Staff
Sigrid Aarons, MPH – Program Coordinator
As project coordinator for the HEA+LTHY Schools NY program, Sigrid Aarons provides leadership and guidance in the development and implementation of the four program strategies – assessment, policy development and adoption, policy implementation, and compliance with policies. She works with a broad array of stakeholders and serves as principal liaison to the New York State Department of Health, as well as develops and oversees all evaluation activities, manages the program budget, and supervises program staff.
Carlos Devia, MA – Program Manager for Research and Evaluation
Carlos Devia is responsible for overseeing the evaluation and research components of all Bronx Health REACH initiatives, which include coordinating the Community Research Committee; submitting research proposals to the Institute’s Institutional Review Board (IRB); presenting proposed research efforts to the Institute’s Research Committee; coordinating evaluation efforts with outside academic evaluators; and overseeing the submission of articles written to peer-reviewed journals. Mr. Devia also acts as the program manager for the Faith-Based Outreach Initiative and works with health coordinators at 47 different churches to implement health programming throughout the Bronx and upper Manhattan. As a native Spanish speaker, Mr. Devia also oversees and edits all of Bronx Health REACH’s Spanish language content.
Joseph Ellis – Faith-Based Coordinator
As Faith-Based Coordinator, Joseph Ellis is responsible for providing technical assistance to the health coordinators in the churches that are part of the Faith-Based Outreach Initiative. He works with the health coordinators to organize health events, host workshops, and provide materials and information on the Initiative’s programs.
Francesca Heintz – Policy Analyst and Communications Coordinator
Francesca Heintz is responsible for policy analysis on disparities in healthcare access and health outcomes at the city, state, and national levels. She works closely on the segregated care campaign and program activities relating to health disparity. As communications coordinator, Ms. Heintz also produces outreach and advocacy materials, including toolkits and other resources, for distribution to the community, the media, policymakers and legislators, as well as works on the Bronx Health REACH website and other communications channels.
Yvette Holland – Administrative Assistant
Yvette Holland assists program staff with all aspects of program administration, including scheduling, maintaining project records, and correspondence.
Diana Johnson, MA, CHES – Health Educator
As health educator, Diana Johnson is responsible for adapting, implementing, and evaluating Bronx Health REACH’s Obesity Prevention Program in elementary schools in the Bronx. She trains teachers on an evidence-based nutrition curriculum that aims to prevent obesity in school-age children. Ms. Johnson also works on the development and implementation of a social marketing campaign, with the goal of increasing fruit and vegetable consumption in children 8-12 years old.
Jill Linnell, MPH – Grants and Contracts Manager
Jill Linnell manages all sub-contractors and grantees of REACH and its sister programs, including overseeing the work of all Legacy Grantees funded by REACH in New York State and around the country. In addition, she manages all the financial activities of REACH, as well as the fiscal and progress reporting for funders.
Bernice McFarline – Project Assistant
As project assistant for the HEA+LTHY Schools NY program, Bernice McFarline works closely with school administrators and teachers on school wellness activities. She also conducts workshops for community groups on chronic disease and health disparities and does outreach to community-based organizations and elected officials to support the development of new policy initiatives.
Kelly Moltzen, MPH, RD – Nutrition Coordinator
Kelly Moltzen oversees the obesity and diabetes prevention efforts of Bronx Health REACH by working with the Nutrition and Fitness Workgroup, the Faith-based Outreach Initiative, schools, child care providers, and other coalition partners. She coordinates REACH efforts to develop and implement nutrition and physical activity policies and practices to improve access to healthy food, and assists in the evaluation of nutrition-related programs.