Meet the Child Health Advocacy Institute Team
Leadership
Danielle Goodman Dooley, MD, MPhil
- Medical Director, Community Affairs and Population Health
- Pediatrician
Danielle Goodman Dooley, MD, MPhil
Locations
Departments
Olanrewaju Omolayo Falusi, MD
- Medical Director, Advocacy Education, Child Health Advocacy Institute
- Director, LAUnCH Track
- Associate Director, Pediatric Residency Program LAUnCH Track
- Pediatrician
Olanrewaju Omolayo Falusi, MD
Locations
Departments
Chaya T. Merrill, Dr.P.H.
- Director, Child Health Data Lab
- Assistant Director, Community Engagement Research Component
Desiree de la Torre
- Executive Director, Community and Government Affairs
Desiree de la Torre
Languages
- English
Biography
Desiree de la Torre is the executive director of community and government affairs and she leads the organization’s population health improvement planning process, including support for community-based organizations, health equity, and compliance with federal community benefit regulations.
Tonya Vidal Kinlow
- Vice President, Community Engagement, Advocacy & Government Affairs
Tonya Vidal Kinlow
Languages
- English
Biography
Tonya Vidal Kinlow, M.P.A., is vice president of Community Engagement, Advocacy & Government Affairs at Children’s National. She leads Children's local and national advocacy and education efforts under the umbrella of the Child Health Advocacy Institute. She also works with federal and local government stakeholders to ensure that the needs of children are kept in the forefront of the development of policies and regulations. Prior to joining Children’s National in 2014, Ms. Kinlow was the vice president of Government Affairs for CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield in the National Capital Area. She has spent 25 years leading and managing government relations for associations and health care payers including the District of Columbia Hospital Association, the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc., and the National Medical Association. As a prominent community leader, Ms. Kinlow has held a number of elected and volunteer leadership positions with Washington, D.C., metropolitan area community organizations. Her advocacy on behalf of children extends beyond her work in health care. Ms. Kinlow is a former member of the D.C. Board of Education and was the first ombudsman for D.C. Public Schools. In both roles, she fought to make sure all District children had access to quality, free public education. She currently holds board membership roles with the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum, the Greater Washington Urban League., and the Consumer Health Foundation, and is also co-chair of the Federal City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta GEMS. Ms. Kinlow received her master’s degree in public administration from American University and her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Loyola University of New Orleans, La.
CHAI Affiliate Faculty Program
Specifically, CHAI Affiliate Faculty Members participate and lead in advocacy education, legislative advocacy, community benefit programs, and other CHAI initiatives. CHAI Affiliate Faculty applications are accepted on an annual basis and then renewed annually by CHAI Medical Directors based on the individual’s involvement within CHAI’s priority activities. Affiliate Members are not required to have salary support from CHAI. Visit this page to view a list of all our members.