Stay tuned here for news and stories on the RHC’s work in the community. For media inquires, please contact Riisa Rawlins.

RHC in the Media

  • Riisa Rawlins, Interim CEO of the RHC gives keynote speech at 2024 UMSL Women Trailblazer Awards
    Riisa Rawlins, interim chief executive officer of the St. Louis Regional Health Commission, quoted the remarkable Maya Angelou in her keynote address at the 2024 Women Trailblazer Awards at the University of Missouri–St. Louis last week. “I’m a woman. Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me.” Maya Angelou, Phenomenal Woman Since its inception in 1995, the Women Trailblazer Awards recognize UMSL women … Read more
  • Riisa Rawlins, interim RHC CEO, delivers UMSL fall 2023 commencement speech
    On December 16th, Riisa Rawlins, interim CEO of the Regional Health Commission (RHC), delivered the University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL) Fall 2023 commencement address for the graduates of the College of Business Administration and the College of Nursing. In her address, Riisa highlighted her own personal and professional journey navigating complex health, social, and political systems, … Read more
  • RHC partners in Long-COVID work
    In a recent news article published by Washington University School of Medicine, the St. Louis Regional Health Commission (RHC) was highlighted as a partner supporting work increasing and improving long-COVID care in St. Louis and in Missouri rural communities. The RHC is joined by partners Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, the Integrated … Read more
  • RHC joins 150 Missouri organizations opposing DEI budget language
    On April 11th, the Regional Health Commission joined over 150 Missouri business and non-profit leaders asking the Missouri Senate to remove harmful anti-Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) language that was added into the house budget. The Missouri Times published an article highlighting the sign-on letter from the Missouri Budget Project, and the additional organizations opposed … Read more
  • RHC Chief Operations and Strategy Officer joins UMSL Graduate Women in Science panel
    On April 7, the St. Louis chapter of Graduate Women in Science hosted their annual conference at the University of Missouri-St. Louis campus. This year’s event, “Diverse voices in STEM”, featured a full day’s worth of presentations and conversations, including a panel discussion about non-academic jobs. Riisa Rawlins, RHC Chief Operations and Strategy Officer, joined … Read more
  • STL Regional Health Commission partners with Alive and Well
    An article by the St. Louis American highlights the partnership between RHC and Alive and Well Communities working to end health disparities across the state of Missouri. For access to the article, read here or press the button below!
  • St. Louis Regional Health Commission and Alive and Well Communities Announce Affiliation to Advance Health Equity Across the State of Missouri
    ST. LOUIS, March 16, 2023 – On March 16, 2023 the St. Louis Regional Health Commission (RHC) and Alive and Well Communities (AWC) announced an affiliation to advance health equity across the State of Missouri and beyond. AWC became a subsidiary of RHC, effective February 24, 2023. The RHC was founded in 2001 to address … Read more
  • RHC Talks Medicaid Concerns as COVID-19 PHE Ends
    RHC CEO Angela Fleming Brown and Patient Advisory Board Chair Nia Sumpter joined St. Louis Public Radio on air to talk about the impact of the end of Public Health Emergency (PHE) on Medicaid health coverage. As the PHE ends, the state of Missouri will begin reviewing Medicaid data in April of this year and … Read more
  • RHC Joins CENTER team in statement calling for end of overdose crisis
    Last week, UMSL Daily published an article highlighting the work of the Community Engagement on Trauma, Equity, & Renewal – or CENTER – initiative as they released a statement on Friday to mark the one-year anniversary of the deadliest mass overdose event in St. Louis history and call for change. The Regional Health Commission joined the rest of the … Read more
  • RHC Talks Medicaid Expansion on KTRS “The Talk of St. Louis”
    Blessing Kuebee joined KTRS 550am “The Talk of St. Louis” on air this month to share information on the CoverSTL.org initiative and the RHC’s Medicaid Expansion efforts. Take a listen here.
  • Feed the Babies Project fighting infant formula shortage
    An article by the St. Louis American highlights the efforts of the St. Louis Integrated Health Network and a host of partners, including the St. Louis Regional Health Commission, in a community-wide collaboration to address the recent shortage of baby formula and provide solutions for families. The initiative addresses three main priorities: Breastfeeding Support for … Read more
  • Regional Health Commission Welcomes New Directors
    ST. LOUIS, June 1, 2022 — The St. Louis Regional Health Commission (RHC) welcomed eleven new Commissioners to its board of directors in 2022.
