Healthy Chicago Equity Zone

Who We Are

Nadia J. Jimenez – Director of Community Health & COVID Response  


“There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about” – Margaret J. Wheatley 

I am passionate about the mission of Swedish Hospital; to serve the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of our diverse community through excellence and kindness. I am driven to create innovative solutions and resources that will improve the lives of the people within our communities and have the desire to serve, and the commitment to bring innovative care to the doorsteps of Chicago members. I believe it’s our job as community members to lead collaboratively, to actively move forward change, and to be the motivation for growth.  

Patrick Bill Daniels: Assistant Director of Community  


“Every day is a new day to do something impactful” – Shawn Carter 

I have the energy to help people overcome the challenges that they face in life.  This work brings me joy. I tell people all the time that I earn a living by helping people. 

What inspired me to join the HCEZ team is the opportunity to work in various north side communities. I have the privilege to bring light to the oppression that all Chicago communities face. I have the voice and the platform to advocate for services in West Ridge-a forgotten community in Chicago. I have the voice and platform to advocate for the women in Lincoln Park who are victims of domestic violence. I have the voice and platform to support organizations in the Loop who are working with expected teen moms. Because of that, I prepare myself each day to arrive at Swedish ready to perform at a high level 

Deity Sullivan Fonts – Community Outreach Manager 


“The more we can be in a relationship with those who might seem strange to us, the more we can feel like we're neighbors and all members of the human family.” - Fred Rogers 

I believe that health equity is a cornerstone of healthcare, and without identifying and addressing how injustices impact the communities we serve, we will overlook our neighbors who need our help most. This work is important to me because it gives me the opportunity to embrace diversity within my community and strengthen it from within. I know that the health and wellbeing of our community are greater than the sum of its parts, and through my work on the HCEZ project, I strive to close gaps and bring our human family closer together.  

Najlah Iqbal – Community Outreach Manager 


“When you get these jobs that you have been so brilliantly trained for, just remember that your real job is that if you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else. This is not just a grab-bag candy game” –Toni Morrison 

I joined the health equity team at Swedish Hospital because I firmly believe in the mission of the Healthy Chicago Equity Zone Initiative. Through this initiative we would work toward having “a city where all people and all communities have power, are free from oppression, and are strengthened by equitable access to resources.” As a macro social worker I see the disparities that continue to impact people across Chicago. My role at Swedish will allow me to address those disparities, and continue serving communities for a healthier and safer tomorrow.