Tamesha Brooks

Tamesha co-presented with Tonya Elkins of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing at the 2024 Southeast CHW Network Conference.

Their session, “Building on Strengths to Help Communities Thrive,” provided a theoretical framework and practical applications for CHWs to use a Strengths-Based Approach in their work. The basic tenets of the approach include nurturing caring, honest relationships, identifying a client’s strengths, and carefully assessing and building on those strengths. Participants were led through a group exercise designed to identify their own character strengths. Participants worked in small groups, and Tamesha also led volunteers through case scenarios to practice using a strengths-based approach with clients.

Participants were enthusiastic and gave the presentation rave reviews. “It was a true pleasure to host a breakout room at the Southeast Community Health Worker Network Conference,” noted Tamesha. “I believe it is crucial now, and in the future, to highlight the strengths within our communities and utilize those strengths to guide us through challenges. We must strive to thrive as a community, regardless of the obstacles we face. The inherent strengths of our communities and their members serve as valuable tools to help us achieve the changes and improvements we desperately need.”

   Brea Burke

Brea (second from the left in photo), along with four other CHWs, appeared as a podcast guest in the Virginia Community Health Worker Association’s (VACHWA) first podcast of the year, released on January 26, 2025. The episode, titled VACHWA Empowering Communities Podcast #2: Advocacy & Education, explored the role of advocacy and education in raising awareness about matters that have an impact on personal, community, and policy issues. Brea highlighted the importance of empowerment through autonomy, stating, “It’s important to teach patients, our clients, our community members, that they can take charge of their health if they are educated on all the different avenues of information.” Podcast guest Marco Thomas also spoke on the importance of knowing your value as a CHW, stating that sometimes you will need to be “the community health workers’ community health worker,” advocating for yourself and other CHW’s as well. Brea also shared that she convenes the Southwest Mount Rogers Health District policy group, which originated as a support group for CHWs.

We are also proud to congratulate Brea for receiving the 40 Under 40 award from the Business Journal of Tri-Cities TN/VA in 2024. This recognition celebrates Brea’s contributions as a Community Health Manager at Healing Hands Health where her efforts have significantly improved patient health outcomes. Brea’s work has created an impact that has touched many people in her community. Congratulations Brea!

You can view the Virginia CHW Association podcast here:  https://youtu.be/9grSHxtzrMM?si=Mqvm07Jxmd3z9a