The ULI Health Leaders Network is a cohort that includes academics, designers, planners, healthcare providers, social workers, fund managers, and more from across the globe who examine strategies for improving public health and social equity. Participants must apply to be part of this cohort. To learn more about the program and applying, click here.

Pittsburgh Cohort Members

Cohort 7 (2024)

Amanda Mihalko

Director, Social Determinants of Health

Highmark Health

What was your favorite session at the Health Leaders Cohort in Philadelphia? Why?

ULI’s Health Leaders Network works to bring together passionate leaders from their respective fields (real estate, affordable housing, architecture, urban planning, healthcare, public health) to explore the intersection between health, social equity, and the built environment. Some of my favorite sessions weaved together the work of architecture and design firms, community health centers, and non-profit health institutes. It was interesting to learn about how FIFTEEN, an architecture and design practice, grounds their work in a commitment to health equity and showcased this by highlighting their partnerships with the Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) and Esperanza Health Center.

Jill Lavine, Founding Principal at FIFTEEN, provided an overview of their work supporting healing environments on the PHMC Public Health Campus on Cedar and Provident Public Health Campus. Touring the PHMC Public Health Campus, it was evident that the intentional focus on healing in the design process led to colors, textures, and graphics that enabled the space to feel calm and comfortable, and highlighted how flexible spaces create an accessible and welcoming environment for community members seeking social services.

Also, from FIFTEEN, Ramune Bartuskaite spoke on a panel at Esperanza Health Center’s Community Wellness Center, making the case for designing spaces with a social equity lens to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to live and thrive in healthy spaces that serve their needs and foster a way of life that enriches our communities. Also at the Esperanza Community Wellness Center, Lianette Pappaterra, Administrator at Esperanza, moderated a panel that brought together voices from healthcare, non-profits, finance, and community development corporations. The panel focused on cross-sector collaboration, the importance of listening and working in alignment with community members and supporting innovative design that supports whole person health (physical, mental, and social health).  The panels were nothing short of inspirational and a reminder that we have the ingredients in Pittsburgh to make this a reality, too.

As a new member of ULI, what is the most surprising thing about the organization?

The reach and breadth of the professionals that are part of ULI is astounding! My preconceived notion of an organization focused primarily on real estate development has been proved wrong in all the best ways. To meet others in the Health Leaders Network who have been a part of ULI for years and understand they are working in their communities to support the built environment in ways that impacts the health and overall wellbeing of residents for generations to come was nothing short of humbling. ULI’s support of including the voice of communities into practice on countless initiatives and programs and finding ways to incorporate a health equity focus into this work is exciting and sparks optimism for healthier communities.

Why is participating in the HLN important for your career/company?

I am absolutely honored and thrilled to be a part of the ULI Health Leaders Network (HLN) Cohort 7. HLN facilitates engaging collaboration between professionals in public health, planning and design, development, and healthcare to gain actionable knowledge on development and design strategies that can improve health, well-being, and social equity within communities. I couldn’t be more excited to share my experiences of working within the healthcare and public health spheres and to learn from new colleagues dedicated to making a positive impact in their communities. The collaborative spirit of HLN posits we are better when we work toward a collective goal of equity, and this is aligned with our approach at Highmark Health. The focus of HLN builds on the Highmark Health integrated approach to whole person health, with the intention of addressing root causes of poor health outcomes and improving health and wellbeing for those we serve.