NCC Leaders

Officers for 2011-2012

Katie Barnes, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill PRC, Project Manager

Chair
Katie Barnes, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill PRC.

Ms. Barnes first became involved with the UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (HPDP) as a participant in their workplace wellness program. She was then invited to participate in their Community Action Council (CAC). She soon took on a leadership role in the CAC and was elected to be the NCC representative in 2002. Ms. Barnes has been an active member of the CAC and NCC since then serving in many capacities including her current role as NCC chair. Her passion for CBPR and her community is evident in her work as the project manager for Seeds of HOPE, the core research project of HPDP.

Contact Ms. Barnes at katiebarnes@unc.edu

Susan Kunz, University of Arizona PRC, Community Representative, Community Action Board Co-Chair

Chair-Elect
Susan Kunz, University of Arizona PRC.

Susan Kunz, MPH, is an Arizona native who lives near Tumacacori. Susan is currently the Director of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (Platicamos Salud) at Mariposa Community Health Center in Nogales, Arizona on the U.S.-México border. Susan has provided public health planning and development services for American Indian and Hispanic/Latino communities in the border region for the past 30 years. Susan volunteers with non-profit organizations that protect the natural environment and promote healthy local food systems. Susan joined the NCC in 2007 and is serving her second year as an officer.

Contact Ms. Kunz at skunz@mariposachc.net

Chikezie Maduka, University of Maryland PRC, Co-Chair Seat Pleasant-University of Maryland Health Partnership, Community Advisory Board, Member.

Vice-Chair
Chikezie Maduka, University of Maryland PRC.

Chikezie Maduka, MA, has lived in Landover, MD for 18 years and is active in the Community First, Inc. Group. He holds two Masters Degrees in International Journalism and Russian Language from St. Petersburg State University, Russia and completed his research work and Dissertation for PhD in Information and Economics at St. Petersburg State University for Professional Unions, Russia. Mr. Maduka is in his second year as an NCC Officer, and has contributed to to the University of Maryland PRC as a member of the Community Advisory Board since its creation. He was recognized by the Genetic Alliance Organization as an Innovator in 2011. He says "Community-Based engagement efforts in collaboration with agencies, academics, public health practitioners and organizations are necessary to bridge communication gaps and further implement health policies at all levels of life in order to adequately provide quality care to the underserved populations in addressing health disparities."

Jose Antonio Tovar, USF Project Director

Immediate Past Chair
Jose Antonio Tovar, University of South Florida PRC.

Mr. Tovar has lived in Florida for 10 years and is active in the Immokalee Lions Club and the Society for Applied Anthropology. He is the current president of Mexicans in Gainesville Student Association at the University of Florida where he is completing his Ph.D. in anthropology. Mr. Tovar is in his third year as an NCC officer, and he has contributed to the University of South Florida PRC as a member of the Community Advisory Board for 6 years. He is the director of the Partnership for Citrus Workers Health Project at the PRC. He says “I am happy to be part of an important movement to transform community-based participatory research (CBPR) into a real partnership between communities and academicians.”

Contact Mr. Tovar at tonytovar@hotmail.com

Paul Gilmer, University of West Virginia PRC, Statewide Community Representative

Treasurer
Paul Gilmer, West Virginia University PRC.

Mr. Gilmer has lived in Charleston, West Virginia, all his life and is active in local and statewide population health matters through his work with several youth athletic and community organizations, including the West Virginia Center for Civic Life. Mr. Gilmer has contributed to the PRC as a member of the Community Participation Board for 10 years. This is his second year as an NCC officer. “I have been a member of the NCC since its third year, and I now look forward to helping our committee evolve while keeping the concerns of the community at the forefront,” Mr. Gilmer says.

Contact Mr. Gilmer at pgilmer@trianamanagement.com

Theresa Rudder, University of Colorado Rocky Mountain PRC, Community Liaison

Secretary
Theresa Rudder, University of Colorado Denver PRC.

Ms. Rudder lives in Alamosa, Colorado, in the San Luis Valley, which she notes has a rich Hispanic heritage and a strong history of working together to improve health and the environment. Valley communities are medically underserved and have some of the lowest per capita income levels of any region in Colorado. Ms Rudder contributes her energy to many local organizations, including the First United Methodist Church and the Friends of Fort Garland Museum. She has been active in the PRC since 2001 and has served as secretary of the NCC since 2005. “This partnership has allowed me to receive training in CBPR and then transfer this knowledge to my community. I feel privileged to be a part of this most important process,” she says.

Contact Ms. Rudder at theresarudder@msn.com

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