When we interviewed Daisha for this position she spoke strongly of her decision to move out of the private sector and into nonprofit work. Shes a woman of strong principles who cares deeply about her community, and I have no doubt her commitment to the nonprofit world comes out of this love for the health of her community.

Suzy Jeffreys, executive director, North by Northeast Community Health Center

For Daisha Tate, operations coordinator at North by Northeast Community Health Center, its important for health care to be personal. Thats because, as she says, This is not the typical doctors office.

North by Northeast is the only medical clinic in Oregon focused on African-American health, serving 450 African-American adults every year. Many of the clients have in the past felt underserved by traditional health care providers.

I think mostly a lot of our patients dont feel like theyve been listened to, Tate says. They feel silenced and lost.

Tate, 30, knew from a young age that she wanted to work in the health care sector. She completed Benson High Schools health occupation program and began her career in traditional health care offices doing human resources, recruitment and research. But the work didnt do much for her.

Working in the back office is fine. But my personality, Im more like a people person, Tate says. Just being stuck at a desk and a computer eight hours a day gets kind of boring.

Tate transitioned to the nonprofit sector, working at the Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest for five years. In the process, she came to realize how much she loves being able to serve her community through nonprofit work.

She came across North by Northeast by chance. One day in 2015, when she had taken her two sons to get haircuts at Champions Barbershop on Northeast Martin Luther King Boulevard, doctors from North by Northeast were there, offering free blood pressure checks. Tate was inspired by their mission and hands-on approach. Then, she found out they were hiringand applied right away.

Now, Tates been at North by Northeast for a year. One of her primary roles is working with patients to make sure their insurance is up to dateeven if that means sitting with patients while the insurance company puts them on hold for an hour or more, or calling patients regularly to remind them to get scheduled with the offices Oregon Health Plan specialist.

Tate says thats what makes her clinic stand out from traditional health care systemsthe readiness of everyone working there to listen to the clients.

Even if you come to our office and arent able to meet with your provider, you still have a whole room full of people to talk to, she says. Even if I cant necessarily give you medical advice, I can listen to you and hear what it is you have to say.

Bottom Line for Portland:

Daisha Tate assists North by Northeast Community Centers 450 African-American adult patients in ensuring that their health insurance is active and that they understand their benefits. The clinic provides personalized health care for patients often underserved by traditional health care, with a focus on chronic health conditions affecting Portlands African American community.

This prize is generously sponsored by Davis Wright Tremaine.