About Us
Transforming Public Health with Data-Driven Solutions
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At Ascendant Healthcare Partners (AHP), we specialize in empowering public health departments, healthcare organizations, and community leaders to achieve sustainable and measurable health improvements. As a NACCHO Affiliate Member and a Healthy People 2030 Champion, AHP uses the NACCHO MAPP 2.0 framework to develop strategic, data-driven solutions that address community health challenges effectively.
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Our public health consulting services are designed with health administrators in mind—providing the tools, strategies, and support needed to navigate today's complex public health landscape with confidence.
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Our Mission​
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At AHP, our mission is simple: Empowering communities to achieve better health through data-driven strategies and collaboration. We are dedicated to helping health administrators create thriving, resilient communities by delivering strategic public health initiatives that drive measurable impact.
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Our Vision
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We strive to be a leader in building thriving, healthier communities by fostering collaboration, driving sustainable change, and empowering individuals to reach their full potential. Our vision is to support public health administrators in crafting clear, actionable roadmaps that transform community health and ensure health for all.
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Our Core Values
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Improvement​
We are committed to finding better ways to enhance efficiency, joy, and progress, consistently striving to elevate ourselves, our processes, and the outcomes we deliver.
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Teamwork
We believe in the power of collaboration, connecting improvement to evolution through cross-training and empowering every team member to step into leadership roles, ensuring shared growth and success.
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Health for All
We are dedicated to working for a healthier future for everyone, promoting wellness and ensuring every community has access to the resources they need.
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Sustainability
We leverage our collective experience, resources, and passion to create a meaningful impact, ensuring a better quality of life for all individuals and communities.
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Simplification
We value clear, straightforward solutions that address complex challenges, making health initiatives accessible and effective for all.
​​​​Our Expertise
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As a leader in public health consulting, AHP provides expert solutions tailored to the needs of health departments across the United States
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Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNA)
We conduct comprehensive CHNAs that identify key health priorities, emerging challenges, and opportunities for community-driven improvement—ensuring your organization remains compliant and strategic in its planning.
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Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIP)
Following a CHNA, we translate findings into practical, measurable CHIPs that serve as a roadmap for achieving long-term health goals and meeting accreditation standards.
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Strategic Public Health Planning
We provide customized, data-backed strategies to help health departments align with national public health priorities, optimize resources, and achieve long-term success.
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Impact & Financial Investment Analysis
We demonstrate the ROI of public health initiatives, providing health administrators with the data needed to make informed policy and budget decisions. Got a CHNA or CHIP less than three years old? This service is your power play. Unlock financial insights, influence policy decisions, and make your data work harder for you driving real impact and measurable results!.
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Health Literacy
We enhance the clarity and accessibility of health communications, ensuring that all materials are understandable, actionable, and effective.
Our Clients
Counties & Cities
Town of Wilton, Connecticut
Bay County, Florida
Calhoun County, Florida
City of Edgewater Florida
City of New Smyrna Beach, Florida
County of Pasco, Florida
County of Volusia, Florida
Escambia County, Florida
Franklin County, Florida
Gulf County, Florida
Holmes County, Florida
Liberty County, Florida
Monroe County, Florida
Pinellas County, Florida
Putnam County, Florida
Santa Rosa County, Florida
Sumter County, Florida
Wakulla County, Florida
Washington County, Florida
Caswell County, North Carolina
Bloomfield, New Jersey
Clark, New Jersey
Linden, New Jersey
Plainfield, New Jersey
Rahway, New Jersey
Union County, New Jersey
Union, New Jersey
Westfield Regional, New Jersey
Island County, Washington
Nassau County, Florida
Santa Cruz County, Arizona
Tribal Nation
Federal & State Agencies
Florida Department of Health (DOH)
Florida Department of Children & Families (DCF)
Louisiana Health Department
National Association of County and City Officials (NACCHO)
National Community Pharmacy Association (NCPA)
National Network of Public Health Institutes
Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB)
U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Health Systems & Hospitals
International
Pharmaceutical
Universities
Our Team
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Our team of public health experts brings decades of experience in community health, strategic planning, and healthcare consulting. We are passionate about working with communities to create positive, sustainable health outcomes. Each member of our team is committed to helping public health departments, healthcare providers, and organizations address their most pressing challenges.​
JoAnn Andrews
Founder, CEO
JoAnn Andrews is a visionary leader with a proven track record in public health consulting and Fortune 500 experience. As the Founder and CEO of Ascendant Healthcare Partners, JoAnn has guided AHP to national recognition as a trusted leader in public health consulting.
Her leadership and expertise have positioned AHP as a go-to partner for public health administrators seeking to enhance community health outcomes. JoAnn has held prominent roles, including:
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Appointed Member of the NACCHO Performance Improvement Oversight Committee
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Site Reviewer for the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB)
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Collaborator with HHS for the Healthy People 2030 initiative
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JoAnn's career began in the corporate sector, where she honed her strategic acumen and leadership skills within Fortune 500 companies. She has been honored with numerous awards, including:
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American Marketing Association (AMA) Marketer of the Year Award
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Frost & Sullivan’s Marketing Strategy Award in Cardiovascular Healthcare
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African Methodist Episcopal Church Sesquicentennial Hail the Heroes Distinguished Health Professional Award
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Her approach focuses on delivering data-driven strategies, evidence-based interventions, and collaborative planning that align with national health objectives and promote health for all.
Sandra Whitehead
Senior Consultant
Sandra is a nationally recognized leader and has authored numerous papers and book chapters on workforce development, health in all policies (HiAP) and the built environment impacting community health. She was appointed in 2017 by the EPA Administrator to the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council and has a passion for working to improve communities and the lives of people living in them. Sandra has worked at all levels of government and has a wide network she can leverage to help you achieve your goals.
Sandra has worked with multiple jurisdictions to create a HiAP framework including: the City of Richmond, Virginia; the City of Cincinnati; Franklin County (MA) Regional Council of Governments and Kitsap County (OR). She is actively working with a consortium of partners in Pinellas County, Florida to implement a $1.3 million HiAP initiative funded by the Foundation for a Healthy St Petersburg which includes partnerships with: the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County; the Cities of St. Petersburg and Pinellas Park and Pinellas County. She recently published an article in the Journal of Environmental Health on intersectoral collaboration. In 2018, she taught a HiAP class with the World Health Organization.
Sandra's expertise in Health Impact Assessment (HIA) has been well honed over the past ten years. She has worked on over 25 HIAs across the US on a variety of topics ranging from state education policies to comprehensive plans. Sandra has trained over 500 professionals to conduct HIAs and serves on the Steering Committee of the Society of Practitioners of HIA (hiasociety.org).
Sandra's background includes almost 20 years of local government experience, over 11 years of public health work and teaching appointments at the University of Florida and Florida State University. She is currently the Program Director and Chair of the Department of Sustainable Urban Planning at George Washington University.
Why Choose Ascendant Healthcare Partners?
Proven Expertise: Decades of experience with a demonstrated track record of success.
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Trusted Public Health Partner: Recognized as a NACCHO Affiliate Member and Healthy People 2030 Champion.
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Results-Oriented Approach: Customized solutions that provide clear, actionable insights and demonstrate measurable impact.
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Strategic Support for Health Administrators: We understand the challenges you face and provide the tools and strategies needed to navigate them effectively.