Sept. 30, 2025
Wilmington, Del. – The National Health Corps (NHC) Community Health Fellowship program proudly celebrated its Delaware graduates at a lively event held at Park Café in Wilmington, honoring their service, accomplishments, and future impact on community health.
Launched in 2021 during the height of the COVID-19 crisis, NHC Delaware was created by Delaware Senator Chris Coons as a call to action to strengthen the public health workforce in New Castle County. Since then, 30 fellows have served in health, social service, and education sectors—more than half going on to secure local careers in public health or pursue advanced health education.
Special thanks were given to the New Castle County Executive’s Office, to Matt Meyer (the current Governor of Delaware) for his partnership, and to U.S. Sen. Coons (D-Del.), who paved the way for the program.
“Senator Coons—whom we at National Health Corps, fondly call ‘Father AmeriCorps’—has shown a lifetime commitment to service,” said Shetal Datta, Program Manager, NHC Community Health Fellowship. “As a former AmeriCorps member and champion of national service, his leadership has been instrumental in creating and sustaining NHC in Delaware.”
“What makes this program remarkable is the people—our members, our host sites, and the communities we serve,” Datta said. “It brings together individuals from all walks of life, united by creativity, energy, and a shared commitment to serving others.”
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Even without AmeriCorps funding this year, the program continues to thrive thanks to strong local leadership and investment. The New Castle County Executive’s Office, led by County Executive, Marcus Henry, has stepped in to ensure that NHC Delaware continues to recruit, train, and support the next generation of community health leaders.
“The program has done exactly what our state leaders and our federal leaders envisioned,” said Tonya Adkins, Director of ARPA Funds and NHC project manager from the County Executive’s Office. “It has decreased health disparities by addressing the social determinants of health, while also training a culturally representative and well-prepared public health workforce.”
The celebration reunited the program’s founding director, Tonya Richardson, with current director Shantel Love, who offered words of encouragement to graduates:
“Your legacy will continue long after tonight, and we are so proud of each and every one of you,” Love said. “But let us remember that the work of equity and community health does not end here. Our graduates have shown us what is possible when service and compassion meet action.”
Graduate and two-time fellow, Robin Morgan, who served with the Imperial Dynasty Arts Program, reflected on her journey: “NHC taught me that leadership is not just about being on the front line—it’s about listening, serving, and lifting others up. It’s about teamwork. I can’t do this alone.”
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About National Health Corps
National Health Corps (NHC) advances community health by providing critical education, care coordination, and essential services, while transforming systems through policy, procedure, and practice change.
We partner with health, social service, education, food, and legal organizations to implement innovative solutions to our nation’s most pressing health problems, while developing a pipeline of frontline and community-based healthcare and public health leaders.
Over the past 32 years, the NHC has trained and deployed more than 3,200 individuals who have served more than 3.5 million people in rural, urban and suburban communities.
About the Health Federation of Philadelphia
The Health Federation of Philadelphia is a public health nonprofit that promotes community health by advancing access to high-quality, integrated, comprehensive health and human services.
The Health Federation of Philadelphia serves as a keystone supporting a network of Community Health Centers as well as the broader base of public and private-sector organizations that deliver healthcare, public health and human services to vulnerable populations.