Meet Our Training Team

Meet The Team

Jessica Bauer Walker, B.A., CHW

Dayatra Hassan, M.S., CHW

Renee Cadzow, Ph.D., CHW

Jessica Bauer Walker is the Executive Director of the Community Health Worker Network of Buffalo, where she works as a Community Health Worker, trainer, and facilitator of collaborative projects. Jessica has worked in community-building and civic engagement in local, national, and international contexts. She has served in AmeriCorps and the U.S. Peace Corps, as an organizer in two Presidential campaigns and director of operations for Rock the Vote, and as a project manager for several agencies.

Dayatra Hassan, M.S, CHW

Dayatra Hassan is a Community Educator at CHWNB, where she works as a CHW, trainer and facilitator of Cultural Competency and Trauma Informed & Restorative Justice practices in the community, schools and nonprofit sectors of Buffalo. Dayatra is a life-long Artist and Arts advocate and the creator of SistaCypher; a Self-Love initiative that focuses on women and girls in the Buffalo community through the Arts, Holistic Wellness, and Social Justice.

Renee Cadzow, Ph.D.

Renee holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology and is an Assistant Professor of Health Services Administration. She is the Co-Director of the Center for Research on Physical Activity, Sport, and Health at D’Youville College. Her research and evaluation efforts focus on maternal and child health and include both health care practice-based research as well as community based participatory research. Renee is active in public health advocacy and is also a board member of numerous agencies.

Grace Tate, CHW

Grace is the Vice President of Community Initiatives and Human Resources at Buffalo Urban League (BUL). She directs the Housing and YouthBuild programs, as well as BUL’s Minority and Women’s Revolving Loan Trust Fund. Additionally, she serves as the community liaison for health and wellness related initiatives and oversees projects and opportunities related to business and economic development. She also serves on the boards of many organizations in Western New York

Michael Chase, B.S., CHW

Michael is a Public Health Educator with the Erie County Department of Health. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Buffalo State College and has been working with the county for the past 18 years. Michael is the Public Health Coordinator of the HIV Partner Services Program and is able to work closely with the Buffalo Public Schools providing HIV and STD education to youth, teachers, and administrators. He has provided sexual health education to various professionals and organizations.

Sherman Webb-Middlebrooks, B.A., CHW

Sherman is a fellow with the Open Society Foundation and has created the WIN initiative, which is focused on youth engagement/leadership. He is an experienced CHW who has worked with CHWNB for years, first as a student CHW conducting school health work, and then assisting with training and advocacy work. He has worked at many other organizations including Leaving Our Legacy, Gateway-Longview, Erie County Medical Center, Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers, and Boys and Girls Clubs.

Khadijah Hussein, CHW

Khadijah works with CHWNB as our lead student CHW and youth trainer. SHe came to the United States from Kenya when she was 7 years old. She is a 2016 graduate of International Prep High School, who completed high school in 3 years and is currently enrolled at University at Buffalo studying Biomedical Sciences. Khadijah was trained as a student Community Health Worker as a high school junior, and applied her work throughout Buffalo Public Schools.