Welcoming the 2024-25 Peter Harbage Fellows to PPAC: Nia Jones and Victoria Mesquita

Aurrera Health Group is thrilled to congratulate Nia Jones and Victoria Mesquita on being selected as the 2024-25 Peter Harbage Fellows, hosted this year by Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC). This fellowship honors the legacy of our founder, Peter Harbage, by providing exceptional students with the opportunity to deepen their leadership and policy expertise by working closely for a year with the leader of a health policy and advocacy organization in California.Nia Jones, an MPH graduate in Health Systems and Policy from Johns Hopkins University, brings her experience as a Senior Field Representative for Congresswoman Matsui. Known for her ability to foster dynamic relationships between community partners and constituents, Nia is deeply committed to addressing health disparities through health policy.Victoria Mesquita, who earned her MPH in Health Policy and Management from UC Berkeley, has a wealth of project management experience from her time at the Office of Healthcare Affordability and Stanford’s School of Medicine. Her lived experiences have shaped her understanding of the critical role policy plays in protecting health access, with a particular focus on maternal and child health issues.The Peter Harbage Fellowship continues Peter’s lifelong dedication to making high-quality health care accessible. The fellowship allows participants to engage with leaders and innovators in California health policy and advocacy, providing them with invaluable experience and professional growth opportunities. Since its inception in 2017, fellows have served in impactful roles at organizations such as Health Access, The Children’s Partnership, and Justice in Aging. Aurrera Health Group is proud to remain an integral part of the Advisory Group that offers guidance and support to the Peter Harbage Fellowship and were thrilled to provide matching financial support to expand the program to two fellows for the 2024-25 year. We are excited to see the positive impact Nia and Victoria will make during their fellowship year at PPAC in advancing equitable access to health care for all Californians.

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Authors

Hilary Haycock [President]