WHO WE ARE
At Ascendant Healthcare Partners, we are dedicated to helping public health departments, healthcare organizations, and communities achieve measurable and sustainable improvements in health outcomes. With our expertise in Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNA), Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIP), health equity consulting, and strategic planning, we provide tailored solutions to address your unique health challenges.Our mission is simple: empowering communities to achieve better health through data-driven strategies and collaboration. As trusted partners, we work closely with public health agencies to design, implement, and evaluate programs that enhance healthcare access, reduce disparities, and improve overall well-being.
Our Mission and Vision
At Ascendant Healthcare Partners, our mission is to transform public health through strategic planning, data analysis, and health equity initiatives. We believe that every community deserves access to quality healthcare, and we work tirelessly to ensure that public health systems are strengthened and equipped to address the unique needs of their populations.
Our vision is to be a leader in public health consulting, known for our commitment to innovation, health equity, and community collaboration. By partnering with local, state, and tribal health departments, we aim to create long-term, impactful change that improves health outcomes for all.
Our Core Values
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Health Equity
We are passionate about reducing health disparities and ensuring that all populations, particularly underserved communities, have access to the care and resources they need to thrive. -
Data-Driven Solutions
Our approach is rooted in data analysis and evidence-based practices. We use comprehensive data to inform every decision, ensuring that our strategies lead to measurable results. -
Collaboration and Partnership
We believe that the best health outcomes are achieved through collaboration. We work hand-in-hand with public health departments, healthcare providers, and community stakeholders to create solutions that reflect the needs and priorities of the communities we serve. -
Sustainability
Our goal is to create sustainable health improvements that endure long after our involvement. We design strategies that are adaptable and scalable, ensuring lasting impact.
Our Expertise
At Ascendant Healthcare Partners, we offer a wide range of public health consulting services to help your organization meet its health improvement goals. Our team of experts brings decades of experience in the following areas:
1. Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNA)
We are leaders in conducting CHNAs, helping public health departments identify health priorities, assess social determinants of health (SDoH), and develop strategies to address the most pressing issues in their communities.
2. Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIP)
Following a CHNA, we develop actionable CHIPs that translate findings into long-term, measurable health improvement strategies. Our CHIP services ensure that health departments have a clear roadmap for achieving sustainable health goals.
3. Health Equity Consulting
We specialize in addressing health disparities through targeted health equity consulting. Our team helps organizations design and implement policies that ensure equitable access to healthcare for all populations, particularly underserved communities.
4. Strategic Planning for Public Health
Our strategic planning services provide public health departments with the tools they need to plan for the future. We help you develop adaptable, data-driven strategies that align with PHAB standards and meet your community’s specific health needs.
5. Health Literacy Consulting
Clear communication is critical for improving health outcomes. We offer health literacy consulting to ensure that your organization’s health information is accessible, understandable, and actionable for all patients.
Our Team
Our team of public health experts brings decades of experience in community health, strategic planning, and healthcare consulting. We are passionate about working with communities to create positive, sustainable health outcomes. Each member of our team is committed to helping public health departments, healthcare providers, and organizations address their most pressing challenges.
JoAnn Andrews
Founder, CEO
JoAnn Andrews is the Founder and CEO of Ascendant Healthcare Partners, a woman-owned business dedicated to transforming public health systems across the nation. With a deep expertise in public health consulting, JoAnn leads a team of professionals in delivering Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNA), Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIP), and strategic public health solutions that address complex community health challenges.
JoAnn has been appointed to the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Performance Improvement Oversight Committee, where she oversees initiatives related to strategic planning, Community Health Assessments (CHA), Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIP), and performance improvement. She is one of only ten national experts in using the Mobilizing for Action through Planning & Partnerships (MAPP) framework, demonstrating her leadership in public health strategy and planning.
JoAnn is also a site reviewer for the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), ensuring that public health departments meet the highest standards of performance and quality. In addition, she collaborates with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of the Healthy People 2030 initiative, helping to shape national health objectives and advance public health equity.
JoAnn’s dedication to public health has earned her several prestigious accolades, including the American Marketing Association (AMA) Marketer of the Year Award, the Marketing Strategy Award in Cardiovascular Healthcare from Frost & Sullivan, and the African Methodist Episcopal Church Sesquicentennial Hail the Heroes Distinguished Health Professional Award.
With a commitment to advancing health equity, reducing health disparities, and improving health outcomes, JoAnn’s leadership has positioned Ascendant Healthcare Partners as a trusted national leader in public health consulting. Her vision is rooted in empowering communities through data-driven strategies, evidence-based interventions, and collaborative planning. JoAnn’s innovative approach aligns with Healthy People 2030 goals and addresses the social determinants of health (SDoH) to create sustainable and measurable health improvements.
Sandra Whitehead
Senior Consultant
Sandra is a nationally recognized leader and has authored numerous papers and book chapters on workforce development, health in all policies (HiAP) and the built environment impacting community health. She was appointed in 2017 by the EPA Administrator to the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council and has a passion for working to improve communities and the lives of people living in them. Sandra has worked at all levels of government and has a wide network she can leverage to help you achieve your goals.
Sandra has worked with multiple jurisdictions to create a HiAP framework including: the City of Richmond, Virginia; the City of Cincinnati; Franklin County (MA) Regional Council of Governments and Kitsap County (OR). She is actively working with a consortium of partners in Pinellas County, Florida to implement a $1.3 million HiAP initiative funded by the Foundation for a Healthy St Petersburg which includes partnerships with: the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County; the Cities of St. Petersburg and Pinellas Park and Pinellas County. She recently published an article in the Journal of Environmental Health on intersectoral collaboration. In 2018, she taught a HiAP class with the World Health Organization.
Sandra's expertise in Health Impact Assessment (HIA) has been well honed over the past ten years. She has worked on over 25 HIAs across the US on a variety of topics ranging from state education policies to comprehensive plans. Sandra has trained over 500 professionals to conduct HIAs and serves on the Steering Committee of the Society of Practitioners of HIA (hiasociety.org).
Sandra's background includes almost 20 years of local government experience, over 11 years of public health work and teaching appointments at the University of Florida and Florida State University. She is currently the Program Director and Chair of the Department of Sustainable Urban Planning at George Washington University.
