The Center for Health Equity Transformation (CHET) is a joint center between the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center (Lurie Cancer Center) of Northwestern University and the Institute for Public Health and Medicine (IPHAM). Dr. Melissa Simon, founder and faculty director of CHET, laid the foundation for CHET with her diverse health equity and community-based participatory research, teaching, and community partnership portfolio over the span of more than a decade.

CHET offers a nurturing environment that fosters, creates, and catalyzes innovative partnerships across disciplines and communities in education and training, research, and health care delivery. Our capacity for cross-sectoral partnerships informs policymaking and lifts health for all by advancing evidence-based health equity programs, policies, and initiatives. Our work emphasizes giving voice and opportunity to historically marginalized and underserved people.

Our Center developed its mission and vision statements with the understanding that we must eradicate systemic racism and institutional barriers to advance health equity.

Mission 

To lift health for all by exposing root causes of health inequities and serving as a hub that pushes boundaries in research, education, workforce development, and community engagement.  

Vision 

To bridge the gaps between research, community needs, and policy by transforming systems and structures so that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their best possible health. 

Values 

• Thinking Outside the Box   
• Committing to Being Anti-racist 
• ​Centering the Community in Community-based Participatory Research    
• Diversifying the Education, Research, and Health Care Workforce   
• Engaging Community Members and Educating the Public   
  
• Connecting Knowledge to Advocacy and Policy   
  
• Creating Actionable Plans