RISE has meticulously selected the top four finalists from an outstanding pool of more than 60 nominations.
The prestigious Health Care Hero award, presented annually at The RISE Summit on Social Determinants of Health, acknowledges an individual’s effort to make a significant impact on the lives of underserved populations through health care and/or social services interventions, and through superior example of the RISE mission to promote health equity among all patients.
The four finalists for the 2025 award include:
- Colleen Shanley-Loveless, MBA, president & CEO, Revitalize Community Development Corporation
- Michellene Davis, Esq., president and CEO, National Medical Fellowships
- Olufunke Sokan, PharmD, MPharm, BCACP, advanced practice pharmacist, University of Maryland, School of Medicine; senior cardiometabolic educator, Novo Nordisk Inc.
- Dr. Deborah Villanueva, DSW, MSW, LCSW, mental health clinical supervisor, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
The 2025 award recipient will be announced at The RISE Summit on Social Determinants of Health in Louisville, Ky. on Monday, April 7, the first day of the three-day conference.
Here’s a bit more about our nominees…
Colleen Shanley-Loveless
Colleen Shanley-Loveless, MBA, is the president and CEO of Revitalize Community Development Corporation (Revitalize CDC), a nonprofit focused on improving the lives of underserved communities. Since 2009, Shanley-Loveless has led the organization’s efforts to preserve affordable housing, improve a home’s health and safety, increase access to healthy food, address food insecurity, and promote digital equity for vulnerable populations.
As Revitalize CDC’s first executive director, she expanded the organization’s reach from serving just five to nearly 1,000 low-income households annually.
Under her leadership, Revitalize CDC’s budget grew from under $100,000 to almost $5 million with a staff of 20. Shanley-Loveless played a key role in the recovery of families impacted by the EF3 tornado in 2011 and later coordinated emergency response efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, delivering essential supplies to those impacted by the virus.
Revitalize CDC has also earned several prestigious honors under her leadership, including the Business West “Healthcare Hero” Award, the NAACP “Community Service” Award, the EPA Children’s Environmental Health Award in partnership with Baystate Health and the Pioneer Valley Asthma Coalition, and the United Nations World Habitat Bronze Award for its #GreenNFit Neighborhood Revitalization—one of only nine nonprofits worldwide to receive this distinction in 2019.
Her leadership and dedication have earned her numerous accolades, most recently being honored by Women We Admire as one of the Top 50 CEOs of 2025.
Shanley-Loveless serves on the board of the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations, the Policy Leadership Council at the Citizens Housing & Planning Association, and the Community Benefits Advisory Council for Baystate Health.
“I am continuously inspired by the resilience of underserved populations—individuals and families who, despite facing systemic disparities, persist in seeking better health outcomes,” Shanley-Loveless told RISE. “Their determination serves as a powerful motivator to continue pushing for change. Hearing firsthand how our programs improve daily life reinforces the importance of our work and the need to expand these services.”
Michellene Davis
Michellene Davis, Esq., is president and CEO of National Medical Fellowships, a nonprofit organization working to address the growing physician shortage by broadening pathways to medical education through scholarships and financial assistance and providing service-learning programs.
Her activities and voice extend far beyond her role at National Medical Fellowships.
She often speaks with health care professionals and organizations about representation in health care, why diverse leadership is needed in clinical research, the social and political determinants of health, the power of mentorship, behavioral health care, building pathways to careers in health care, leadership in challenging times, women's leadership, and how to address mistrust in health care.
“In today’s world, it takes more than business acumen to succeed,” wrote her nominator. “What it takes is a deep passion that you don’t veer from, no matter where your path takes you, whether it be personally or professionally. Michellene Davis is someone who has (and continues to) dedicate her life to health equity at the intersection of wealth and health. She works to find every opportunity available to advance and formulate equitable health workforce development so that everyone can access culturally competent, high-quality health care, something still sorely needed.”
Davis is a member of the Advisory Committee on Minority Health (ACMH) of the Office of Minority Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and has been honored many different accolades over the years.
She is among Modern Healthcare magazine’s Top 25 Most Influential Minority Leaders in Healthcare, Becker's Hospital Black Healthcare Leaders to Know in 2024, 2023, and 2022, and Becker’s Hospital Review's Great Leaders in Healthcare in 2022 and 2023. The National Association of Health Services Executives awarded her its 2021 Senior Health Care Executive Award.
Olufunke Sokan, PharmD, MPharm, BCACP
Sokan worked as an advanced practice pharmacist at the University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy’s Center for Innovative Pharmacy Solutions (CIPS). As one of the pioneering pharmacists at the telehealth center, she was involved in efforts to expand the role of pharmacists in direct patient care, especially before COVID-19 and the surge in telehealth technologies. The center played a major role in utilizing telehealth to provide clinical pharmacy services and improving patient access.
CIPS is a leader in health care innovation, focusing on optimizing medication management. In her role, she partnered with stakeholders to develop innovative care models that delivered the best clinical outcomes, improved patient access, and reduced costs. She also contributed to developing and implementing various programs, including transitions of care, chronic disease management, a pharmacist-led diabetes clinic, and remote patient monitoring.
With a passion for caring for underserved and vulnerable populations, Sokan has served as the lead pharmacist for the Mobile Integrated Health-Paramedicine (MIH-CP) program, a unique academic-government pilot aimed at improving health care access and reducing health disparities in West Baltimore. This program helped reduce avoidable hospital readmissions and emergency service utilization in underserved populations.
“Growing up in Nigeria, I witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by vulnerable communities in accessing health care,” said Sokan. “These experiences ignited a desire in me to contribute to addressing the disparities that prevent these populations from receiving the care they need. Professionally, working in health care has only deepened my commitment. As a pharmacist, I’ve seen how factors like medication access, adherence, and care coordination can significantly impact health outcomes. I believe that everyone deserves access to quality health care, and I am deeply committed to advocating for health equity in all my work.”
Dr. Deborah Villanueva, DSW, MSW, LCSW
As a clinical social worker with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Dr. Villanueva’s work focuses on supporting individuals and families navigating the complex intersections of mental health, trauma, and systemic inequities. Her primary role is to provide direct clinical care while also shaping community-based interventions that enhance resilience, particularly among underserved populations.
Beyond individual therapy, she facilitates reflective practice groups for mental health clinicians, fostering a space for thoughtful discussion on early risk and resilience, cultural humility, and evidence-based interventions. She also collaborates on cross-disciplinary initiatives aimed at addressing SDoH, ensuring that mental health care is not only trauma-informed but also responsive to the structural barriers many communities face.
“My work is deeply personal and rooted in both lived experience and professional commitment,” said Dr. Villanueva. “I have always been drawn to the stories of individuals who, despite facing adversity, demonstrate profound resilience. Early in my career, I saw firsthand how systemic barriers- lack of access to care, cultural stigma, and social inequities- compound mental health challenges.
I was particularly influenced by my work with children and families in high-risk environments, where the interplay between early intervention, family support, and community-based resources can dramatically shift life trajectories. This fueled my passion for ensuring that mental health care is accessible, culturally responsive, and embedded within a broader framework of social justice. My commitment to health equity also extends to my leadership roles, including my work within organizations that champion Gender Inclusivity Initiatives and my advocacy for mental health support in communities managing chronic health conditions such as breast cancer. These efforts underscore my belief that mental well-being is inextricably linked to broader social conditions, and that true progress requires both clinical expertise and systemic advocacy.”
The RISE Summit on Social Determinants of Health will take place April 7-9 at The Galt House Hotel in Louisville, Ky. Click here to learn more, including registration and attendance details.