Meet Michael Reese’s New Program Directors: Rashonda Johnson, PhD and Gina Massuda Barnett, MPH
We are thrilled to announce the addition of Rashonda Johnson, PhD as the new Program Director, Strategic Initiatives and Gina Massuda Barnett as Program Director, Health Workforce.
As the Program Director, Strategic Initiatives, Rashonda will manage current Michael Reese strategic initiatives and support the development of new and emerging health projects that support community-led innovation and power-building. Rashonda will also manage the Health First Collaborative (HFC), a collaboration of funding partners, community organizations, and other stakeholders working together to strengthen public health infrastructure through grantmaking, advocacy, and learning.
As the Program Director, Health Workforce, Gina will play a pivotal role in driving the foundation’s mission to strengthen the health workforce and integrate community health workers permanently into the public health system. Gina will leverage the trusted expertise and lived experiences of community health workers to enhance the health and well-being of Chicagoland communities.
These roles will be at the forefront of redefining philanthropy by creating new approaches centered on community needs, ideas, and input. As Program Directors at Michael Reese Health Trust, they will focus on building partnerships that bridge public and private sectors to address the region’s most pressing health challenges.
Join us in welcoming Rashonda and Gina! Connect with Rashonda and Gina directly to learn more.
About Rashonda and Gina:
Rashonda Johnson, PhD, Program Director, Strategic Initiatives
Dr. Rashonda Johnson is a highly accomplished leader specializing in program and project management, grant development and writing, strategic partnerships, and research. With a focus on social justice, DEI, and health equity, Dr. Johnson has previously driven significant initiatives in public health and worked extensively with funders at the local, state, and federal levels. She most recently served as a researcher at Evident Change and was instrumental in crafting research and evaluation methodologies for social justice initiatives. Prior to this role, Dr. Johnson also served as the Director of Health Justice at Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago (PHIMC) and was responsible for the oversight of a robust portfolio of programming targeting HIV, substance use, and incarceration.
Dr. Johnson, a Chicago native, is passionate about collaborating with communities to identify problems, assess strengths, and work towards equitable and lasting solutions.
She holds a PhD in Community Psychology from National Louis University and advanced degrees in Social Work from the University of Illinois Chicago and Springfield. Known for her transformational leadership and passion for systemic change, Dr. Johnson combines academic rigor with practical experience to make a lasting impact.
Outside of her professional work, Dr. Johnson loves to read, exercise, and engage in DIY projects.
Gina Massuda Barnett, MPH, Program Director, Health Workforce
Gina Massuda Barnett is a seasoned public health leader. She most recently served as the Deputy Director of Public Health Programs at the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH), the state-certified public health department for most of suburban Cook County, Illinois. In this role, Gina oversaw the Division of Community Health and the community health planning process for CCDPH’s jurisdiction. She further provided strategic management of the COVID-19-related grants awarded to CCDPH to ensure alignment with the agency’s strategic direction and priorities.
Gina has more than 20 years of experience with CCDPH where she cultivated strong partnerships and led organizational and community change initiatives promoting healthy living and equity. She has been recognized for her leadership in public health and holds a Bachelor’s in Science degree from Vanderbilt University and a Master’s in Public Health degree with a concentration in Health Behavior and Health Education from the University of Michigan, School of Public Health.
In her personal time, Gina finds joy in connecting with her husband and two children, spending time with family and friends, and being physically active – especially in nature.
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