Youth Advisory Board aligns with strategic objective to elevate youth voices
(NORCROSS, GA)—HealthMPowers announced today that it is accepting applications for its first-ever Youth Advisory Board (YAB). The organization seeks a diverse group of Georgia youth in grades 9-12, who are interested in positively influencing wellness programs that help keep youth eating, moving, and thinking in healthy ways.
Rohan Rajpurohit, youth health advocate and senior at Lambert High School (Suwanee), will oversee the formation of the HealthMPowers YAB.
“It is personally gratifying to support the founding and design of the first HealthMPowers Youth Advisory Board,” said Rajpurohit. “I am excited that youth will positively inform and influence HealthMPowers’ key programs and initiatives, as well as gain important leadership and teamwork skills along the way. The work that HealthMPowers does every day is so inspiring because it recognizes that preventive health begins with children and youth – the cornerstone for building healthy communities.”
Rohan comes to the table with an impressive history of health advocacy. He serves as the Vice President of his school’s humanitarian healthcare club, (Doctors Without Borders, the first high school branch of the Friends of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) organization at the University of Georgia) and holds leadership positions in several youth and community programs. His experience includes an internship at the CDC Museum, along with continued service on the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Youth Advisory Council, and outreach and communications work with Emory’s Urban Health initiative (UIH).
“We are excited to create an inclusive board that represents the diverse identities and perspectives of Georgia youth,” said Jennifer L. Owens, President and CEO, HealthMPowers. “By amplifying the perspectives of the youth that participate in our programs, we are investing in building the next generation of health leaders. Our big bet as an organization is how we can fully center youth voice and leadership to create the next generation of healthy Georgians.
The creation of the YAB is a result of feedback from youth during the creation of the 2022-2025 HealthMPowers Strategic Plan. The YAB is aligned with the organization’s strategy to deliver high-impact learning experiences that foster healthy habits— with a unique focus on youth voice.
HealthMPowers YAB members will attend scheduled meetings in person or virtually and serve for a minimum of one academic year. The YAB provides an opportunity for members to explore interests in health and well-being, develop leadership skills, gain networking opportunities, and earn community service hours.
All Georgia youth in grades 9-12 are qualified. HealthMPowers will solicit applications from partner schools and sites. No prior work experience or specific academic standing is required to apply.
