Director, Content/Communications
St. Luke’s Health System
FOCUS
Leading content and communications for St. Luke’s Health System in Boise, Idaho, Daniel believes in a world where people are valued, included, supported, respected and celebrated—a world where people have access to everything they need to be healthy and connected. His vision for a Culture of Health has been rooted in his work addressing the social determinants of health. Daniel’s previous efforts in community health and engagement included supporting refugees in resettlement initiatives, collaborating on multi-sector partnerships to tackle chronic homelessness, raising awareness about intimate partner violence, and advocating for suicide prevention and mental health. Building partnerships to address some of the most significant health issues in his community is one of Daniel’s passions.
Daniel’s vision for creating a Culture of Health is focused on building a partnership with a local human rights organization to champion inclusion and respect. This nonprofit collaboration has resulted in an online course, with the goal of providing education around systemic racism, which the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation notes “harms individuals and hurts the health of our nation by unfairly lifting up some and oppressing others.” The course, through video and text, calls out discrimination while also equipping people to have conversations that may be difficult and uncomfortable. The goal of the course is to empower people to lean in and speak out against discrimination, creating healthier communities for all.
Daniel is looking forward to connecting with people from across the nation who are building healthier, more equitable communities and contributing partnerships and programs that address obstacles to health and wellbeing.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVE: Conversations, not Confrontations
I strive for inclusivity, kindness, justice, and civility. I believe these are vital components that underpin a Culture of Health in communities across the nation. For my strategic initiative, I am partnering with the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights, a nonprofit, nonpartisan, community-driven organization in Boise, Idaho, to develop “Conversations, not Confrontations,” a multifaceted program that will feature an online module with a short film, classroom posters, and community billboards. Each enduring component promotes respect while providing a framework that models healthy and inclusive dialogue. The program will spotlight health inequities caused by exclusion in Idaho, with the long-term goal of fostering a culture and climate of human rights in Boise, benefiting all through a more inclusive community. We were inspired by a well-known quote from Eleanor Roosevelt, who said, “We have to face the fact that either all of us are going to die together or we are going to learn to live together, and if we are to live together, we have to talk.”
MORE ABOUT DANIEL
Originally from Wyoming, Daniel brings a passion for storytelling and supporting people. He has demonstrated that passion and used his communications and community engagement skills by working to improve access to affordable higher education, fundraising to support youth experiencing homelessness, and serving as a spokesperson for civil discourse. Daniel’s love of community has guided his work, which has included supporting the launch of the “community school” resource model in Idaho’s Treasure Valley and working toward enhancing the built environment to create places and spaces conducive to healthy living. Daniel holds close the values of kindness, civility, inclusion, and collaboration as he contributes to creating a Culture of Health.
Click here to watch Daniel’s Legacy Project video.