Better Health Partnership

📣 Lead testing has risen from 69.3% to 77.1%!

Lead testing rates across Cleveland continue to trend upward, reaching 77.1% as of April 30! Our June goal of 79.0% is within reach, thanks to the collective efforts of our health system partners and community organizations.

This work is part of the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition’s commitment to addressing the lead poisoning crisis in our community. Better Health Partnership administers the initiative on behalf of the Coalition in partnership with a broad collaborative of provider, community, and public health partners.

This is what collaboration looks like in action.

🏳️‍🌈 Pride in the CLE is almost here!

Hosted by the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland, this annual celebration honors our region’s LGBTQ+ community and champions equity for all.

Huge thanks to all sponsors and presenters — including MetroHealth — for supporting this powerful event.

Pride in the CLE uplifts joy, visibility, and advocacy for equitable treatment for all in our community, and we’re honored to stand alongside our partners in this work.

📅 Date: Saturday, June 6
🕛 Time: 11 AM to 6 PM
📍 Location: Malls B & C, 401 St Clair Ave NE, Cleveland, Ohio

💙 We’re grateful to Pregnant with Possibilities Resource Center for sharing new lead poisoning prevention education during a recent Neighborhood Leadership Institute community baby shower.

Partnerships like this strengthen our shared commitment to keeping families safe and informed.

Explore resources: https://hubs.la/Q04jv4Sh0

🎉Friday is Community Health Worker Day!

We’re excited to celebrate the CHWs who make our region stronger, healthier, and more connected. Thank you to our generous sponsors and to our partners at Cuyahoga Community College and Cleveland State University for co-hosting this year’s celebration.

CHWs are essential, and we can’t wait to celebrate their impact!

💙 Safe Babies Ohio is bringing together partners across Cuyahoga County to better support infants, toddlers, and families at risk of entering the child welfare system.

Recently, the Safe Babies Community Team identified key systemic barriers—like housing shortages, childcare costs, and the complexity of accessing resources—that place families on a difficult path. Better Health Partnership is proud to collaborate on this work, strengthening cross‑sector systems so every family has the chance to thrive.

Read more about how Safe Babies and Better Health Partnership are working together to drive community‑wide change.
https://hubs.la/Q04j9ZL60

🎉 We’re excited to welcome Debra Nyikes to the Better Health Partnership Board of Directors!

Debra brings 40 years of healthcare finance experience, including 25 years at Cleveland Clinic overseeing financial operations for the Children’s Hospital, primary care, hospital medicine, and value‑based care. She’s a dedicated mentor, community volunteer, and lifelong Clevelander passionate about improving health outcomes across Northeast Ohio.

We’re honored to have her leadership and wealth of expertise guiding our work. Welcome, Debra!

Learn more: https://hubs.la/Q04hWdgq0

💈A Cleveland barbershop is taking community health to the next level!

Better Health Partnership is excited to join Major League Barbershop, the American Heart Association, MetroHealth, and Molina Healthcare of Ohio in launching the B/Pressure initiative — bringing free blood pressure education and screenings directly into the Lee‑Miles community.

This pilot meets people where they are, increases awareness, and connects residents to primary care to reduce cardiovascular risk.

Learn how a neighborhood barbershop is helping save lives: https://hubs.la/Q04hkHGm0

📣 Welcoming Aimee Budnik, PhD, RD/N, LD as Chief Operating Officer!

We’re thrilled to welcome Aimee H. Budnik, PhD, RD/N, LD as Better Health Partnership’s new Chief Operating Officer!

Aimee brings more than two decades of leadership experience across public health, community-based services, quality improvement, and health equity. Her career includes impactful roles at Community Action Akron Summit, Summit County Public Health, Kent State University, and national improvement initiatives — all rooted in a deep commitment to strengthening systems and improving outcomes for families and communities.

From leading major community programs to national QI projects, Aimee brings the expertise, collaboration, and vision that will help us deepen our partnerships across health care, social services, and community organizations. We’re excited for the leadership she’ll bring as we continue working together to create healthier, more equitable communities across Northeast Ohio.

Please join us in welcoming Aimee to the Better Health Partnership team!

Learn more: https://hubs.la/Q04g-fb_0

🔖 Lead Safety Q&A with Elizabeth Kelley of Neighborhood Family Practice

We recently connected with Elizabeth Kelley, Lead Poisoning Prevention Clinical Lead at Neighborhood Family Practice and clinical lead for the Lead Safe Screening & Testing Program. This program is part of the broader work of the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition.

Elizabeth shared thoughtful insights about risk assessment and screening, developmental & broader health impacts, and provider-family communication. Her responses offer a deeper look at the work happening in our community to protect children and families.

Read More: https://hubs.la/Q04gwT--0

📣 Welcoming Dr. Wyatt Bensken to Our Board of Directors

We’re excited to welcome Dr. Wyatt Bensken to the Better Health Partnership Board of Directors!

Dr. Bensken is a leader in health data, research, and strategy whose work strengthens care quality and advances population health. His research uses real‑world clinical and community data to improve outcomes for underserved and rural populations, inform policy, and explore the role of emerging technologies like AI.

We’re grateful to have his expertise and partnership as we continue driving equitable, data‑informed improvements across Northeast Ohio. Welcome, Dr. Bensken!