McLaren Health Plan, the 260,000-member insurance plan and part of the statewide McLaren Health Care based in Grand Blanc, named Yvanna Marlin-Guanga to the newly created position of health equity officer.
The role was developed to advance access to care by addressing social, health, and racial inequities in the communities it serves.
“Diversity, equity, and inclusion have long been part of our culture at McLaren Health Plan,” says Nancy Jenkins, president and CEO of McLaren Health Plan. “Creating and formalizing the position of health equity officer marks another step forward in our pledge to embed diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything we do.”
Marlin-Guanga has more than 10 years of public health and health equity experience. She will be responsible for defining, implementing, and administering unified strategies to identify and eliminate health care disparities, achieve equitable access, and support the diverse cultural, language, economic, education, and health status needs of members and communities.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recently announced the selection of Marlin-Guanga to its first ever Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Advisory Council. The council reflects the perspectives necessary for an inclusive, community-driven approach to SDOH and will guide the implementation of the SDOH Hub pilot projects and develop recommendations for future iterations of the group’s work.
“I am thrilled to join the McLaren Health Plan team and also to be chosen for the SDOH advisory council,” Marlin-Guanga says. “I feel fortunate to lead the strategy for a mission-driven organization and champion efforts to remove barriers to care and help people thrive. I am looking forward to helping our members and staff as well as the communities we serve achieve their best health.”