  • St. Louis takes healthy step of endorsing Medicare for All
    This week, the St. Louis American published an article highlighting that St. Louis is now among the more than 90 cities that have passed resolutions in support of Medicare for All. Angela Brown, St. Louis Regional Health Commission CEO, was featured in the article: “Access to health care continues to be a public health crisis. … Read more
  • St. Louis aldermen unanimously endorse national Medicare for All bill
    On May 13th, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch published an article highlighting the voices of St. Louis health leaders as they commented on the St. Louis Board of Aldermen’s unanimous endorsement of a Medicare for All bill. The board passed a resolution backing the idea on a voice vote with no opposition. St. Louis Regional Health … Read more
  • As Missouri’s Medicaid sign-ups lag, faith leaders want to pick up the slack
    This week, St. Louis Public Radio published an article highlighting the efforts of Missouri’s religious leaders as they spread the word about the state’s recently expanded Medicaid program. Missouri Faith Voices, a grassroots organization made of faith leaders in St. Louis, Springfield, Jefferson City, and other parts of the state, has volunteers going door to … Read more
  • School of Social Work 2022 Critical Issues Symposium tackles advancing justice through equitable outcomes
    This week, RHC’s Chief Operations and Strategy Officer, Riisa Rawlins-Easley, was featured as a panel member for the sixth annual UMSL School of Social Work Critical Issues Symposium. The symposium gathered more than 70 faculty members, social work professionals, and St. Louis area residents for a discussion on advancing justice through equitable outcomes. The event, … Read more
  • PrepareSTL is Health Advocacy Organization of the Year
    This week, an article published by the St. Louis American announced that PrepareSTL will be honored as the Health Advocacy Organization of the Year during the 22nd Salute to Excellence in Health Care on April 14 at the Frontenac Hilton. PrepareSTL is a communications and outreach campaign focused on the most vulnerable during the COVID-19 … Read more
  • Medicaid enrollment backlog persists as advocates say Missouri could be doing more
    An article by the Missouri Independent published this week highlights the extended wait times that Missouri residents are facing to get approved for health insurance through Medicaid expansion. According to the state’s latest figures, almost 73,000 Missourians had Medicaid applications pending as of January, and the time that residents are waiting for approval is increasing. … Read more
  • Health leaders assail GOP’s latest attack on Medicaid expansion
    A recent article published by the St. Louis American highlights criticism from Missouri health leaders, including RHC CEO Angela Brown, as they respond to the HJR 117 bill that puts Missourian’s access to Medicaid at risk. The article notes, “HJR 117 would give the state legislature discretion whether to fund expanded Medicaid and to place … Read more
  • HJR 117 Undermines Will of Missouri Voters
    ST. LOUIS, February 24, 2022 — Missourians deserve to receive the coverage they voted for in August 2020. House Joint Resolution (HJR) 117 would undermine the will of the voters, threaten Missourians already receiving care with a risk of losing coverage, and jeopardize our opportunity to experience the economic growth and expansion numerous other states … Read more
  • New bill may restrict newly expanded Medicaid insurance
    RHC CEO Angela Brown contributed perspective to The St. Louis American’s recent article, “A new bill may restrict newly expanded Medicaid insurance.”
  • RHC CEO and St. Louis Director of Health express concern over COVID-19 response
    St. Louis Public Radio quoted information shared by RHC CEO Angela Brown and Commissioner Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis this week during a Washington University virtual panel they helped lead focused on COVID-19 and racial equity. “These communities didn’t even have equal access to masks, and when they did have access, they were priced out of … Read more
  • Missouri Medicaid now available to low-income adults, but roll-out is slow
    Angela Brown, CEO of the St. Louis Regional Health Commission (RHC), provided her feedback on the roll-out of Medicaid expansion for Missouri’s Gateway to Better Health patients in a recent article by Kaiser Health News. The article, “A tale of two Medicaid expansions: Oklahoma jumps in while Missouri lags“, was also published online by St. … Read more
  • PrepareSTL Shares Lessons Learned During COVID-19
    COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted people of color, and they are “suffering and dying from COVID-19 at greater rates than the general population.”1 Underserved communities continue to be ignored by population-level health interventions, worsening health disparities. In an effort to reach communities of color in St. Louis, PrepareSTL, a “collaborative, community-led campaign” aims to assist these … Read more
  • Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, Health and Education Leaders, Urge Families to Vaccinate Children 5 – 11 Against COVID-19, Keep Schools Open and Safe
    Following the approval of the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5-11 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, City of Saint Louis Department of Health Director Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, and St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) Superintendent … Read more
  • System of Care and Bold Moves Worldwide Advocate for Youth Mental Health in St. Louis
    RHC CEO, Angela Brown, appeared on KSDK’s Show Me St. Louis this week in support of Bold Moves Worldwide, an organization partnering with the St. Louis Region System of Care, to advocate for youth mental heath supports in St. Louis.
