Candace Henderson, Affinia Healthcare Director of Community Health, has been selected for the Missouri Community Health Worker of the Year.

Henderson is celebrating nine years with Affinia Healthcare this month. She joined the community health center as a researcher for an infant mortality project grant. Once that grant ended, she enrolled in the Community Health Worker program at St. Louis Community College. She completed the program and later was promoted to Lead Community Health Worker. She was promoted to manager and in 2023, director of Community Health.

Henderson is proud of the work she does in the community.

“The work of a CHW is not just a job; it has to be your passion, work done for patients with grace and dignity,” Henderson explained.  “It’s more than just being there; it’s listening, trusting, and advocating for our patients. It’s the foundation for change that can be seen and felt by the community and patients.”

According to American Public Health Association, a community health worker is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the worker to serve as a liaison between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality of service delivery.

“CHWs ensure our patients have access to high-quality healthcare and critical wraparound services, a link that is critical to the Affinia Healthcare mission,” said Dr. Kendra Holmes, Affinia Healthcare President & CEO. “We are extremely proud of the work Candace and the CHW team do for patients and the community overall. The honor is well-deserved.”

CAPTION: Candace Henderson has received the Missouri Community Health Worker of the Year award. The award was presented by the Community Health Workers Association of Missouri.