wright State University and Montgomery County Public Health conducted groundbreaking research on refugees' health needs.
Strategic meetings with healthcare partners, universities, and community leaders to assess gaps in immigrant healthcare access.
Eight founding members filed Articles of Incorporation, receiving approval from the State of Ohio.
The inception of Ebenezer Healthcare Access dates to 2011, when Wright State University and the Montgomery County Department of Public Health jointly conducted research to assess refugees' health needs in Montgomery County. Wright State University was represented by Dr. Kristina Redko, then the program's Research Director, and Jean de Dieu Mukunzi, Principal Investigator. Montgomery County Public Health was represented by Cheryl Scroggins.
This research on immigrants was the first of its kind to provide workable recommendations to improve immigrants' ability to navigate the United States healthcare system. Similar recommendations were also developed by Welcome Dayton and the University of Dayton's Department of Sociology.
Inspired by research-based recommendations, the Ebenezer Healthcare Access Foundation Committee held meetings with Wright State University's Department of Public Health, the University of Dayton's Department of Sociology, Montgomery County Public Health, Premier Health Partners, Kettering Health Network, Welcome Dayton, and immigrant community leaders.
These meetings were designed to analyze gaps in immigrants' access to healthcare in the Greater Dayton area and to assess the need for launching the organization.
From meetings held at various times with different stakeholders, most public health partners concluded that the gaps in delivering healthcare services to immigrants are significant. Following this consensus, a team of eight individuals filed Articles of Incorporation with the Ohio Secretary of State for approval.
The appropriate state authority approved Ebenezer Healthcare Access through the issuance of a Certificate of Incorporation.
We attribute the progress of Ebenezer Healthcare Access to the following visionary leaders and organizations:
Dr. Anthony Romano who shared the vision with the founder
Dr. Sara Paton, Director of Wright State University's Master's Program in Public Health
Dr. Peter Bath, Vice President of Mission at Kettering Health Network
J. Thomas Maultsby, President and CEO of United Way
Governor Robert Taft
Dr Theo Majka of the Sociology Department at UD
Shaun Hamilton, community benefits Director at Premier Health
Melissa Bertolo Welcoming Manager at Welcome America
Dr. Rick Saxen of Kettering Health Network
Dr Kristina Redko of the department of wright State Master's Program
Welcome Dayton Team and Immigrants community leaders