Healthcare Innovation Fellows in Detroit

We’re excited to tell you about our first-ever experiential learning trip with our Innovation Fellows!

Our Healthcare Innovation Fellows joined us in Detroit, Michigan to meet with experts in maternal health and childcare, gaining first-hand experience of the work being done locally and around the state. 

At the Detroit Athletic Club, we held a panel discussion with Leslie Meyer, a Senior Director at Corewell Health, Mark Davidoff, the President & CEO of The Fisher Group, and Tammy Carnike, the Chief Operating Officer of the Detroit Chamber of Commerce. 

We heard from Jonathan Hui of the Kresge Foundation and Kirby Burkholder of the Illinois Facilities Fund on the state of childcare in Michigan and how young lawmakers can make an impact in their state. Additionally, we had a conversation with Dawn Shanafelt, a Director of Maternal Health at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. 

We even had the chance to go on two field trips: Starfish Family Services and Birth Detroit! 

Starfish Family Services, a nonprofit focused on early childhood education and development, behavioral health wellness, and empowered parents, welcomed us to visit their facility and learn about the work they are doing to improve the lives of children and parents in Detroit. 

We toured the facility of Birth Detroit, a community-based maternal health practice that offers prenatal and postpartum care by midwives, as well as childbirth education and support to mothers postpartum. 

And we couldn’t miss out on the opportunity to attend a Tigers game with our Fellows!

Click here to learn more about our Strengthening Democracy Innovation Fellows’ experiential learning trip to Denver, CO, and click here to follow our Energy & Environment Innovation Fellows’ trip to Denver.

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