Center for Community Health Innovation
Founded in 2018, the Center for Community Health Innovation at Roanoke College works hand-in-hand with residents and community partners to create lasting, community-driven solutions that address health disparities across the Roanoke Valley.
We bring people together, support data-informed action, and empower the next generation of changemakers—all with one goal: a healthier, more equitable Roanoke Valley.
What We Do
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Build Community Data Capacity
Will encompass the Community Healthy Living Index, Andreea’s food access mapping work, and our work related to City Health Dashboard
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Convene Community Voices
Will focus on the NW Food Access Initiative, community-developed architectural renderings for Melrose Plaza, and a community-informed impact evaluation we just completed for Melrose Plaza; May be able to include Andreea’s work with CHIP here as well.
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Offer Technical Assistance
Will focus on the convenings we’ve hosted, grant support we’ve pulled in for other organizations, and the program evaluation assistance we provide community partners here.
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Lead and Catalyze Change
Most of our Invest Health work will fit here, as well as other infrastructure projects (futsal court installation, walkability infrastructure) and policy change work (Roanoke city comprehensive plan stuff)
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Empower Student Changemakers
I may link to student research outputs here, but will highlight the prestigious outlets they’ve presented at/awards they’ve won and hope to include a “where are they now” section here
News
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Led in part by Professor Liz Ackley, the project gives Salem and Covington residents a powerful tool to monitor and improve community health.
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Market on Melrose is the result of nine years of research and development led by Professor Liz Ackley and Roanoke College’s Center for Community Health Innovation.
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Thanks to the work of a Roanoke faculty member and her students, a neighborhood in need could be getting a grocery store, health care and more.
