Clarene Mitchell
Clarene Mitchell has joined Milwaukee Health Services, Inc. as their Corporate Communications Specialist. Mitchell is respected locally for her long history of working to address racial health disparities. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Cardinal Stritch University and experience in print journalism, establishing and managing community based health initiatives, and advancing the public profile of nonprofits.
“Clarene’s passion for improving the health of African Americans coupled with her communication expertise will be a tremendous benefit to the work of our organization” stated C.C. Henderson, president/ CEO of Milwaukee Health Services, Inc. “For some years now I have had the opportunity to not only observe but also see the impact of her tenacity and skills”, continued Henderson “We are excited to have her on our team and look forward to her dynamic presence.”
As the Corporate Communications Specialist, Mitchell duties will include advancing the organization’s public image, facilitating business and government partnerships, fundraising strategy efforts and special projects. An initial area of concentration will focus on increasing the public image and utilization of MHSI’s Convenient Care Clinic that operates in the Midtown Piggly Wiggly. MHSI, opened the Clinic in October 2009 in partnership with Managed Health Services. The Clinic, which is owned and operated by MHSI, was the first retail based clinic to be opened by a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) on a national basis.
Mitchell’s most recent professional experience includes her work in increasing awareness, acceptance and utilization of hospice services within the African American community through her work with VITAS Innovative Hospice Care. Her professional history includes managing programs and public relations interests for Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin, Inc. Prior to then she was a Health Communications officer for the City of Milwaukee Health Department, the health and education liaison for Mayor John O. Norquist, in addition to other roles with organizations such as Sojourner Truth House, American Lung Association, Lisbon Avenue Neighborhood Development and the Milwaukee Urban League.
Her communications experience has included providing crisis communications management and utilizing mass media to advocate health issues of importance. Mitchell has been published nationally and her grassroots outreach efforts have garnered national attention and financial support for local health initiatives. She has been a reporter for the Milwaukee Community Journal, Milwaukee Times, Milwaukee Courier and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Mitchell has also organized large community events that have included health fairs and symposiums, as well as public forums within the African American community on topics that often went unaddressed otherwise and allowed for interfacing with officials.
Milwaukee Health Services, Inc. (MHSI) is a private, nonprofit, Federally Qualified Community Health Center (FQHC) that provides a comprehensive range of primary medical, dental and behavioral healthcare, in addition to a limited number of specialty services. MHSI’s mission is to provide quality, primary and related health services to medically underserved families and individuals. MHSI is committed to removing barriers and improving health outcomes to promote quality of life and reduce disparities among racial and ethnic communities.
MHSI’s main clinics are the MLK Heritage Health Center at 2555 N. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and the Isaac Coggs Heritage Health Center at 8200 W. Silver Spring Drive.