The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has reopened the application process for the Health Equity Advisory and Leadership (HEAL) Council as it seeks an additional three members to meet statutory requirements. To ensure the council’s diversity, MDH seeks applicants who identify as LGBTQ, Asian American and Pacific Islander, and/or as having a disability.  

The HEAL Council was created in 2018 as part of a broader effort by the Minnesota Department of Health to address Minnesota’s disparities in health status – particularly those persistent disparities across various ethnic, racial, and regional groups. The council is charged with assisting MDH in carrying out the efforts outlined in the department’s strategic plan and its Advancing Health Equity report, including advising on specific department policies and programs. The council also assists MDH in developing strong performance measures related to advancing health equity. 

MDH Commissioner Dr. Brooke Cunningham recently appointed new members to the council. According to state statute, the council must consist of 18 members who provide representation from the following communities: African American and African heritage; Asian American and Pacific Islander; Latino; American Indian and Tribal governments and nations; disability; LGBTQ; and residents outside the seven-county metropolitan area. Current members include: 

• Rox Anderson represents LGBTQ communities and African American and African heritage communities and is a community leader who hosts a radio show and founded the OUR Space community center.  

• Dr. Tracine Asberry represents African American and African heritage communities and is the executive director at St. Paul Youth Services. Dr. Asberry is a previous member of the HEAL Council. 

• Atum Azzahir represents African American and African heritage communities and is the founder and executive director of the Cultural Wellness Center.  

• Jerome Evans represents LGBTQ communities and African American and African heritage communities and is an active member of the Minnesota House of Representatives.  

• Jose Rodolfo Gutierrez-Montes represents Latino communities and is the executive director for Hispanic Advocacy and Community Empowerment Through Research (HACER). 

• Monica Ibarra represents Latino communities and is an equity, inclusion, and diversity advisor at Mayo Clinic.  

• Ivette Izea-Martinez represents Latino communities and is an experienced program director with over 12 years of experience in management, staff development, and retention.  

• Luqman Lawal represents African American and African heritage communities and is the vice president of health equity at Bright Health Group. 

• Becky Timm represents disability communities and is the executive director of Advocates for Better Health. 

• Dr. Grace Totoe represents African American and African heritage communities and is a physician and medical director of Minneapolis Health Clinic.  

• Deqa Sayid represents African American and African heritage communities and is a diversity and equity leader with over 15+ years of experience serving diverse communities.  

• Hadijah Steen Mills represents LGBTQ communities and African American and African heritage communities and is the director of the Healthcare Reparations Cooperative.  

• Dr. Anthony Stately represents American Indian communities, Tribal governments and nations and is the president of the Native American Community Clinic and director of behavioral health for Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.   

• Nina Vongpheth represents Asian-Pacific Islander communities and American Indian communities, Tribal governments and nations and is a member of the Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness.  

• Kathy Zeman represents residents outside the seven-county metro area and is an organic grass-based livestock farmer in rural Minnesota who leads agricultural workers in many roles. 

These appointments are effective through December 1, 2025.  

Applying for council membership is a two-step process. To assure consideration, interested applicants should first complete an electronic application through the Minnesota Secretary of State’s (MNSOS) Boards and Commissions Open Positions portal. 

For more information, please contact Ibrahim Dirie, policy and systems change planner in the Health Equity Strategy and Innovation Division, at Ibrahim.dirie@state.mn.us.