About the Author

Kirstin Craciun

Email author

I grew up in Canada where access to healthcare for all citizens is a core principle. I bring that thinking to the work I do as The Center for Health Affairs’ director of community outreach. I spend my days helping Northeast Ohio hospitals assess health needs in the community; develop collaborations with key partners to address pressing health needs; and stay aware of the latest health policy developments locally, at the state-level and nationally. I love the grit and determination of Northeast Ohioans and I truly believe that we can become a model for healthy living and healthy outcomes – but we’ve got to roll up our sleeves and get to work. I’m motivated, excited and grateful to have to opportunity to be part of the solution.

On nights and weekends you can find me and my husband driving our blue swagger wagon around town carting our three amazing kids to their many sports endeavors and other activities. In those moments when I realize that carpooling isn’t fulfilling my wanderlust, I devise budget-friendly plans to travel and explore corners of the world with family and friends.

Learn more about Kirstin Craciun.

Articles by

Kirstin Craciun

Pay for Success: 101 on an Innovative Payment Mechanism

12/14/2017 - Comments (0) - Posted By Kirstin Craciun

I had the good fortune recently of partnering with Jacqueline Matloub, a research associate at Case Western Reserve University’s Center for Community Health Integration, on an Issue Brief focused on the Pay for Success model.

Celebrate Your Plate Campaign Gains Support of CHNA Roundtable

11/14/2017 - Comments (0) - Posted By Kirstin Craciun

This year, I’m thankful for projects that have been simmering for a while and that have suddenly gained significant traction. One of these is Celebrate Your Plate.

What does Population Health Mean?

10/20/2017 - Comments (0) - Posted By Kirstin Craciun

Population health is a term that is used a lot in healthcare circles. While the term is growing in popularity, confusion about what it means has also been growing.

Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Funding is Critical for Kids

9/22/2017 - Comments (0) - Posted By Kirstin Craciun

We are running out of days in September, which means there are a limited number of days left to ensure that access to the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) remains intact.

Spirit of CHNAs Realized: Lakewood Wellness Foundation Planning Task Force Seeks Community Health Data

7/17/2017 - Comments (0) - Posted By Kirstin Craciun

I always think it’s pretty awesome when my work life and personal life collide, which is what happened to me recently when my friend Judy Wright called and asked if I could present information to the Lakewood Wellness Foundation Planning Task Force on which she serves.

Power of Partnership: Cuyahoga County Board of Health, HIP-Cuyahoga & The Center

7/24/2017 - Comments (0) - Posted By Kirstin Craciun

Terry Allan frequently talks about how public health and clinical health were “separated at birth.” I’ll tell you what − the Cuyahoga County Board of Health and HIP-Cuyahoga deserve a lot of credit for the work they’ve been doing to try to remedy that situation in Cuyahoga County.

Northeast Ohio Community Benefit Spending: 2015 Data Deciphered

6/2/2017 - Comments (0) - Posted By Kirstin Craciun

Recently, I was invited to present information on population health planning and Northeast Ohio community benefit spending to the Northeast Ohio chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (NEO HFMA).

Medicaid Coverage: A Key Weapon in the Opiate Treatment Arsenal

5/11/2017 - Comments (0) - Posted By Kirstin Craciun

There has been a dizzying amount of activity at the federal level with huge implications for healthcare and Medicaid coverage in particular.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Building Resiliency

4/26/2017 - Comments (0) - Posted By Kirstin Craciun

Potentially traumatic childhood events - referred to as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) - create higher risks for chronic health conditions, risky health behaviors, low life potential and early death.

Social Determinants of Health and Their Influence on our Health

3/27/2017 - Comments (0) - Posted By Kirstin Craciun

In the world of community health improvement, there has been a lot of focus on the social determinants of health lately. (This is actually probably an understatement.)