Deidre Griffith’s experience in community engagement began as a young adult, knocking on doors with her uncle in southern Louisiana to educate community members about the risks of toxic waste dumping in their neighborhoods.
“He showed me what can be achieved when you authentically engage community and elevate the voices of people with lived experience,” Griffith says. “I’ve been fortunate to be in influential institutions that can affect change, but I have the clarity that the most impactful change occurs when you center community.”
At BJC Health, Griffith oversees the system-wide strategy to advance health equity, leading a team of professionals dedicated to removing socioeconomic barriers to better health outcomes.
“The primary theme throughout my career has been making the healthy choice the easy choice,” she says. “Addressing infant and maternal health, youth development, healthy eating and other urgent and emergent community needs such as firearm violence often involves addressing the social issues that stand in the way.”
The Fellowship, Griffith says, “is a chance to learn from other dynamic leaders who have their own lens and approaches to similar issues.”