On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, Heluna Health welcomed four esteemed partners to their headquarters to present them with awards, recognizing their outstanding achievements in public health and community services. These awardees have demonstrated remarkable resilience, growth, and commitment to advancing health equity in their respective fields. The celebration highlighted the success of Contra Costa Health, Housing, and Homelessness (H3), Expecting Justice, Happy Mama Healthy Baby Alliance, and the SFDPH Center for Public Health Research, acknowledging their critical contributions toward enhancing community well-being. Additionally, Delia Molloy, M.A., Deputy Director of the SFDPH Bridge HIV project was honored on the eve of her retirement and last fall, the CDPH Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program (IBTPP), was celebrated for 20 years of saving lives with BabyBIG.
Contra Costa Health, Housing, and Homelessness (H3) received the Semi-Annual Award for Overcoming Challenges to Achieve Success. Heluna Health proudly enters its 10th year of partnership with Contra Costa H3, which continues to meet the challenges of serving the unhoused population, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the leadership of Tara Cantu and Deborah Marie Keenan, H3 has not only restored its services but surpassed pre-pandemic impact levels. In 2022 alone, they served over 7,725 households, connecting vulnerable populations with vital healthcare, shelter, and pathways to permanent housing. Their programs demonstrated an impressive 90% success rate in helping households retain or transition to permanent housing, showcasing their leadership in Contra Costa’s Homeless Continuum of Care.
Since becoming a client in 2015, H3 has significantly contributed to the County’s efforts to address homelessness. Their street outreach teams and emergency shelters provide essential services to those in need, with a strong emphasis on prevention and permanent housing solutions. Despite facing reduced capacity during the pandemic, H3 rebounded by increasing the number of households served in prevention, diversion, and permanent housing programs, making them a model of resilience and effectiveness in tackling the homelessness crisis.
Expecting Justice, part of the San Francisco Department of Public Health, received the Quarterly Award for Growth. Heluna Health has proudly partnered with Expecting Justice since 2019, and their recent expansion of the Guaranteed Income Pilot program represents a significant leap forward in their mission. Under the leadership of Dr. Zea Malawa, Michaela Taylor, and Jenna Gaarde, Expecting Justice has successfully scaled the program beyond San Francisco County to now include Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, and Riverside counties, providing financial assistance to over 425 pregnant individuals. This $5 million grant awarded by the State of California in August 2023 will help reduce birth disparities among Black and Pacific Islander populations, aligning closely with Heluna Health’s mission to promote health equity.
Through this program, Expecting Justice is addressing systemic inequalities in maternal healthcare, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the support they need during pregnancy. Their expansion demonstrates the program’s efficacy and potential for statewide impact, as the financial stability provided by the Guaranteed Income Pilot directly contributes to healthier birth outcomes and overall maternal well-being.
Happy Mama Healthy Baby Alliance (HMHBA) was honored with the Quarterly Award for Overcoming Challenges to Achieve Success. Despite being a small team of five, HMHBA, led by Executive Director Cordelia Hanna and Program Director Carla Michael, provides essential maternal health services such as birthing and breastfeeding training, doula services, and postpartum care to underserved communities in Los Angeles. Their volunteer efforts and commitment to training, community outreach, and support for disadvantaged women are aligned with Heluna Health’s mission to foster strong, healthy communities. Through their Generating African American Infant and Nurturers’ Survival Initiatives (GAAINS) program, HMHBA is on track to serve at least 135 clients this year, with goals of reducing postpartum complications and increasing breastfeeding success among African American mothers.
HMHBA’s dedication to overcoming financial and operational challenges reflects their unwavering commitment to improving maternal and infant health outcomes. The team has built strong partnerships within the community and continues to expand their reach through training and advocacy. Their ability to provide vital services, such as no-cost doula support to vulnerable populations, contributes significantly to reducing maternal mortality and advancing birth equity in the African American community. HMHBA’s perseverance and dedication make them a deserving recipient of this award.
SFDPH Center for Public Health Research (CPHR) was recognized with the Quarterly Award for Growth. Under the leadership of Dr. Erin Wilson, SFDPH CPHR has successfully expanded the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) program, which monitors behavioral risk factors and access to prevention services among populations at higher risk for HIV infection. This expansion, funded by a three-year $3.5 million renewal grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), will continue through 2026, with the potential for extension through 2033. The NHBS program, which began in 2016, plays a critical role in developing targeted HIV prevention strategies that align with Heluna Health’s vision of improving community health outcomes.
SFDPH CPHR’s growth is a testament to their expertise in public health research and data-driven interventions. Their work enhances understanding of HIV risk behaviors and informs the design of more effective prevention programs. Through partnerships with state and local health departments, SFDPH CPHR ensures that vulnerable populations receive the care and support they need to reduce HIV transmission and improve health equity across the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. Their sustained impact in the field of HIV prevention underscores their role as leaders in public health innovation.
Heluna Health took a moment to honor Delia Molloy, M.A., Deputy Director of the SFDPH Bridge HIV project, as she prepares for her retirement on September 30, 2024, after 16 years of dedicated service. Delia’s journey to Bridge HIV was shaped by a diverse array of experiences, from growing up in East Los Angeles and earning master’s degrees in English literature and theology, to working as a chef, a teacher, and even living off the grid in a straw bale house. Her path eventually led her to Bridge HIV, where a job posting that called for a “superhero” resonated deeply, especially as she had lost friends during the early AIDS epidemic. Over her 17 years at Bridge HIV, Delia’s role evolved from executive assistant to Deputy Director, where she oversaw human resources, grants management, and budgets, making lasting contributions to the groundbreaking HIV prevention research the organization is known for.
Delia’s leadership and commitment to HIV research have helped advance the field significantly, particularly through studies demonstrating the efficacy of antiretroviral medications for prevention. Her success, she notes, is largely due to the exceptional support of her team, including Administrative Coordinator April Garcia and her colleagues at Heluna Health headquarters. As she transitions into retirement, Delia leaves behind a legacy of service, compassion, and impact, and her contributions will continue to resonate throughout the organization. Heluna Health is proud to honor her commitment and excellence as she embarks on her well-earned retirement.
Last fall, the CDPH Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program (IBTPP) was honored with an award recognizing its extraordinary contributions to public health. Since its collaboration with Heluna Health, then PHFE in 1998, IBTPP has been at the forefront of groundbreaking research and life-saving treatment for infant botulism. Led by Dr. Arnon, the program developed BabyBIG, an antitoxin that was licensed by the FDA in 2003 and has since celebrated 20 years of saving lives. IBTPP’s dedication extends beyond treatment, as it plays a key role in the annual Infant Botulism Conference, where public health leaders from around the world come together to advance awareness, discovery, and collaboration in this critical field. Heluna Health remains proud to support IBTPP’s unparalleled mission and global impact.
