[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 164 (Tuesday, October 18, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1061]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING DR. NALO JOHNSON AS IOWAN OF THE WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 18, 2022

  Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Nalo Johnson as 
Iowan of the Week. Dr. Nalo Johnson is a public health expert who works 
with community-based organizations, public and private entities, and 
everyday Iowans to improve health outcomes for all Iowans.
  While growing up in Des Moines, she learned firsthand how 
collaboration was key to addressing issues facing her community, and 
that lesson drives her work to this day.
  She got her start in public health while earning her Ph.D. in 
American Studies from the University of Minnesota, where she focused on 
learning about the economic, social, and environmental barriers to 
health. At the same time, her husband attended dental school and shared 
literature on public health issues that furthered her interest in the 
topic. After she concluded the program, she knew that her life's 
mission was to break down those barriers and create healthier 
communities.
  She later joined the Division Director of Health Promotion and 
Chronic Disease Prevention at the Iowa Department of Public Health. 
There, she worked on the Title V Community-Based Doula Project for 
African American Families. This project included a collaborative team 
of Black maternal health experts that had 3 goals--to improve maternal 
health outcomes and decrease the disparity between Black mothers and 
white mothers, diversify the prenatal workforce by having doula and 
lactation certifications, and advocate for a systems change to use the 
program's data for health insurance reimbursement--including Medicaid--
for using doula services. The project is now concluding its first year 
of work.
  She now serves as the President and CEO of the Mid-Iowa Health 
Foundation, where she partners with leading organizations and 
stakeholders to view public health challenges through an equity lens 
and tackle those same challenges in a culturally-competent and 
effective manner.
  Dr. Nalo Johnson says that one of the best parts of her job is 
building relationships with local leaders, funding partners, and public 
health systems to bring everyone to the table to address the unique 
needs of communities and is excited about the new resources available 
to do just that in her new role.
  She is grateful for the support of her family--her husband and two 
children--for always being supportive and proud of the work she does.
  Dr. Nalo Johnson is a stellar example of someone who fights for ALL 
Iowans, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status. Her work 
is critical to the well-being of Iowans, and I am so proud to honor Dr. 
Nalo Johnson as the Iowan of the Week.

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