AHS Community Health Workers
Rooted in Community
A Community Health Worker (CHW) is a trusted member of the community or someone who has a deep understanding of the people they serve. CHWs act as bridges between health and social services, helping patients access care that is respectful, culturally affirmative, and supportive.
CHWs are unique because they:
- Build trust and strong relationships with patients
- Use their lived experience and community knowledge
- Help patients connect with their healthcare providers
- Help patients navigate the health system
- Provide linkage to things like housing information, food and county benefits.
Want to connect with a CHW?
Ask your care team or call the Health Advocates team at 510-437-4400
CHW is an umbrella term that refers to a profession. CHWs have many job titles at AHS including:
- Patient Navigator
- Health Advocate
- Substance Use Navigator
- Mobile Health Specialist
- Palliative Community Liaison
- Pediatric Family Specialist
Resources
Good health isn’t just about provider visits — it’s also about having access to essentials like nutritious food, safe housing, transportation, and more. If you or someone you care about could use extra support, explore our FIndHelp resource directory. It’s here to connect you with trusted services that can make a difference.
CHW Stories
Community Health Outreach Worker Olivia Palacios
Olivia Palacios Community Health Outreach Worker (CHOW) Complex Care Program The Power of Compassion and Persistence. A CHW patient story. Olivia Palacios, a community health outreach worker (CHOW) with the Complex Care [...]
Community Health Worker Tashara Hunt
Tashara Hunt Community Health Worker (CHW) Care Transitions I began my career at Alameda Health System (AHS) nine years ago in emergency department (ED) registration and admitting. Then three years ago, I [...]
Mobile Health Specialist Latina Howard
Latina Howard Mobile Health Specialist Dental Mobile Clinic What I love most about being a community health worker (CHW) is witnessing those small but powerful moments when a patient starts to feel [...]
Community Health Outreach Worker Evelyn Terceros-Mcghee
Evelyn Terceros-McGhee Community Health Outreach Worker (CHOW) Integrated Behavioral Health Passionate about community service and building on my previous roles in the field, I became both a mother and a community health [...]