  • Community health centers deserve our gratitude
    ST. LOUIS, August 31, 2021 – For the past year and a half, community health centers have stepped up in the face of fear and devastation to protect the health of our region. St. Louis Regional Health Commission CEO, Angela F. Brown, provided a guest column to The St. Louis American this week, celebrating the work of … Read more
  • City of St. Louis to Partner with Walgreens, Regional Health Commission in Launching Community Vaccination Tool
    ST. LOUIS, August 19, 2021 – Today, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones announced the City’s partnership with Walgreens and the St. Louis Regional Health Commission (RHC) to help churches, nonprofits, community organizations, and more to schedule vaccination events at their block parties and other functions.
  • St. Louis Integrated Health Network Releases Statement in Support of Public Health Efforts to Reduce Impact of COVID-19
    ST. LOUIS, August 3, 2021 – RHC community partner, the St. Louis Integrated Health Network (IHN), provided an editorial to the St. Louis American this week voicing support for the medical and lay professionals that have cared for our communities’ health and wellbeing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The RHC supports this message.
  • Prepare STL hosts Living Well Summit to support the Black community through COVID
    PrepareSTL’s four-day Living Well Summit kicks off tonight! This event is an opportunity for the community to recenter after the pandemic has impacted everyone mentally, emotionally, physically, and financially.
  • Call for radical listening and power sharing in light of Medicaid expansion implementation court case
    ST. LOUIS, July 7, 2021 – St. Louis Regional Health Commission CEO, Angela Brown, provided a guest column to The St. Louis American on Missouri Medicaid expansion. The fate of Medicaid expansion implementation is now in the hands of the courts, when it should have stayed in the hands of Missourians. This fight for expansion … Read more
  • Living Well Summit helps people of color beat impacts of COVID
    Riisa Rawlins-Easley, Chief of Staff for the St. Louis Regional Health Commission, stopped by FOX 2 to share information on PrepareSTL’s upcoming “Living Well Summit”.
  • Prescription drug monitoring program coming to Missouri after years of stalled efforts
    RHC Commissioner and Provider Services Advisory Board Chair, Dr. Fred Rottnek, was interviewed by KMOV about the passage of a statewide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) during Missouri’s 2021 legislative session.
  • Medicaid expansion struggle continues as Senate votes against funding it
    In an article from The St. Louis American, the RHC’s Medical Director Dr. Heidi B. Miller, chimed in on the Senate’s vote against providing the necessary funding to expand Missouri’s Medicaid program.
  • RHC Works to Increase Vaccine Access
    As demand for the COVID-19 vaccine lags, the St. Louis Regional Health Commission (RHC) is working alongside community partners to reduce gaps in access.
  • Open Letter: St. Louis business community supports Medicaid expansion
    The St. Louis Regional Health Commission has joined forces with business leaders across the region to encourage legislators to fully implement Medicaid expansion in Missouri in Fiscal Year 2022. Read the full editorial from Greater St. Louis, Inc. and see the full list of supporters on The Missouri Times. Photo: Missouri Times
  • Angela Fleming Brown: The Choice is Yours
    In the April 6, 2021 edition of the Deaconess Foundation newsletter, Angela Fleming Brown, CEO of the St. Louis Regional Health Commission (RHC), addresses inequity in the health care system, provides a list of considerations that may factor into an individual’s decision to get vaccinated or not, and a link to resources that can help … Read more
  • Medicaid Expansion Advocates Hope for State Funding
    Yesterday was a tough day for Missouri Medicaid expansion advocates. Medicaid expansion funding was not put back into the House’s budget. RHC CEO Angela Brown reflects on the news in this NBC News Article.
