Atlanta, GA (Feb. 1, 2024) – The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) is pleased to announce the promotion of Vishwarupa “Vish” Vasani, MPH to Director of the Center for Advancing Healthy Communities (CAHC).
“Vish has made substantial contributions across the Center for Advancing Healthy Communities’ portfolio of work, and positively impacted program areas like Arthritis, School Health, and Public Health AmeriCorps,” said NACDD CEO John W. Robitscher. “Her steadfast approach to fostering healthy communities demonstrates her commitment to our Association and partners. I’m excited to see both her continued leadership and the Center’s innovative approach to eliminating social barriers.”
In her new role, Vasani provides strategic oversight, leadership, and project management for CAHC’s initiatives. In addition, she supports building partnerships, and ensures alignment of Center goals and efforts with NACDD’s mission, vision, and strategic map.
Vasani has an extensive background in planning, implementing, and evaluating programs in federal and local government and the national non-profit sector. During her time at NACDD, she has overseen more than 25 programs/projects including managing teams of consultants and staff, providing budget oversight, and growing the Association’s portfolio of work. Prior to joining NACDD, she served as a Technical Advisor for YMCA of the USA. While there, she provided training and technical assistance to over 100 local YMCAs in the delivery of evidence-based chronic disease prevention and management programs to build organizational capacity, ensure adherence to national program fidelity and quality standards, demonstrate impact through data, and support partnership development and long-term sustainability.
“As a daughter of Indian immigrant parents, the importance of collective responsibility was instilled in every aspect of my upbringing,” Vasani said. “I’m honored that I get to show up to work every day and live out this value alongside my brilliant colleagues as we work to collaboratively, equitably, and truly forge healthy communities for all.”
Center for Advancing Healthy Communities (CAHC)
The Center for Advancing Healthy Communities (CAHC) fosters resilient, healthy communities for all by advancing healthy equity and eliminating social barriers to health. CAHC works to make public health programs more effective, more equitable, and more inclusive in communities across the U.S. and its territories by providing thought leadership; expanding capabilities and resources; promoting healthful policy, systems, and environmental change; collaborating to foster mutually beneficial partnerships; and providing technical assistance and training for program implementation.
The Center provides funding to states, territories, and communities to impact chronic disease prevention efforts in communities that are underserved, economically marginalized, and disproportionately affected by chronic disease risk factors. Focus areas include food and nutrition security; access to safe physical activity opportunities, transportation, and the built environment; tobacco use; school health (including social and emotional well-being); social connectedness and mental health; arthritis and diabetes prevention; and engaging employers and healthcare providers.