About Us

Mission:

C.H.L.M.S. Medi-Helpz Foundation’s mission is to ensure that underserved communities can access optimal healthcare options by providing consultation, education, and financial assistance.

Charitable Policy for C.H.L.M.S Medi-Helpz Foundation

Purpose:

At C.H.L.M.S Medi-Helpz, we provide top-notch healthcare solutions for communities that may not have easy access to medical services. Our goal is to help patients by offering diverse services like helping with health insurance, providing access to medical help, and educating patients and their support network. As a part of the C.H.L.M.S Medi-Helpz Foundation, we stand up for patient rights, encourage patients to be engaged in their own healthcare journey, and empower them through advocacy.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Residency: To be eligible for services, individuals must live in a community considered under-resourced, underserved, or marginalized.
  • Income Requirement: To qualify for help, individuals must earn below the Illinois Federal Poverty Level (F.P.L.) for the year services are requested. An individual may need proof of income like pay stubs, tax returns, or government assistance documents.
  • Insurance Preference: People without adequate health insurance or uninsured/underinsured may receive priority.
  • Priority Groups: Preference may be given to vulnerable populations like the elderly, children, pregnant women, individuals with disabilities, or those experiencing homelessness.
  • Patient Pledge: Individuals must be committed to becoming active role players in their healthcare/medical journey.
  • Non-Discrimination: C.H.L.M.S. strictly follows a non-discrimination policy, offering services without bias based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or any other discriminatory factor.

These criteria ensure the nonprofit can effectively assist those in need and promote fairness and equity in service delivery to under-resourced, underserved, and marginalized individuals.

Application Process: Individuals seeking assistance from the C.H.L.M.S Medi-Helpz Foundation must complete an application form outlining their eligibility based on the abovementioned criteria. A designated committee will review applications to ensure assistance is allocated to those most in need.

Distribution of Resources: Resources will be distributed based on the level of need and the impact of the assistance on the individual’s well-being. Priority will be given to individuals facing immediate financial challenges or health concerns.

Monitoring and Evaluation: The C.H.L.M.S Medi-Helpz Foundation will regularly monitor and evaluate the impact of its charitable giving to ensure that resources are being utilized effectively and that individuals benefit from the support provided.

Amendment of Policy: This Charitable Giving Policy may be amended occasionally to reflect changes in the organization’s priorities, funding availability, or community needs. Any amendments will be communicated to all stakeholders and implemented transparently.

By adhering to this Charitable Giving Policy, the C.H.L.M.S Medi-Helpz Foundation is committed to serving our community fairly, equitably, and impactfully, ensuring that our resources are directed toward those who need them the most.

About Us

The specific objectives and purpose of C.H.L.M.S (Christomer, Henrietta, Louise, Mary, Sandra) Foundation is a national 501 © nonprofit organization formed:  a. To establish and provide Patient Education programs.  (b) Improve the health literacy of all patients, targeting underserved communities. (c) Create Patient Empowerment programs. (d) Increase Patient knowledge of available healthcare resources. ( e) Develop Patient Engagement initiatives to encourage collaboration with external community organizations  (f)  Remove barriers to optimal healthcare access for underserved communities. (g) Host virtual and in-person patient webinars and seminars (h) Participate in events and activities promoting patient education, Patient Empowerment, and Patient Engagement.

Founder

Sandra L. Washington

Sandra L. Washington is a managing partner of Medi-Helpz L.L.C., a patient advocacy business, and founder of the C.H.L.M.S. Medi-Helpz Foundation.  Additionally, Sandra is a prolific author, with four published books, including a number 1 bestseller, The Women of the Waiting Room, Surgery for your Soul, Devotional. Sandra has worked in the healthcare industry for over 30 years and is well-versed in healthcare contracts, billing, and research.

Additionally, Sandra is an Independent Professional Patient Advocate who encourages patient empowerment by educating patients on the importance of using their voices. Sandra partners with patients, clinicians, and medical business owners to ensure that the patient has access to optimal healthcare services. Sandra earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from DePaul University and her Master Public Policy Administration (Healthcare) from Northwestern University.

Executive Board Members

L.C. Washington Jr.

Chairperson

L.C. Washington Jr. is the Chairperson for C.H.L.M.S. Medi-Helpz Foundation, where he manages the Executive Board. Additionally, he oversees the programs executed by the Foundation and is the lead liaison for collaborative partnerships with outside organizations.

L.C. has spent over ten years working for the Chicago Transit Authority. His current title is Bus Service Supervisor.

Before his employment with the Chicago Transit Authority L.C. spent over 30 years working for various healthcare organizations as a Senior Systems Administrator.

L.C. earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from DeVry Institute of Technology.

Lisa M Coleman

Vice Chairperson

Lisa Coleman is an Enterprise Risk Program Manager at Savannah River Nuclear Solutions in Aiken, S.C.  Coleman has more than 30 years of experience in software engineering/IT support and risk management.

Lisa is active in her community, assisting with teaching grants, encouraging participation in internships and coops, speaking at local college events, and mentoring middle and high school students.

Lisa earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Xavier University of Louisiana in Mathematics & Computer Science and has a master’s degree in Computer Information Systems from the University of Phoenix. Coleman is also a certified Blue Dragon Lead Apparent Cause Analyst/ Root Cause Practitioner.

