What we do
The Health Policy and Equity Affinity Network incorporates evidence-based curriculum, commentary and collaborative efforts to improve health equity policy at the local and national levels.
Health Policy and Equity Affinity Network
Engagement
Team leads
Jessica Lehmann, MS, RDN
Jessica Lehmann is an associate teaching professor in the College of Health Solutions at Arizona State University, past president of the Central District of the Arizona Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and a co-faculty advisor of CULTIVATE, the student-led gardening club at the Downtown Phoenix campus.
Team Co-Lead
Associate Teaching Professor, College of Health Solutions
[email protected]
Sarah Martinelli, MS, RD, SNS
Sarah Martinelli is a Clinical Associate Professor at Arizona State University's College of Health Solutions. Sarah is part of ASU’s Food Policy and Environment Research Group which explores how policies and programs impact health. Sarah worked previously in Child Nutrition programs and focuses on access to Child Nutrition Programs as a mechanism for improving nutrition and food security.
Team Co-Lead
Clinical Associate Professor, College of Health Solutions
[email protected]
Swapna Reddy, JD, DrPH, MPH
Swapna Reddy is a clinical associate professor at Arizona State University's College of Health Solutions. At Arizona State University, Dr. Reddy teaches students in undergraduate and graduate coursework. She serves as medical studies faculty at Arizona State University’s Barrett, the Honors College. Additionally, she is an adjunct assistant professor in health care administration at the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine - Arizona and a monthly contributor on Arizona PBS. Dr. Reddy was recently named as a Fulbright Specialist and her primary research interests are how law and policy can be utilized as tools to improve population health and health outcomes, reduce health disparities and inequities.
Team Co-Lead
Clinical Associate Professor, College of Health Solutions
[email protected]
Shambhavi Mishra, MS
Shambhavi Mishra is a dedicated advocate of health equity and improving health outcomes for our local communities. She received her master's degree in science of health care delivery from Arizona State University in 2023 and currently serves as the academic project coordinator for Honor Health in their Academic Affairs Department. Her research interests include addressing needs in pediatric and cardiac medicine, public health policy and equity.
Team Coordinator
Project Manager
[email protected]
Student involvement
Students are invited and encouraged to participate in our collaborative events, including health equity panels and volunteer activities. Historically, students have taken on roles as graduate interns within the network, overseeing and leading various nodes. HPEN actively involves students at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels in an equity-focused curriculum through their coursework, case studies and experiential learning opportunities.
Please contact our team coordinator for more information.
Where we work
College of Health Solutions
500 N 3rd St
Phoenix AZ 85004
Current projects
Two-week staff and faculty online course piloted for spring 2024 with interactive modules and Playposit content.
Food as medicine initiative between Adelante, ASU and Mayo Clinic which explores the link between food and improvement in metabolic outcomes through distributing food from St. Mary’s each Friday.