About
At Dignity Health Collective, we believe that healthcare has become too individualistic, with an expectation for everyone to heal in the same way in highly commoditized and impersonal experiences. The need for dignity in healthcare is rooted in the truth that people are human, with unique experiences and an innate capacity for healing.
Founders
Candias Jones, President
Candias is the Executive Director of Girls, Inc, a professional coach and consultant and public speaker. Her passion to help people live authentic, purpose driven lives led her to launch a business, Coaching with Candi. She is passionate about our communities, equality, transformation, healing and justice
Julie Luzarraga, Vice President
Julie is a licensed clinical social worker, business owner, and coach. In 2011, she founded Omaha Integrative Care, which became the leading health and wellness practice in Nebraska. Julie focuses on promoting health equity, collective leadership, and sustainability for individuals and systems in her work.
Our Board
Lenora Salts, Board Member
Lenora Salts is a dedicated and compassionate individual, making significant strides in the field of healthcare and community advocacy. She serves as a Sr. Benefits Analyst at Creighton University, where her expertise and passion converge to create positive impacts on the lives of others. She uses her analytical skills to ensure that the healthcare benefits are not only accessible but also equitable. Her dedication to community engagement extends beyond the university walls, as she is committed to collaborating with local organizations to address health disparities affecting marginalized populations.
Jean Hartnett, Board Member
Jean Hartnett is a visionary health care leader with over 30 years of executive experience serving the older adult population. Jean brings practical, consultative guidance to the healthcare, community and business leaders, from the unique perspective of the frontline employee. With a commitment to fostering a culture of holistic healing, Jean’s expertise not only encompasses the technical knowledge but also the heartfelt understanding that true recovery requires.
Colleen Woodward, Board Member
Colleen is a Board Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner healthcare provider and nurse educator. She has been educating nurses for over a decade, as a Director of undergraduate nursing programs, teaching hospital based clinicals for multiple universities through the lens of Population Health — Social Determinant of Health focus. Our health is intricately woven into where we live, work, and play. Educating others in the hands on work of providing clinical care with an equity, trauma informed, holistic lens.
Mission
Our mission as a collective is to engage with and create systems that empower people to shape their own healthcare experiences.
The Who — Patients and entry level providers with and innate healing
capabilities and diverse backgrounds
The What — Expand the mental health care landscape to better serve
patients, and close gaps in access and representation
The How — Train support specialists, advocate for policies and insurance coverage
We train individuals with innate healing capabilities to provide mental health care support to providers and patients through a specialized training program. We close representation gaps and fortify the mental health workforce by addressing education requirement barriers and supporting providers.
By training team members who represent diverse populations, we expand the workforce and enhance access to quality care for all.