Jackson, MS. –
Every day that there is delay in Title X funding is a day that patients across Mississippi and Tennessee go without care. This will create a cascading effect across the South, disrupting access to basic health care services such as cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, birth control, infertility care and more.
These disruptions will lead to increased negative health outcomes, including higher rates of unintended pregnancy and STIs. To ensure that providers can continue to meet the health care needs of people in Mississippi and Tennessee, we will comply with the requests outlined by HHS and demonstrate our adherence to this administration’s orders. People’s lives depend on it.
We look forward to a prompt response.
Jackson, MS,-
The Converge Community Engagement Team hosted a two-day training for our Community Connectors in Jackson, MS. Community Connectors (CCs) are individuals who are passionate about sexual and reproductive care and serve as advocates for the work Converge does within Mississippi and Tennessee.
Our Community Engagement Director, Jazamine and our Community Engagement Coordinator, Dasia, gave each CC a full course on what Converge is and what services we offer through GetPersonal. The CC’s were thoroughly engaged and truly excited about getting out in the community and spreading the knowledge about Converge.
They ended the training with a packing party for our Reprohealth Kits. The team was able to pack over 300 kits. We’re extremely thankful for each of them for taking time out to work with us.
Jackson, MS, Clarksdale, MS, Starkville, MS-
This Valentine’s Day, our GetPersonal Team decided to spread to love to a few college campuses. Our Community Engagement Coordinator, Dasia, and one of our Community Connectors, Genvieve, went on a college tour spreading the word on our services. They visited Jackson State University, Mississippi State University, and Coahoma Community College.
The students were extremely interested in learning about Converge, GetPersonal, and the many services we offer. A special thanks to each of them for having us. We look forward to visiting more colleges and universities in the future.
Jackson, MS-
On Friday, our Clinical Care Coordinator, Jaleesa, hosted the first GetPersonal Reprohealth Kit Packing Party at the Converge Headquarters. Our volunteers were composed of nursing students, community members, and interns.
The room was filled with great conversations about Converge, GetPersonal, and the many services we offer. Within just a few hours, the volunteers successfully filled 1,000 Reprohealth Kits for MS & TN Residents. We are thankful for each of them for coming out and supporting our mission. Each volunteer received community service hours and a small gift for their hard work.
Vicksburg, MS-
Converge Co-Founder, Jamie Bardwell, was awarded the Randy Caperton Public Health Administrator of the Year Award at the Mississippi Public Health Association Conference in Vicksburg, MS. This award is given to one who has made outstanding contributions to the Public Health Sector. Out of a pool of nominations, Jamie was chosen.
We are just honored to have her as one of our leaders and blessed she was recognized for the work she and Danielle accomplishes daily.
Minneapolis, MN-
Our Measurement, Learning, and Evaluation Team gathered last week to attend the American Public Health Association’s Annual Conference.
Training Manager, Dani Lahn, and Monitoring, Learning, and Evaluation Manager, Carmen Cummings, were able to meet a number of exhibitors and share the work we do at Converge. Dr. Ellie Smith, VP of MLE, presented at a session entitled, “Reproductive Justice Informed Reproductive Healthcare Provision and Access to Promote Health Equity”. She also sat on a panel with research partners from the University of Southern MS to discuss our GetPersonal ReproHealth Kits, STI Testing Kits, and access to contraception within MS.
The MLE team thoroughly enjoyed themselves. We appreciate that they continue to work extremely hard for Converge and we are so thankful for all they do.
Chicago, IL-
Our Medical Director, Renata Chatman, attended the 27th Annual Women’s Healthcare Conference hosted by the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health.
While in Chicago, IL, Renata was able to listen in and learn about the latest discoveries in women’s healthcare on topics such as: Addressing Misinformation, OB/GYN Coding, Abortion Care, Vulvovaginal Dermatology, and more. Attendees were also able to learn and earn up to 24 CE credits with sessions tailored for WHNPs, APRNs, CNMs, FNPs, and students. Renata was afforded the opportunity to network with tons of other healthcare providers.
We’re so proud of the expertise Renata brings to our organization & we look forward to her continued growth.
Atlanta, GA-
Chief of Staff, Jitoria Hunter, and VP of MLE, Dr. Ellie Smith attended the Black Maternal Health Conference and Training Institute in Atlanta, Georgia. This conference served as a forum dedicated to Black Maternal Health and ways to improve outcomes for black mothers.
Jitoria and Ellie’s presentation was entitled, “Converge’s GetPersonal and Reproductive Health Kits: Applying Reproductive Justice to Close the Gap for Black Birthing People’s Contraceptive Needs”. Attendees were fully engaged and intrigued on our progress in Mississippi.
We are extremely proud of the connections Jitoria and Ellie made. We know that our support and the support of other organizations is instrumental in the advancement of maternal health.
Philadelphia, PA-
MLE Team members Carmen Cummings and Dr. Ellie Smith, along with our TN Nurse Manager, Ashley Lacy, attended the National Reproductive Health Conference, hosted by the Clinical Training Center for Sexual and Reproductive Health in Philadelphia, PA. During the conference, Carmen and Ellie tabled at the expo for Converge Connect, Converge’s tailored, person-centered training arm for diverse learner populations.
Ellie also presented a poster presentation titled “Promoting Person-Centered Care: Improvement and Evaluation of a Person-Centered Contraceptive Counseling Online Training Course” on the evaluation and updating of Converge’s most popular online course, Person-Centered Contraceptive Counseling.
Converge was honored to join such a successful event and we are extremely proud of Ellie, Carmen, and Ashley.
Jackson, MS-
Audrey Sandusky is a seasoned public health communications and marketing professional with 15 years of experience in media advocacy, social marketing and television and online journalism.
Prior to Converge, Audrey served as Senior Director of Policy & Communications at the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA), a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit membership association representing safety-net family planning providers and administrators. Beginning in 2018, Audrey spearheaded NFPRHA’s national media outreach efforts in response to several high-profile legal cases impacting the Title X network, including the Trump-era Title X rule. With an extensive background in media, communications, and issue campaigns, Audrey also served as one of NFPRHA’s media spokespeople and played a key role in developing and amplifying various media advocacy and social marketing campaigns in support of NFPRHA’s nationwide membership.
Her passion lies in crafting narratives that highlight the individual and community-based impacts of reproductive health policies to increase public awareness and drive action.
Before joining NFPRHA, Audrey led media outreach for Robert Wood Johnson Foundation clinical scholars at IQ Solutions, a D.C.-area public affairs firm, and spent seven years supporting patient and issue advocacy efforts at the American Public Health Association and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. She started her career as a local TV news reporter for a CBS affiliate in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Audrey is a graduate of American University and received her Master’s in Public Health at George Washington University. Originally from Ohio, Audrey lives in Denver, Colorado, with her husband and two daughters.
We are happy to welcome Audrey and her expertise to our team!
All people deserve access to quality, affordable reproductive and sexual health care. Your support helps us expand access, training, and advocacy to improve the patient experience for everyone.