Thought Partners

Thought Partners are community leaders who advise the Department of Health in its policies, practices and programs to reduce health inequities and improve health outcomes, acting as trusted messengers and bridges for communities facing systemic racism and oppression. Thought Partners are currently focusing on the following activities:

• Redesigning the Collaborative for the Future to allow for equitable, meaningful community input and engagement channels for CBOs across the state;
• Determining how Pro-Equity Anti-Racism (PEAR) activities can be carried out in partnership with community members, partners and DOH;
• Providing guidance, expert knowledge, lived experience, community feedback and/or other information regarding community public health priorities, strategic planning, policy development, resource and funding investments and allocation, and partner engagement to advance health equity.
• Providing input into and supporting monthly Community Collaborative meetings.

Our Thought Partners represent a wide range of marginalized communities throughout the state. Their names and the counties in which they primarily serve their communities follows.

• Amelia Bai, Snohomish
• Cara Elzie, Yakima
• Chauné Fitzgerald, Benton
• Cyril Walrond, Pierce
• Faaluaina (Lua) Pritchard, Pierce
• JanMarie Ward Olmstead, Thurston
• Jo Anderson, King
• Kathleen Wilcox, King 
• Lin Crowley, Thurston
• Maria Remington, Walla Walla
• Mayra Colazo, Kittitas
• Mulki Mohamed, King 
• Shalom Agtarap, Pierce   
• Tawn Thompson, Okanogan 
• Tia Mou, Spokane
• Todd Holloway, Pierce 
• Van Kuno, Snohomish 
• Vincent Perez, Thurston