Meet the Board of Directors of the School-Community Health Alliance of Michigan (SCHA-MI), a diverse group of dedicated leaders committed to advancing the health and well-being of Michigan’s children and youth. Our board members bring a wealth of expertise from various fields, including education, health care, policy, and community advocacy. Together, they guide our organization’s strategic direction, ensuring that we effectively support Child and Adolescent Health Centers across the state. With their vision and leadership, we strive to uphold the fundamental right of every child in Michigan to access comprehensive primary health care and prevention services.
Alex Plum
President
Alex Plum
President
Alexander Plum, MPH, MBA(c), CHES, is the Executive Director of the Corner Health Center, Michigan’s oldest and largest medical center dedicated to the integrated primary, behavioral, and social care of adolescents. At the Corner, Alex is responsible for executing on the strategic, financial, and operational imperatives for the $3.5M not-for-profit center’s 30 team members. Before coming to the Corner, Alex served in senior leadership roles at Henry Ford Health, as System Director of Clinical and Social Health Integration, a Senior Investigator with Henry Ford’s Global Health Initiative, and previously Director of Global Health. Before that he worked in nonprofit administration at the Pontiac-based Baldwin Center. He is an ordained deacon in the United Methodist Church, and volunteers on the clergy team at Cass Community UMC in Detroit, where he lives with his fiancé Jason and their 2-year-old Golden Retriever Yolly. Alex is a Salzburg Global Fellow, a former Paul D. Coverdell Fellow, and a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Micronesia, 2008-2011). He is a 2015 alumnus of the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University (MPH, Behavioral Science & Health Education), which honored him that year with the Emory University Humanitarian Award. Alex graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Michigan State University (BA, International Relations & Political Economy) in 2008. He will complete his MBA in Healthcare Supply Chain from Wayne State in May.
Kim Baron
Vice President
Kim Baron
Vice President
Kim Baron MSN, RN (she/her) is the Director of School Health Services for Grand Rapids Public Schools. Kim has been a nurse for 22 years, having served in many roles throughout her career. Kim started her nursing career in acute care with a focus on emergency room medicine. Kim transitioned to public health nursing in 2016 when she became a school nurse. She has been serving as the director since 2018 and feels passionate about health promotion, disease prevention, and reducing barriers to accessing healthcare. In Grand Rapids Public Schools, Kim oversees the operation of three school-based health centers and works alongside the three E3 therapists working in the district. Kim is married and she and her partner have three children and a Brittany dog that they adore. Kim loves to do anything outdoors and fitness related and has recently learned to embroider. Kim is very excited to be joining the SCHA-MI board of directors and looks forward to ways she can make an impact for students through easier access to high quality healthcare services.
Debra Hess
Treasurer
Debra Hess
Treasurer
Debbie is the CEO of Van Buren Community Mental Health, appointed in 2008. She began her career at VBCMH in 1987 as a case manager serving adults with serious mental illness and has held a variety of roles focused on program development and community collaboration. Additionally, she has served for more than two decades as a surveyor for CARF, International as part of CARF’s peer-review accreditation process. Through CARF surveys, Debbie has witnessed the power of locally driven behavioral health and community services across the US and developed an even greater appreciation for the comprehensive, innovative, community driven public mental health system in Michigan. Debbie holds a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Northern Illinois University. She believes collaboration is a superpower accessible to all and that experiencing a disability should not mean being disqualified from having access to every aspect of a meaningful life.
Kay Bies
Secretary
Katy Bies
Secretary
Katy Bies, B.S. is the School Health Director at District Health Department #10. DHD#10 is a 10- county health department in Northwest Michigan. Katy has been working in public health since 1994, and has been working in school-based health since 2009 when DHD#10 received a planning grant for the Wexford Adolescent Wellness Center in Cadillac, MI. Since then, Katy has written the grants, opened, and managed 12 CAHC sites in 13 school districts. Those sites include 3 Full Clinical models, 3 Alternative Clinical models, 2 School Wellness models, and 4 E3 Models. "I have worked in several public health programs throughout my career, but school-based health is where my passion lies. Providing affordable, accessible, quality physical and mental health care to children and teens throughout our jurisdiction will have immeasurable outcomes for our communities."
