The LEON Health Committee has four goals:

To advocate for the improvement of Latino health in Columbus.

To create a culturally competent environment in which Latino health needs are met by increasing communication, awareness and collaboration among health care and social service providers in the community.

To inform the community about the health needs of Latinos through awareness and advocacy efforts.

To empower Latinos to become active participants in their own health care by providing them with educational and resource materials.

You are invited to join our monthly meetings. When: Last Thursday of every month, 8:30am, Where: Columbus Public Health . 240 Parson Ave. Room119B

Our Activities

¡Abrete Sésamo! (Open Sesame!) - Thanks to funding from the Columbus Medical Association Foundation, the LEON Health Committee launched ¡Abrete Sésamo! in 2005. This project provides workshops in the community to help limited English speaking Latinos learn how to use and access local health care services. Other project partners include OSU Medical Center, Columbus Public Health, Children's Hospital, and OhioHealth. For information on workshops and sponsorship opportunities, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , CHES, OTS, program coordinator, 159 South Hamilton Rd., Columbus, OH 43213, telephone:614-231-8879. See our Abrete Sesamo newsletter. (PDF, 2.10MB)

The May 31, 2006 Health Symposium - "Reaching the Latino Community: Opportunities, Challenges and Experiences," at Columbus Public Health drew more than 100 health and social services professionals committed to serving the Latino community. The symposium was the first one held by the LEON Health Committee. Sponsors included the Central Ohio Diabetes Association and Columbus Public Health. For more information on the symposium and next year's event, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , OhioHealth Research Institute.

Directorio de Salud/Health Directory - With sponsorship from OhioHealth, the committee published its 2007-08 bilingual Directorio de Salud/Health Directory, which lists health care services, including mental health services, in Columbus. For free copies of the directory, please call 614-231-8879. View the Directorio de Salud 2006-07 (PDF, 1347KB).

Health Fairs - The LEON Health Committee held its first health fair April 30, 2006 at El Centro Católico Latino. As part of the Hispanic Scholarship fund Walk-a-Thon, the committee held the Health and Safety Fair at COSI in October 14, 2006. For information on upcoming health fairs, call 614-231-8879.

2006-2008 Committee Members

Nora Hesse
Chair
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
OSU Extension

Co-Chairs
Alvin Brea
Ana Claudia Zubieta

Liz Adamshick
United Way of Central Ohio
CARE Columbus Program Director

Aireen Aguilar
Las Damas Latinas

Karen Brown
Epilepsy Foundation of Central Ohio

Wynette Collins
Columbus Public Health

Christine Kozobarich
Children's Defense Fund

Marí­a Carmen Lambea
OSU Department of Human Nutrition

Cathy Levine
Universal Health Care Action Network of Ohio (UHCAN Ohio)

Christina Wilson
Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence

Katherine Zapata
Abrete Sesamo
Ana Claudia Zubieta