Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital (PPMH) celebrated a milestone with the graduation of its first cohort of Health Equity Advancement Liaisons (HEALs), marking a significant step forward in the commitment to advancing equitable care across southwest Georgia. The inaugural class of 20 nurse managers and human resources business partners completed an intensive eight‑month program created by Phoebe in partnership with Columbus State University’s Center for Health Disparities and Community-Based Research. The program is designed to equip leaders with tools, language, and practical skills to recognize, address, and prevent disparities in patient care and employee experience.

Launched in June 2025, the HEALs initiative is a central component of Phoebe’s focus on health equity that began in 2024 when Phoebe participated in the American Hospital Association’s Health Equity Transformation Assessment. The inaugural cohort focused on developing actionable solutions to advance health equity and improve outcomes for marginalized populations across the region.

“The graduation of this inaugural cohort of Health Equity Advancement Liaisons is yet another step toward advancing health equity across the health system. I’m proud of the graduates and the leadership team who recognized a need and provided the financial resources to address that need. This program is a win for the health system, but most importantly it’s a win for the residents of southwest Georgia, all of whom deserve to achieve their optimum health regardless of their zip code, race, socio-economic status, age, spoken language, or gender,” said Jennifer Williams, PhD, Chief Community Engagement & Health Impact Officer.

Throughout the program, participants explored foundational health equity concepts including the impact of social determinants of health, cultural humility, inclusive leadership, and the ways bias can shape patient experiences. The coursework culminated in team-based projects presented during the graduation ceremony, each addressing a critical equity gap affecting Phoebe’s patient population.

The goal of the capstone team projects was to find ways to improve outcomes for marginalized populations, including older patients, those living in neighborhoods with high hospital admission rates, people with limited English proficiency, and patients who are deaf or hard of hearing.   

“These graduates are bridge builders, standing in the gap where misunderstanding and assumptions can live. They’re bringing practical tools and courageous conversations to the bedside and to our teams, so every patient and colleague is seen, heard, and treated with dignity. The projects they presented are actionable, measurable, and aligned to our mission,” said Deb Angerami, President of Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital.

During the ceremony, Phoebe leaders, faculty facilitators from Columbus State University, and colleagues from across the system celebrated the cohort’s dedication to the eight‑month journey balancing coursework, case studies, reflection exercises, and project development. Participants also earned continuing education credits throughout the program.

The HEALs model positions liaisons as connectors across departments and service lines, responsible for modeling equitable practices, sharing what they’ve learned with peers, and embedding equity considerations into daily operations and decision-making. With the success of the inaugural cohort, Phoebe plans to continue the program annually as part of its systemwide strategy to advance toward the next stage of the health equity continuum. This milestone represents more than a graduation, it signifies the beginning of sustained, organization-wide progress toward ensuring every patient receives the safe, inclusive, culturally responsive care they deserve.