Anaiah Simmons, mPH | Program manager, Behavioral Health

Anaiah is originally from Bloomington, IL. After high school, she attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she earned a B.S. in Psychology with a concentration in Neuroscience. Eager to make a broader impact on community health, Anaiah then moved to Chicago to pursue a Master's in Public Health, with a focus on Global Health Equity, at Loyola University Chicago.

Throughout her academic journey, Anaiah developed a deep passion for addressing the root causes of health disparities. During her time in graduate school, she worked directly with communities as part of her practicum, focusing on food access and public health education for underserved populations. She was involved in various grassroots organizations, including volunteering at food pantries and working with Shower Up, where she helped provide essential services, such as showers and hygiene resources, to individuals experiencing homelessness. These experiences deepened her commitment to tackling social determinants of health, especially for those facing systemic barriers to care.

After completing her master's degree, Anaiah continued to build on this passion by taking on a role as a Project Consultant at the Asian Health Coalition, where she worked on educational materials tailored for specific age groups and cultural backgrounds. Anaiah now serves as a Program Manager on the Behavioral Health Team, where she oversees mental health and substance use programming. In this role, she continues her work advocating for vulnerable populations, ensuring that those who are often overlooked or underserved receive the support and resources they need to thrive.

Outside of her professional life, Anaiah is an avid traveler with a passion for learning about new cultures, sightseeing, and experiencing different cuisines.