Public Health Solutions (PHS) has named Bill Bernstein, partner and leader of Manatt Health; Dr. Christina Jenkins, venture partner at Phoenix Venture Partners and former CEO of OneCity Health; and Trevor Price, CEO of Oxeon Holdings and general partner of Town Hall Ventures, 2021 “Champions of Public Health” for their work leading the NYC COVID-19 Rapid Response Coalition (Coalition). The Coalition was formed by a cross-sector team of New York health care leaders to support medically vulnerable and underserved New Yorkers during the COVID-19 crisis, aiming to remove barriers to health and getting help where it was most needed.
In addition to cofounding the initiative, Bernstein led a Manatt team that provided strategic and project management guidance, subject matter expertise on Medicaid and uninsured populations, fundraising support, and facilitation of a sustainability plan to embed Coalition operations into PHS.
Bringing together more than 75 organizations operating on a pro bono basis, the Coalition has connected New Yorkers with clinical and social support services, distributed test kits to front-line community-based organizations, delivered more than 190,000 meals, and procured and distributed eight tons of personal protective equipment. Its efforts throughout the pandemic helped protect at-risk New Yorkers from contracting COVID-19 and minimized acute episodes related to their preexisting conditions.
In July 2020, the Coalition’s operations were fully integrated with PHS’s Healthcare Community Partnerships, helping to expand its impact for the duration of the pandemic and beyond. The Coalition remains laser focused on four critical areas:
- Emergency food, testing and other supply distribution
- Technology outreach, integration and engagement
- Expansion of coordinated, accountable social service networks
- Capacity building to deliver clinical and social needs to vulnerable populations in the home
Additionally, the Coalition is committed to serving as a forum for information sharing in support of the equitable distribution and administration of the COVID-19 vaccine in communities across New York City.
The Champions of Public Health awards are part of PHS’s 2021 Health Reimagined campaign, focused on ensuring that New Yorkers’ addresses, jobs or education levels do not determine the quality of their health care. Money raised through the campaign will be dedicated to building a new infrastructure that supports optimal health for all New Yorkers.
To learn more about PHS, click here.