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Program Officer and Program Coordinator to Help Meet Connecticut’s Growing Health Needs NEW BRITAIN, CONN. (02/22/07) - The Connecticut Health Foundation's efforts to address the states's growing health needs will benefit from the appointment of two staff members. CT Health President & CEO Patricia Baker recently announced the appointment of Onell Jesús Calderas as program officer and Madeline Pérez as program coordinator. Calderas and Pérez have varied experiences in multiple facets of public health and private industry. Calderas will be responsible for managing the grant portfolio for the foundation's Children's Mental Health priority area. He will provide technical assistance, monitor fiscal and program activities for grantees, and manage the procurement process for new grant applicants. "We are delighted to welcome Onell Calderas to the CT Health team," Baker said. "He brings diverse experience and talent in public health, along with dedication and commitment to working with organizations and public institutions." Prior to joining CT Health, Calderas served as a consultant in the areas of evaluation and quality assessment and improvement for the Connecticut Department of Public Health. He also worked for the City of Hartford Department of Health and Human Services and Hispanos Unidos, Inc. in New Haven. Calderas began his career at the Cataño Town Hall Housing Rehabilitation Program in Puerto Rico, before coming to Connecticut 12 years ago to complete his college education. His experience also includes work in New Haven's public schools. "I am excited to be part of the Connecticut Health Foundation family," said Calderas. "CT Health's commitment to innovation and systems change provides me with an opportunity to contribute to solving some of the health problems in our communities." A Yale University School of Public Health graduate, Calderas also is a board member of Leeway, Inc., a skilled nursing facility for people living with HIV/AIDS in New Haven, and a member of the New Haven Mayor's Task Force on AIDS.
CT Health also promoted Madeline Pérez, a former administrative assistant, to the position of program coordinator. Pérez will be responsible for coordinating the office of theVice President of Program and Evaluation and program-related meetings and events. She also will provide support to the Board of Director's Program Committee and program staff, and will participate in CT Health research. "I am delighted to have Madeline as CT Health program coordinator," Baker said. "She brings a wealth of experience in event planning, office administration and customer service. Her skills and experience already make a difference in the work of the foundation." Prior to her work for CT Health, Pérez worked in the retail industry. She was a supervisor at A.C. Moore, where she managed employees and addressed customer service needs. She also provided administrative support to the public sector in Puerto Rico. Pérez earned an Associates Degree in administration and accounting at the Interamericana University of Puerto Rico. "I am honored to serve as program coordinator here at the foundation, and look forward to working with my colleagues, grantees and leadership fellows to carry out the work of CT Health," Pérez said. The Connecticut Health Foundation (CT Health) is the state's largest independent, non-profit grantmaking foundation dedicated to improving the health of the people of Connecticut through systemic change, program innovation and health policy analysis. Since it was established in July of 1999, CT Health has awarded 348 grants in 43 cities and towns totaling over $28.2 million primarily in three priority areas -- children's mental health, racial and ethnic health disparities, and oral health. For additional information, visit www.cthealth.org. or call (860) 224-2200 or contact Maryland Grier, Public Affairs Officer, at (860) 224-2200 or maryland@cthealth.org.
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