News

Instructor speaking to a class of fellowship students

Announcing the 2026 Health Policy Fellowship cohort  

We are proud to introduce the 2026 cohort of the Health Policy Fellowship. Since the program began in 2012, the fellowship has supported the professional development of health researchers, government staff, and nonprofit leaders committed to improving health policy in Michigan. Fellowship graduates continue to contribute to policy development, research, and community programs throughout the state. The 2026 fellowship cohort …

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Senior man walking with a walker outside

CHRT launches four new projects advancing health systems, aging services, and pandemic preparedness

The Center for Health and Research Transformation (CHRT) has launched four new projects focused on strengthening health and social care systems in Michigan and beyond. The initiatives span topics from accountable care and aging to community care hubs and pandemic readiness. Exploring community care hub structures with the Partnership to Align Social Care CHRT is partnering with the Partnership to …

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John Rodriguez

Interview with John Rodriguez, CHRT’s new communications manager

We at CHRT are excited to welcome John Rodriguez as our new communications manager. John is a strategic communications professional with more than a decade of experience at the University of Michigan. As communications manager at CHRT, he will lead communications efforts that translate research into accessible stories, elevate community voices, and support evidence-based policy change.  John’s career has been …

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CHRT’s 2025 Health Policy Fellowship

Thank you to the experts who made this year’s Health Policy Fellowship a success

CHRT’s 2025 Health Policy Fellowship wrapped up in May, capping off five months of learning for the twelve fellows who participated in the annual program. The fellowship helps emerging health leaders—working in policy, nonprofit, clinical, and academic spaces—build the skills, experiences, and relationships that support effective health policy leadership at the state and national level.CHRT is deeply grateful to the …

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2025 CHRT Summer Interns

Introducing CHRT’s 2025 summer interns: Samikshya Satpathy and Rebecca Copeland Intern Aashritha Murali

CHRT is delighted to welcome its 2025 summer interns, Samikshya Satpathy and Rebecca Copeland Intern Aashritha Murali. These two emerging leaders will spend the next few months helping CHRT drive forward user‑centered innovation and health‑equity policy. Samikshya Satpathy is a master’s student at the University of Michigan School of Information, specializing in user‑experience research and design. Before graduate school, she spent more than three …

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Celebrating New Promotions and Team Members at CHRT!

We’re pleased to share some important updates about our team at CHRT! From well-deserved promotions to new team members bringing valuable expertise, our organization continues to grow in its commitment to advancing health and social equity. Promotions Samantha Iovan – Associate Director of Health Policy Congratulations to Samantha Iovan on her promotion to Associate Director of Health Policy! Samantha leads …

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Transportation is a cornerstone of healthcare access, but we’ve got to coordinate

Transportation is so much more than a logistical concern—it’s a cornerstone of healthcare access.  When patients can’t physically get to their appointments, pick up prescriptions, or buy groceries, their overall health suffers. Non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT)—a service that helps people get to healthcare-related destinations when they don’t have access to other options—can help bridge this gap.  Michigan has included non-emergency …

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CHRT welcomes 2025 Health Policy Fellowship cohort

The Center for Health and Research Transformation (CHRT) is pleased to announce the 2025 cohort of its Health Policy Fellowship. This year’s fellows represent a diverse group of health researchers, policymakers, and nonprofit leaders who are committed to improving health policy and practice in Michigan and beyond. Since its inception, the CHRT Health Policy Fellowship has provided professionals from varied …

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CHRT Launches Five New Projects in Mental Health, Community Violence, and more

The Center for Health & Research Transformation (CHRT) is pleased to announce five new projects aimed at improving health outcomes and addressing social determinants of health across Michigan communities.​ Aligning Medicaid Beneficiary Needs with Mental Health Service Delivery Standards In collaboration with Network 180 and the Lakeshore Regional Entity, CHRT will analyze Medicaid data to better align beneficiary needs with …

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In The Media, MI Mental Health, Second Wave Media: CHRT staff discuss Michigan’s crisis continuum of care with MI Mental Health

CHRT’s Nailah Henry and Nancy Baum were recently featured in Second Wave Media’s Michigan Mental Health series, which explores the state’s efforts to improve behavioral health services. In the article, Nailah and Nancy discuss the importance of a continuum of crisis care—a coordinated system that ensures individuals receive the right mental health services at the right time. They emphasize the …

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