Community Health Workers

In the summer of 2004, the UHI was awarded a grant from the Maryland Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism and the Corporation for National and Community Service to place community health workers (CHW) in East Baltimore. Under this grant, AmeriCorps members serve as community health workers. 

The CHW’s work throughout East Baltimore conducting health screenings and providing individualized patient education, lifestyle and health coaching, and care coordination.

The current cohort includes nine dynamic individuals, all working towards the common goal of improving the health and well-being of our neighbors.

From left to right: Ruby Parker (CHW since 2007), Zanada Moses, Annie Coples (CHW since 2005), Carrie Arnwine, Sharon Johnson, Shante Gilmore (CHW since 2007), Leonard Walton, Deedria Faulkner

Annie Coples
Annie is a native of Kinston, North Carolina. She has lived in Baltimore for many years and has experience in the health care field.  Entertainment writing is one of Annie’s hobbies.

Shanté Gilmore
Shanté is a Baltimore native and has a BS in biology from Morgan State University. She hopes to continue her education in public health. Shanté enjoys sewing and makes costumes for her dogs.

Ruby Parker
Ruby is a Mississippi native who has lived in Baltimore for about four years. Her commitment to community service led her pastor to recommend that she look into our program. Ruby is an excellent cook and is interested in turning traditional Southern dishes into more healthy fare.

Carrie Arnwine
Carrie is from the Charles Village neighborhood of Baltimore City. Before working as a community health worker, she was a volunteer at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Carrie is energetic with a great sense of humor. Carrie uses her time outside of work to relax and unwind.

Danielle Farmer

Deedria Faulkner
Deedria Faulkner is a native of Charlotte, North Carolina. She has resided in Baltimore for nearly one year.  Before relocating to Baltimore Maryland, she attended the University of North Carolina where she received her bachelor of science in public health. In the near future, she plans to attend Howard University where she will be pursuing her master’s degree. Deedria’s ultimate destiny is to have her own non-profit organization which will focus on changing the lives of orphaned HIV/AIDS children. Prior to becoming a community health worker for Johns Hopkins, Deedria worked as an administrative specialist for the United States Army for over 7 years. She also served as a certified peer health educator for the University of North Carolina for 2 years. Deedria loves surrounding herself around positive, goal-oriented individuals. She also loves spending time with her daughter and loved ones.  She enjoys reading, dancing, and most of all, helping others. She has a genuine spirit for giving and her southern hospitality rubs off on everyone that she comes into contact with! 

Sharon Johnson
Sharon grew up in the Edmondson Village neighborhood of Baltimore City. Besides her work as a CHW, Sharon dedicates time to a spiritual program that provides her faith and courage to serve the community. Before becoming a community health worker she was a house manager and patient of a dual diagnosis treatment facility. Sharon is excited to start each day knowing that she is working toward a greater good.

Zanada Moses
Zanada is from northeast Baltimore. Before becoming a community health worker, she worked in guest services as a driver for Marriott Hotels. She enjoys working in the community and helping people live longer, healthier, stronger lives. Zanada’s parents are her role models. They’ve been very supportive and she enjoys making them proud. In the future, Zanada plans to return to school to become a funeral director and hopes to own a funeral home one day.

Leonard Walton