Nomsa Khalfani opens doors for family access to health care services

A woman of passion, purpose and willpower

By Jasmine McClain
Mar 18, 2023
9:32 am

Nomsa Khalfani opens doors for family access to health care services — (Photo courtesy of Essential Access Health)

Nomsa Khalfani, co-CEO and chief strategy and equity officer of Essential Access Health in Los Angeles, advocates for equal sexual and reproductive health care resources. She began her advocacy journey as a liaison for organizations guiding children in foster care, inspiring her to nurture the relationships built and move up the leadership ladder to continue making a difference to underserved families.

Khalfani was named one of Southern California’s top 50 diverse leaders for her willingness to advance health equity for all. She received her Doctorate in Philosophy from Capella University and has worked closely within the community to develop and implement strategic programs and initiatives. Khalfani’s role as a strategic leader drives the organization toward integrating a health equity lens into everything from the root causes of inequities to educating families on available resources.

How did you move into this space of helping families with healthcare disparities?

I will say I fell into it. When you talk about this space, you’re talking about sexual and reproductive health care. As a Black woman, mom, and daughter, I think information about sexual and reproductive health care is key and important. We should have access to those services and how we need them. It should be done with respect and dignity.

What should we do as a community to advocate for ourselves?

Including men in this conversation is a start. I think a lot of it has been the focus of women needing to talk about what women need and want, but we are also part of partnerships and families, and that support is necessary. One of the things we do know is [that if] women have a social circle that supports them during pregnancy, they have better outcomes.

That same level of support needs to be carried out. Men should not be left out, and when it comes to Black folks there needs to be that intersection right? What happens to the women impacts men and vice versa.

How should a woman seek help if they don’t have access to the resources your organization provides?

We don’t always grow up with having a mentor. But there’s typically somebody in our life who we felt like we could go to, and that might be the person you start off with. I have a sister group of girlfriends that have been in my life at different stages. I’m an only child, so I have my chosen sisters. I do think having a sister circle, or the people that you know if you needed something, you could pick up the phone and call them [is important]. Those are the folks that you may not talk to every day, but they have your back regardless. That’s the circle I encourage young folks to create right, and it may evolve. In terms of health issues get a second opinion. Be okay getting a second opinion, especially if you didn’t feel like your needs were being met. It’s okay to follow up with another provider, and to make sure that you are being heard and seen fully during those requests.