Jillian Hopewell Fellowship Recipients
Pamela Secada-Sayles, Senior Program Manager
Pamela Secada-Sayles is a doctoral candidate whose research centers on health care workforce well-being by addressing the overlooked needs of non-clinical health care staff, a gap her dissertation seeks to illuminate. She is deeply inspired by connection in all it’s forms: between people, within cultures and communities, and in story as a vehicle for that connection. Pamela’s experiences with community have served as the many lights that guide her path, from stories with her grandparents that connect her to heritage, to campus groups that allowed her to feel a sense of belonging in an otherwise challenging academic environment.
With every struggle, Pamela grew stronger in her commitment to creating inclusive communities and her desire to eliminate barriers and provide support for others. This followed her to her work with MCN’s Witness to Witness program, where she learned that a thriving community “starts with relationships—listening, learning, and standing together”. In her mission to ensure all people have access to the conditions that bring health and well-being, Pamela understands the importance of learning what communities need to help them thrive, and the power of reaching out to them with compassion and solidarity.
Jessica Calderón, Program Coordinator
Jessica Calderón is working toward a master’s in clinical mental health counseling from St. Edward’s University, with the goal of becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in bilingual care with a focus on trauma, anxiety, ADHD, and more. Jessica aims to improve health outcomes for communities by providing care that is informed by indigenous and holistic healing practices, her knowledge of health needs of people who are moving, and a commitment to continuous growth.
Jessica began her career with MCN six years ago, as an intern with the Ventanilla de Salud office in Austin, Texas. In her staff role, she has done work with Deliana Garcia in International and Emerging Issues and now works alongside Pamela Secada-Sayles and Kaethe Weingarten as part of the Witness to Witness program. Jessica’s experiences as part of these teams she says, have “shaped [her] approach to…mental health support for populations” and equipped her with the tools necessary to address barriers in care and seek improved health outcomes.
Myrellis Muñiz Márquez, Program Manager
Myrellis Muñiz Márquez is currently enrolled in a doctoral program with a focus on how social, economic, and environmental factors can affect health outcomes. The program has given Myrellis the opportunity to connect with partners across areas of expertise to address the core causes of health outcomes. These community-driven solutions help to eliminate the barriers to quality care that populations face.
Through their work with MCN, Myrellis advocates for the health of communities in the Caribbean, who are especially vulnerable to the health impacts of disaster. Other projects managed by Myrellis help to address gaps in care both in the Caribbean region and along the United States-Mexico border, through the development and evaluation of community-led interventions. As a public health professional, Myrellis recognizes the power of collaboration among other professionals, organizations, and community-based groups; these partnerships are key to the improvement of health and health access in populations of the Caribbean and beyond.
Elizabeth Gonzalez Ibarra, Project Coordinator
Motivated by seeing the struggles overcome by her own family, Elizabeth Gonzalez Ibarra is pursuing a paralegal certification to assist foreign-born communities in navigating the legal system. Elizabeth understands the importance of being present in the communities she serves. To support her advocacy, she has recently completed her community health worker (CHW) certification, a key step in equipping her with the skills necessary to provide meaningful community-based support.
Elizabeth’s pursuit of a paralegal certification is a natural progression of her previous role with MCN as a Health Network Associate. In this position, Elizabeth experienced the rewarding nature of hands-on work with people who are moving, as she helped them to establish health care in their next location. Elizabeth has made an incredible difference in these communities and will continue to do so as she furthers her career.
Saul Delgado, Data Operations Analyst
As part of his commitment to growth and innovation, Saul Delgado is working toward a certification in Python programming, which will help to improve MCN’s internal systems & data processing efficiency. Proficiency in this program will help Saul with automating tasks that require significant time to complete and provides the potential for the adoption of emergent technologies.
Saul has been with MCN for 12 years, joining the Research and Evaluation team in 2023. He has flourished in this role, tackling issues within our databases, continuously seeking new ways to streamline data collection, and making updates to improve user experience. His work is key to facilitating collaboration across MCN’s teams, empowering us with better means of data interpretation and tools for improved decision making.
Jannette Nuñez, Program Manager
Jannette Nuñez, a graduate student in public health, aims to improve community health by addressing the need for access to care and community programs. As a child, she experienced early exposure to the many barriers that prevent people from finding and utilizing basic services and resources. Witnessing these struggles would plant the first seed, inspiring Jannette to seek a career in community advocacy. With a background in political science and international relations, Jannette has been able to collaborate with city mayors, state legislators, and community groups, providing her with an understanding of the impact that policy has on resource access.
Her work with MCN completed the picture, revealing the full impact that a lack of health care has on the health well-being of communities. In Jannete’s current role as a program manager, she is a part of a research initiative that is focused on improving access to prenatal care and specialty care for children with complex medical needs within underserved communities. In pursuit of her Master’s degree, Jannette will develop the skills needed to create programs tailored to the unique needs of each community, helping to shape a better world for those she serves.
Rushil Jain, Communications Intern
Rushil Jain has been an intern with MCN since 2023, motivated by our organization’s focus on public health and community engagement. He has worked on a variety of projects with multiple teams. His work with the Communications team has included conducting interviews with community health centers regarding their work with farmworkers and writing blog posts about health at the US-Mexico border. As part of Health Network, Rushil has helped to advocate for care for new arrivals, bringing attention to the many barriers that arise when people must navigate a new health care system when they move.
Rushil’s internship with MCN supports his education and career goals. Currently, he is an undergraduate of Medical Sciences and Biology at Saint Louis University and a part of the Medical Scholars program, with the goal of becoming a physician for rural, underserved populations. Rushil states, “Medicine is not just about prescriptions, rather it is a process of personally connecting with patients.” He recognizes that trust, empathy, and understanding are necessary to provide care to his future patients and is eager to learn more as part of his advocacy for these communities, through his work with MCN.
Andréa Gerber, Communications Intern
Andréa Gerber is a recent graduate from Salisbury University, receiving Bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and photography, along with a minor in Environmental Studies. Inspired by MCN’s impact in the world of environmental and public health, Andréa joined the Environmental and Occupational Health and Communication teams, bringing along a well-suited breadth of knowledge.
During her internship, Andréa is focused on skill development, pursuing opportunities to learn more about the health barriers that communities must overcome, and how to best document and create narratives about these populations and their hardships. She understands the power of story, and the ways that “art and design can be used bring awareness and education” on the effects that health issues can have on their well-being. In addition to advocacy, Andréa is also interested in education, seeking to aid in the development of engaging resources and presentations for underserved communities, as well as the clinicians that serve them.