Celeste James, Executive Director of Community Health, has been appointed by Governor Larry Hogan’s Office to serve as a Commissioner on the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission. The Commission, established in 2005, was created to expand access to health care services in underserved communities across Maryland. Over its first 13 years, the CHRC has awarded 205 grants, totaling more than $63 million and serving more than 450,000 residents in every jurisdiction of the state. Celeste will officially join the Commission this Friday, April 27.
Celeste was recently named the Executive Director of Community Health here in the Mid-Atlantic. In this role, she oversees Kaiser Permanente’s community-based health programming, grant-making, and policy advocacy to create conditions that promote optimal health and life opportunity for all. Celeste leads a diverse team of professionals who work in Maryland, DC and Northern Virginia, supporting nonprofit organizations, governments and communities to address identified community needs, with a focus on socio-economic opportunity, mental and behavioral health and access to culturally competent health care.
In addition to her service on the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission, Celeste currently serves as co-chair of Washington Regional Food Funders and sits on the Board of Crittenton Services of Greater Washington.
