Community Partners

The Children’s Healthcare Access Program is a broad community collaboration involving Priority Health, local hospitals, medical clinics, pediatric practices, human services agencies and foundations.  It is only possible because of the willingness of all participants to be innovative so that we can better serve our community’s children.

Major Partners:
Priority Health
Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital
Cherry Street Health Services
GVSU Family Health Center
ABC Pediatrics
Alger Pediatrics
Forest Hills Pediatrics
Kent Pediatrics
Asthma Network of West Michigan
Saint Mary’s Health Care
Spectrum Health Healthier Communities
Great Start Collaborative of Kent County

Staff

Maureen Kirkwood, Program Manager
mkirkwood@firststepskent.org
616-632-1010

Tom Peterson, MD, Medical Director (In Kind)
tom.peterson@spectrum-health.org

Sharona Dempsey, Community Health Worker
sdempsey@firststepskent.org
616-632-1017

Aaminah Hernandez, Administrative Assistant
ahernandez@firststepskent.org
616-632-1015

Amelia Lopez, Community Health Worker
alopez@firststepskent.org
616-632-1017

Becky Oliver, CHAP Asthma Educator
boliver@firststepskent.org
616-632-1016

Nancy VanHouten, Nurse Case Manager
nvanhouten@firststepskent.org
616-632-1013

Rebeca Velazquez, Resource Coordinator
rvelazquez@firststepskent.org
616-632-1014