BEC & MIPPA Leads TA Call – Innovations in Reaching Out to Hard-to-Reach Populations

Rosalind Newsholme joined NCOA in November 2023, and serves as the primary point of contact for the Benefits Enrollment Centers in the Western Region.  She has over 10 years of experience supporting and advocating on behalf of older adults.  Ros’ previous work focused on helping older adults to understand, apply for and appeal public benefits decisions relating to Medicare, MSP, LIS, Medicaid, food security and affordable housing.  Ros is passionate about working to increase access to life-changing benefits.  She has a Juris Doctor Degree from the Penn State Dickinson School of Law and a Bachelors Degree in Communication and Sociology from Muhlenberg College, both in Pennsylvania.  Ros is British-American and moved to the United States from England and South Africa as a child.

Debra Wood is the Director of Programs and Policy at the Community Health Initiative of Orange County, with over 20 years of experience in the healthcare nonprofit sector, specializing in supporting marginalized populations, including older adults. In her previous role as Director of Nutrition Education and Hunger Prevention at Kings Community Action Organization, she managed key programs such as the Food Bank and SNAP-ED. Debra has extensive experience collaborating with community-based organizations, committees, taskforces, stakeholders, and elected officials. She is passionate about ensuring that resources for older adults are accessible and provided with dignity and respect. Debra holds a Master of Science in Health Services Administration from Cal State, San Bernardino, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UC Riverside.

Nanci Paz is a Patient Navigator Supervisor and oversees the outreach patient navigation team. Nanci is passionate about assisting individuals with accessing and understanding needed resources and support navigating our complex health care system as well as making a positive impact on our communities by building meaningful connections, engaging with diverse groups.

Sandra is the Patient Navigator Lead and provides support to the in clinic and outreach Patient Navigator teams. Sandra is passionate about assisting individuals with accessing resources and health care, as well as advocating for individual and community health needs.

Rachel is the Patient Navigator Supervisor and overseer of the in-clinic Patient Navigator team. Rachel and her team help with Medicaid, Medicare, Marketplace insurance, housing, food insecurity, financial assistance, Social Security, and many other SDOH needs. Rachel is passionate about assisting underserved populations and advocating for community needs.