  • Logan University partners with St. Louis County to deliver chiropractic care
    ST. LOUIS, November 24, 2020 – Chesterfield-based Logan University, a private chiropractic and health science school, is teaming up with the St. Louis County Department of Public Health to advance chiropractic care for residents. According to a release, Logan doctors will work with the health care team at the county’s John C. Murphy Health Center … Read more
  • RHC Board Chair Cheryl Walker named Interim President & CEO of Deaconess Foundation
    ST. LOUIS, November 18, 2020 –  Cheryl Walker, Board Chair of the St. Louis Regional Health Commission, was named the Interim President & CEO of the Deaconess Foundation. Ms. Walker will guide the national search for a permanent chief executive.
  • ‘Amendment 3 would hurt our democracy’
    ST. LOUIS, October 29, 2020 – Community leaders say to vote against attempt to undermine Clean Missouri reforms. “What it’s really about is how politicians want to draw their own district maps. They want to choose their voters instead of having the voters choose them,” said Louise Wilkerson, co-president of the League of Women Voters of … Read more
  • Over 300 businesses, community and civic organizations, including the St. Louis Regional Health Commission, say vote no on Amendment 3
    ST. LOUIS, October 12, 2020 – The St. Louis Regional Health Commission joined more than 300 business, community and civic organizations across the state in taking a public stand against Amendment 3, which would radically change how state House and Senate districts are drawn in Missouri and would reverse fair mapping policies passed by Missouri … Read more
  • Vaccine Messaging Acknowledges Past Racial Traumas in Health
    ST. LOUIS, September 10, 2020 – Messaging around a Covid-19 vaccine must be delivered to African American communities without admonishment or pressure, according to health officials planning for its rollout in St. Louis. Click here for the Bloomberg Law story. Photo: Bloomberg Law
  • New mental health urgent care clinic to address critical need across St. Louis region
    BRIDGETON, August 24, 2020 – It’s been said that nobody drops off a casserole when somebody in your family suffers a setback from mental illness. Compared to other diseases, stigma is partly to blame. So is the shortage of viable treatment options for behavioral health patients. Between 1990 and 2010, the region lost 42% of … Read more
  • Affinia Healthcare, Prepare STL and Schnucks perform free COVID-19 tests Saturday
    ST. LOUIS, August 8, 2020 – Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Prepare STL and Affinia Healthcare have partnered to perform free COVID- 19 tests and hand out thousands of PPE. Saturday was no different as the group made a stop in the parking lot of a Schnucks in north St. Louis. Health officials say they have a responsibility to ensure the safety of residents. Affina Healthcare, Prepare STL, … Read more
  • Cloth mask giveway in North St. Louis
    ST. LOUIS, August 8, 2020 – And it is all about the cloth face masks at this site in North St. Louis. The giveaway was hosted by PrepareSTL. Click here for the KSDK story.
  • Brown joins The Pulse of St. Louis to discuss PrepareSTL
    ST. LOUIS, July 14, 2020 – Angela Fleming Brown, CEO of the St. Louis Regional Health Commission, joined Shirley Washington on The Pulse of St. Louis to share more about the work of Prepare St.Louis to date and what’s to come in the campaign’s next phase. Photo: KPLR 11
  • Rosetta Keeton is the 2020 Lifetime Achiever in Health Care
    ST. LOUIS, July 9, 2020 – “Healthcare to me is a human right,” Rosetta Keeton said. “And quality healthcare should be a human right. As much as I can, I try to get them what they need.” Links to the story can be found here on the the St. Louis American website and in PDF … Read more
  • Any City of St. Louis resident can now get a free COVID-19 test
    ST. LOUIS, July 2, 2020 – Any resident of the City of St. Louis may now get a free test for COVID-19. Up until now due to limited supplies, COVID-19 testing in the city has been restricted to those persons showing symptoms. Through a partnership with the St. Louis Regional Health Commission, free tests are … Read more
  • Regional Health Commission awarded $1M for COVID-19 outreach
    ST. LOUIS, June 19, 2020 – The St. Louis Regional Health Commission (RHC) has been awarded a $1 million grant from  Missouri Foundation for Health for the second phase of the PrepareSTL campaign. In its first phase, Prepare STL provided information and resources to people disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 – low-to-moderate income African Americans and people of … Read more

Questions?


For archived news articles mentioning the work of the RHC, please contact Riisa Rawlins.