Anthonika Titus said her interest in health equity began in her formative years when she witnessed the disparities in healthcare access and quality in her community.
Growing up in Haiti, I saw firsthand how socio-economic factors, geography, and lack of resources affected people’s health outcomes. This motivated me to pursue a career where I could make a tangible difference.
She began her role as Operations Director at NOVA Hope for Haiti shortly after finishing her 2023 fellowship year.
After completing my education and gaining experience in various health-related roles, I was drawn to NOVA Hope for Haiti due to its mission and potential for impact. I was driven by a vision to transform the clinic into a beacon of hope and quality care for our community.
At the time of her arrival, she says the clinic had an average monthly attendance of around 450 people and the staff was demotivated, conflicted and anxious, and the center suffered from a poor reputation. Faced with these challenges, she says she relied on the leadership principles and health equity strategies learned during her time as an Atlantic Fellow for Health Equity, initiating team-building activities, introducing storytelling as a communication tool, and establishing regular and transparent communication with the staff. She delegated responsibilities and transitioned from a traditional leadership role to a servant leadership approach, focusing on empowering each team member.
She also focused on increasing attendance at the clinic by implementing community outreach programs to rebuild trust and inform the public about the improvements at NOVA.
This included:
- Regular meetings with community leaders and residents to discuss the changes and gather feedback.
- Conducting educational sessions on various health topics, highlighting the quality of care at NOVA.
- Collaborating with local organizations and influencers to amplify their message.
- Sharing success stories and patient testimonials through social media and local media channels to showcase the positive impact of their work.
- Extending clinic hours and streamlining patient flow to make services more accessible and efficient.
In May 2024, the NOVA Executive Committee commended the significant improvements and NOVA received over 1,000 patient visits and conducted more than 1,200 lab tests.
One poignant insight from our work is the resilience and determination of the Haitian people. Despite facing numerous challenges, their hope and commitment to improving their health and well-being are inspiring. Many community members have expressed gratitude for the respectful and compassionate care they receive at NOVA, reinforcing the importance of our efforts to maintain high standards of service and community engagement.
She says the ongoing conflict in Haiti has posed significant challenges, including safety concerns for staff and patients, supply chain disruptions, and economic instability. However, it has also underscored the critical role of NOVA in providing stable and reliable healthcare services.
We have adapted by enhancing our security measures, sourcing supplies from multiple channels, and focusing on mental health support for our staff and patients to navigate the stress and uncertainty.
Looking ahead, Anthonika has outlined goals that will continue to improve health outcomes for her community:
- Introducing specialized services to meet the growing needs of her community.
- Continuous training and professional development to maintain high standards of care for the staff
- Strengthening NOVA’s community health initiatives to promote preventive care and health education.
- Upgrading facilities to enhance patient experience and operational efficiency.
- Maintaining momentum through consistent evaluation, community feedback, and adapting to emerging needs while staying true to her mission.
The increase in patient volume has necessitated the expansion of NOVA staff, and the executive committee is actively seeking additional funds.
Donations can be made through the NOVA Hope for Haiti website Donation Center where supporters can choose to contribute to specific programs or general operations.
