Helen Margellos

Helen Margellos‐Anast leads Sinai Urban Health Institute (SUHI), a dynamic, passionate, and motivated team of Community Health Workers (CHW), Research Specialists, Epidemiologists, Evaluators, and support staff. SUHI conducts health disparities research, develops innovative community health interventions, delivers CHW training and consultation, and provides a broad scope of evaluation services. Currently funded initiatives focus on asthma, breast health, diabetes, healthy homes, prevention of lead exposure in children, oral health, social determinants of health, and violence, among others. In partnership with community organizations, public health agencies, and academic partners, SUHI develops community‐engaged solutions to urban health challenges and delivers services that improve health in some of the most vulnerable neighborhoods in the city.

As President, Helen leads successful collaborative efforts to create and disseminate research findings and promising urban health solutions across the Sinai Health System, the local community, healthcare, and public health. She oversees management, administration, finances, fundraising, research, intervention, dissemination, community engagement, and programmatic activities. Helen cultivates and sustains relationships with other researchers, public health and health care organizations, community members, community‐based organizations, and funders.

Helen has over 20 years of public health experience, with considerable expertise in community‐engaged research and with the CHW model. She has served as principal investigator (PI) or co‐PI on multiple grants examining the feasibility and effectiveness of CHW models for improving chronic disease management and prevention. Building on this expertise, Helen led the establishment of CROWD – Center for CHW Research, Outcomes, and Workforce Development, which supports health plans, health systems, organizations, and research studies in all facets of establishing, implementing, or expanding CHW interventions. Helen has participated in several studies measuring Chicago’s racial/ethnic health disparities. Her published papers explore overall health disparities in Chicago and the U.S., as well as those in childhood obesity, asthma, and the health status of deaf persons.

Helen served as chair of the Chicago Asthma Consortium Board (2009‐2010), is an Allied Health Professional member of the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology, and a member of the American Public Health Association. She serves on the CHW Thought Leadership Group for the American Hospital Association and on Chicago’s COVID‐19 Racial Equity Rapid Response Data Taskforce.