Marilyn Alejandro-Rodriguez has been named the new Community Health Director for Mercy Health – Lorain, effective April 8, 2024. She will lead initiatives to promote community collaborations that will help address the unique health needs of the Lorain community.
“My journey in community health began after experiencing the loss of both my parents to AIDS, which propelled me to become a community health worker. With over 30 years of experience in this field and having started my career in the face of such adversity, I've witnessed firsthand the importance of access to quality healthcare and support systems,” said Marilyn. “Beyond offering resources, I've found solace and strength in the power of prayer, and I'm grateful to work in an organization that embraces and celebrates faith.”
Marilyn joins Mercy Health after a tenure as the inaugural Director for the Cleveland Clinic Center for Community Health Workers, a position in which she has a proven track record of connecting with underserved populations and advocating for their needs.
“Marilyn has a wealth of experience and that, teamed with her passion for service, is sure to benefit our ministry and the communities we serve,” said John Luellen, MD, market president of Mercy Health – Lorain and Youngstown. “We very much look forward to working with her and seeing the positive impacts she will bring.”
One of Marilyn’s first projects will be the health system’s upcoming Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) which kicks off next month. Taken every three years to identify the top health concerns in Lorain County, the survey uses community input to help set and establish priorities to address care gaps and provide local health resources with the goal of positively impacting the health and wellbeing of people living in the area.
The top focus areas identified in the latest assessment for Lorain County included chronic disease, mother and child care, mental health, substance abuse, cancer, and social bias. Mercy Health – Lorain is already working to address some of these issues through various community health programs. For instance, the Mercy Health Family Outreach Department cared for 173 pregnant women and their 137 newly born infants in 2023 and has impacted more than 5,000 lives over its 29-year history of providing services to the community. Additionally, the Mercy Health Faith-Based Community Nursing (parish nursing) has continued a long-standing partnership with 86 churches and congregations, connecting nearly 13,000 people with health care testing and education.
“Fostering collaboration and synergy, I aim to maximize our impact on the well-being of the communities we serve. What excites me most is the opportunity to directly serve people and families, making a tangible difference in their lives,” said Marilyn.
In addition to serving as Director of Community Health for Mercy Health – Lorain, Marilyn is also a mother of three adult children and two dogs.
“My journey in community health began after experiencing the loss of both my parents to AIDS, which propelled me to become a community health worker. With over 30 years of experience in this field and having started my career in the face of such adversity, I've witnessed firsthand the importance of access to quality healthcare and support systems,” said Marilyn. “Beyond offering resources, I've found solace and strength in the power of prayer, and I'm grateful to work in an organization that embraces and celebrates faith.”
Marilyn joins Mercy Health after a tenure as the inaugural Director for the Cleveland Clinic Center for Community Health Workers, a position in which she has a proven track record of connecting with underserved populations and advocating for their needs.
“Marilyn has a wealth of experience and that, teamed with her passion for service, is sure to benefit our ministry and the communities we serve,” said John Luellen, MD, market president of Mercy Health – Lorain and Youngstown. “We very much look forward to working with her and seeing the positive impacts she will bring.”
One of Marilyn’s first projects will be the health system’s upcoming Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) which kicks off next month. Taken every three years to identify the top health concerns in Lorain County, the survey uses community input to help set and establish priorities to address care gaps and provide local health resources with the goal of positively impacting the health and wellbeing of people living in the area.
The top focus areas identified in the latest assessment for Lorain County included chronic disease, mother and child care, mental health, substance abuse, cancer, and social bias. Mercy Health – Lorain is already working to address some of these issues through various community health programs. For instance, the Mercy Health Family Outreach Department cared for 173 pregnant women and their 137 newly born infants in 2023 and has impacted more than 5,000 lives over its 29-year history of providing services to the community. Additionally, the Mercy Health Faith-Based Community Nursing (parish nursing) has continued a long-standing partnership with 86 churches and congregations, connecting nearly 13,000 people with health care testing and education.
“Fostering collaboration and synergy, I aim to maximize our impact on the well-being of the communities we serve. What excites me most is the opportunity to directly serve people and families, making a tangible difference in their lives,” said Marilyn.
In addition to serving as Director of Community Health for Mercy Health – Lorain, Marilyn is also a mother of three adult children and two dogs.