Meet Our 2026-27 Core Team
The Spokane chapter of the HEC brings together students from Washington State University, University of Washington, Eastern Washington University, Whitworth University, Spokane Community College, and Gonzaga University. We are a member of the Spokane Alliance and have teams working on the following issues.
Lead Organizers
Aliyah Cleveland & Crystal Khem
Lead organizers seek to build relations within the team, recruit new members, plan HEC events, and train new leaders. We also work with action teams to help promote their actions, and make connections to the larger Spokane community. For any questions, contact Aliyah ([email protected]) and Crystal ([email protected]).
Child Health Action Team
Lead: Abdelrahman Ibrahim
The Child Health Action Team is committed to promoting the health and wellbeing of children in Spokane. We are predominantly focused on affordable child care, and our community partners include Vanessa Behan, Lumen High School, GLOW Children Early Learning Center, and Spokane Alliance. We are excited to build further connections with organizations and individuals who are passionate about child health. Please reach out to Abdel([email protected]) if you are interested in learning more.
Food Justice Action Team
Leads: Makya Warren, Anna Li and Mimi Garmella
The Food Justice Action Team is committed to addressing food insecurity in Spokane through direct community support and educational outreach. We aim to assist with food distribution for vulnerable populations by collaborating with local organizations, our schools, and the local community. Our goal is to promote equitable access to nutritious food through meal distribution and community gardening events. Please reach out to Makya ([email protected]) or Anna ([email protected]) or Mimi ([email protected]) if you are interested in learning more. We are excited to have you join us!
Harm Reduction Action Team
Leads: Kyra Shelton, Yeena Kee, Kelly Nguyen, and Maia Kent.
The Harm Reduction Action Team is committed to collaborating with harm reduction-based community partners in Spokane and educating future healthcare professionals on harm reduction principles. Our goal is to reduce the negative health, social, and legal impacts associated with addiction and drug use. We advocate policies, programs, and practices that focus on reinforcing positive change and working with individuals without judgment, coercion, or discrimination. We strive to understand and address the realities of social inequalities — including poverty, racism, social isolation, trauma, and sex-based discrimination — and how they affect both a person's vulnerability and capacity for dealing with drug-related harm. If you are interested in learning more about our team's involvement in Spokane, please reach out to Kyra ([email protected]), Yeena ([email protected]), Kelly ([email protected]), or Maia ([email protected]).
The Harm Reduction team has partnered with Washington Students for Community Health (WSCH) and CHAS Health to develop the homeless accompaniment program.
Racial Equity Action Team
Lead: Afia Tiwaa and Julie Mei
Please reach out to Afia([email protected]) or Julie ([email protected]) if you are interested in learning more.
Refugee and Immigrant Health Action Team
Leads: Angshita Dutta, Stephen Chun, Dianna Hoppe
Please reach out to Angshita ([email protected]) Steve,([email protected]), or Diana ([email protected]) if you are interested in learning more.
Spokane Alliance Delegate
Afia Twiia
If you have any questions or would like to get in contact, please email Afia ([email protected])).
College of Nursing Representative
TBD
The College of Nursing Representative works to engage the Spokane College of Nursing in Health Equity Circle events and engagements and also represent the College of Nursing’s values within our core team.
Gonzaga University Representative
Arisa Cunningham and Abdelrahman Ibrahim
As the Gonzaga University representative, I bring undergraduate students into the Health Equity Circle community, connecting with the core team and on-campus offices to increase awareness of health disparities and ways to get involved with issues of health equity on and off campus. If you have questions or want to get involved, please reach out to Arisa ([email protected]) or Abdel ([email protected]).