Patricia Pearson

Secretary

Patricia Pearson is the CEO of her own certified business, Patricia Pearson LLC, a publishing coach and an author. She has been named the number one best seller on Amazon and featured on ABC, FOX, and CBS. Patricia mentors, coaches, and consults authors by teaching them how to create, self-publish, and sell customized planners and journals for passive income and business growth.

She has an extensive finance, sales, and marketing background in the corporate arena; however, it is small business coaching that she is most passionate about. Her work educates, inspires, and motivates entrepreneurs. She has a proven system that gets more leads, allows for more freedom and leverage, and provides her clients with consistent guidance and high-touch accountability.

She has dedicated many years to the industry of entrepreneurship and empowerment. She enjoys sharing her success strategies with entrepreneurs to empower them to dream, plan, and achieve so they can live out their passion.

Judith Kathleen Jordan

Treasurer

Judith K Jordan (Judi) resides in Chicago and is employed at Weiss Memorial Hospital. Judi has extensive experience as a Healthcare Business Development Coordinator and Manager. Judi is also a member of the Weiss Memorial Hospital Cancer Committee. Additionally, Judi serves on the Weiss Memorial Hospital Health Equity committee and is a Certified Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) counselor/coordinator. In that role, she assists Medicare-eligible clients with health insurance options suitable for their healthcare needs.

Prior to working in healthcare, Judi spent over ten years working with Chicago Public Schools and Cumberland County School in North Carolina.

Judi has a passion for healthcare, which shows in her numerous roles in working with the aged and disabled communities. These roles include assisting with developing Advanced Directives for Health, financial management, aging in place, medication review, providing healthcare referral resources, and seeking alternative living options best related to a situation.

Judi takes pride in growing vegetables and herbs in her spare time. She is also an avid cook and foodie. She enjoys researching and educating herself and others on improving health standards for better health outcomes.

Sarah A Faison

Executive Board Member

Sarah lives with a sense of purpose. She is the owner of Ida Community Garden, a giveback garden focused on healing the mind, body, and soul, located in Sanford, North Carolina. Additionally, she is an author and the founder of the Kindness Matters Facebook group, where she is making a difference in many people’s lives.

Sarah retired from a long and successful career as a Corporate Professional. She enjoys volunteering with her local Botanical Garden and as a hospice volunteer. Sarah’s thoughts are more focused on the aged population that is so often taken advantage of while the majority live on a fixed low income.

Sarah earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University and has a master’s degree in Food Marketing from Saint Joseph’s University.

Carolyn Pickens Coleman

Advisory Board Member

Carolyn lives in Alabama. She has a B.S. in Nursing from Samford University and an M.A. in Health Service Administration from Strayer University. Carolyn is a Birmingham Black Nurses Association, Inc. member, served as the Outreach committee Chairperson for two years, and is the current President of the Bessemer Public Library Trustee Board. She has a big heart and volunteers in her community.

Carolyn has more than 38 years of experience as a critical care nurse and spent five years as a nurse case manager. She has worked with hospital administrators to establish plans regarding complex patient cases, concentrating on outcome management, utilizing best practices, and advocating for patients. She is also an adjunct instructor.

L Bradley Schwartz

Attorney Schwartz lives in the Chicago area and is a medical malpractice survivor and multiple amputees who limit his practice to representing amputees and sepsis in the areas of litigation, recovery, and insurance.

Brad advocates for victims and families harmed by medical errors. Brad is the president of the Greater National Patient Advocacy (GNA) Foundation. Brad has a mission of personally guiding patients and families through the litigation and recovery process.

Michelle Gatewood

Michelle Gatewood is a dedicated member of the healthcare community. She has worked in healthcare for over 25 years. Michelle believes that having access to optimal healthcare will enable patients, particularly those living in underserved and marginalized communities, to receive Preventive care Medical, Dental, and Wholistic Healthcare for Chronic as well as Rare Medical Conditions such as Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer, Sickle Cell Disease, and Mental Health.

Jessica Adams

 

Jessica is a dedicated and collaborative leader with over five years of experience in developing and delivering comprehensive customer service training programs. She is committed to cultivating nurturing learning environments through inspirational and engaging teaching methods for diverse learners. Jessica has a proven track record as an accomplished training facilitator, enhancing team performance and customer satisfaction through hands-on instruction and targeted skill development.

With a keen eye for problem-solving and a knack for observation, Jessica excels in identifying training needs and creating impactful curricula enhancements. She fosters a culture of continuous learning and is skilled in leveraging innovative training methodologies to drive improvements in service quality and efficiency. Jessica has a strong ability to focus on the big picture while paying attention to detail.

Adept at mentoring and guiding teams and peers, Jessica consistently exceeds metrics while fostering a positive and dynamic learning environment. Her true passion lies in teaching individuals how to maximize their health insurance, ensuring they receive the care they need without overwhelming financial burdens. She is dedicated to increasing awareness and knowledge within underserved communities, providing them with resources to make informed decisions. Jessica’s commitment aligns with her personal mission of teaching and aiding others in achieving a better understanding of their health insurance.