Meet
Dr. Zach Hermes
Meet Dr. Zach Hermes, our partner from Odessa Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Dr. Zachary Hermes is a Fellow at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the founder of Odessa Health, one of our Mental Health Equity project partners. Driven by a profound commitment to community-centered healthcare, Dr. Hermes founded Odessa Health in response to pervasive disparities and limited access to care. Since its inception in 2020, Odessa Health has evolved to meet the needs of the communities it serves, developing new initiatives to enhance community well-being. Drawing from his experiences as a medical professional, Dr. Hermes advocates for transformative changes in healthcare. He emphasizes the importance of rebuilding trust between marginalized communities and healthcare institutions, fostering community engagement and collaborations, and promoting diversity within the healthcare workforce.
What motivated the creation of Odessa Health?
The founding of Odessa Health was motivated by a commitment to holistic, community-centered healthcare. Observing significant healthcare disparities, long-standing health inequities, and limited access to care in underserved areas, especially within my own community, sparked a desire to contribute to a solution that addresses these challenges. Inspired by pioneers like Odessa Brown (who Odessa is named after) along with many many others, Odessa Health was established to enhance community well-being by improving access to empowering, credible information, holistic care, and prioritizing systems-based approaches to the social determinants of health, aiming for a future where health equity is a reality for everyone.
Note: Odessa Brown, born in 1920, was a staunch advocate for ensuring access to quality healthcare for African-American children and underserved communities in Seattle. Dr. Hermes’ time at the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic in Seattle, named for Odessa Brown, has profoundly influenced his professional endeavors.
Observing significant healthcare disparities, long-standing health inequities & limited access to care in underserved areas, especially within my own community, sparked a desire to contribute to a solution that addresses these challenges.
How has Odessa Health developed over time?
Initially focused on school-based social-emotional health, Odessa Health has evolved into a comprehensive community health initiative. Our approach now encompasses youth development, mental health support, and preventive care for chronic diseases, all underpinned by a commitment to community empowerment. This evolution has been shaped by partnerships with grassroots organizations, community institutions, and feedback from those we serve, allowing us to adapt to emerging community priorities more effectively.
How can partnerships advance Odessa Health's mission?
Partnerships, particularly with organizations like Vital CxNs, are pivotal in advancing our mission by fostering spaces for empowering health information and equitable care. Such collaborations bring innovative solutions and resources, and together, we aspire to build a health ecosystem centered on community, equity, and well-being, driving systemic change to make health a universal right, not a privilege.
The fact that there is a more than 3 decade life expectancy gap between Roxbury & Back Bay says a lot.
How are Boston's healthcare institutions perceived by the community?
Boston's healthcare institutions, known worldwide for their contributions to biomedical science and medical innovations, are viewed as valuable yet critiqued for issues related to accessibility and equity. The relationship with local communities is complex, with an increasing awareness and emphasis by the institutions on community engagement. The fact that there is a more than 3 decade life expectancy gap between Roxbury and Back Bay says a lot. Building trust, institutional humility, and a genuine collaborative spirit is essential for providing more equitable care, but more importantly, for developing meaningful strategies to influence the broader social determinants impacting health.
What are the greatest opportunities for change in healthcare?
Significant opportunities for transformation lie in adopting a holistic health perspective, centering community-based partnerships, leveraging person-centered technologies for broader access, and reforming healthcare education and policy to emphasize preventive care, equity, and a more diverse workforce for tomorrow. A shift towards a healthcare system that is adaptable, embedded within the community, and cost-effective is essential for reducing disparities, improving outcomes, and overcoming health inequities that have been entrenched and largely unchanged for decades.
To rebuild trust, institutions must engage with and listen to community voices, address historical injustices & current inequities through meaningful investments… & prioritize transparency, humility & inclusivity.
How can institutions rebuild trust with communities?
To rebuild trust, institutions must engage with and listen to community voices, address historical injustices and current inequities through meaningful investments—not just words, and prioritize transparency, humility, and inclusivity. Efforts like forming empowered community advisory boards, investing in health equity research and care innovation, and creating programs to diversify healthcare professionals are steps in the right direction for establishing long-lasting, positive impacts.
How can healthcare providers improve cultural competence?
Improving cultural competence involves recognizing patients' dignity and understanding the broader context affecting their health. Moving beyond the concept of competence towards humility, respect, and awareness of biases is crucial. Recruiting a diverse workforce that mirrors the community's demographics can enhance understanding, trust, and the quality of care provided.
Written by Adede Appah-Sampong (March 2024)