Kenneth Coleman
Past President
Kenneth Coleman
Past President
Dr. Coleman is an extraordinary human change agent, specializing in performance enhancement. Dr. Coleman is a proven administrator and leader who has consistently achieved targets. Dr. Coleman has been advocating and providing counseling services to adolescents and adults for 26 years. Dr. Coleman holds a bachelor's degree in Public Administration from Eastern Michigan University, a Master of Arts in Counseling from Wayne State University, and a doctoral degree in Business Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Coleman is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor.
Sara Brooks
Director
Sara Brooks
Director
Sara Brooks is a healthcare operations leader with a proven track record of driving strategic growth, operational excellence, and quality improvement across complex, multi-site organizations. With over 10 years of experience in school health, she brings deep expertise in advancing care delivery models that support children and underserved populations. Sara has led high-impact initiatives in program development, population health, and performance improvement, aligning teams and systems to achieve measurable outcomes. She is passionate about expanding access to care and strengthening community partnerships through mission-driven leadership.
Art Ebert
Director
Art Ebert
Director
Dr. Art Ebert has served as Superintendent of Sturgis Public School since 2018. Prior to Sturgis, he spent 17 years in various teaching, coaching, and administrative roles throughout the West Bloomfield School District. He holds a Bachelor of Music from Michigan State University, Master of Music from Southern Oregon University, and a Doctor of Philosophy from Eastern Michigan University. Dr. Ebert is a member of the Rotary Club, plays tuba in the Sturgis Wind Symphony, is a collegiate tennis official, and serves on a handful of boards throughout the Sturgis community.
Tom McKee
Director
Tom McKee
Director
Tom McKee is the Superintendent of Rudyard Area Schools in Rudyard, Michigan. A graduate of Rudyard High School (Class of 2004), he returned to his hometown to lead the district after building a career in education and school administration. McKee earned his Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Central Michigan University, with academic focuses that included early childhood development, integrated science, and leadership. His Master's from Central Michigan University for Educational Leadership and a Doctorate from Capella University in Educational Leadership. Over the course of his career, he has held several roles in education, including preschool teacher, principal, and superintendent. Prior to leading Rudyard Area Schools, he served as Superintendent and K–12 Principal at Whitefish Township Community Schools and previously taught at Moran Township Schools and Rudyard Area Schools. As superintendent in Rudyard, McKee has emphasized improving opportunities and safety for students in small rural districts while advocating for the unique needs of rural schools in Michigan. He is a member of the Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators Executive Board, Chippewa County 9-1-1 Board of Directors, EUPISD Parent Advisory Council Chair, Golden Apple of Michigan Board, and a certified high school official. McKee enjoys spending time with his family, learning, golfing, and officiating football.
Jerry Messana
Director
Jerry Messana
Director
Jerry is the Administrative Health Officer for the Marquette County Health Department. Jerry holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration-Accounting from Michigan Technological University and a Masters of Public Administration from Northern Michigan University. He received a Graduate Certificate in Public Health from Michigan State University in May 2017.
Diane Nielsen
Director
Diane Nielsen
Director
Diane joined MidMichigan Community Health Services in 2012 as an Executive Assistant. She has held a variety of positions during her time with MidMichigan, including Director of School-Based Services and Director of the Northern Lower Area Health Education Center (AHEC). Currently, Diane is the Director of Grants and Development. Diane received her Bachelor of Science from Spring Arbor University. Diane is committed and involved in her community as well. She is a member of the Roscommon County Community Foundation board (a nine-year term), a Roscommon County United Way board member, and is currently serving as the Secretary for the Houghton Lake Rotary Club. Diane lives in Houghton Lake with her husband Fred and has two adult daughters. Diane enjoys boating, camping, and 4-wheeling in the summer, and crafting and bird-watching in the winter months.
LaTanya Porter-Howard
Director
LaTanya Porter-Howard
Director
LaTanya Porter-Howard, is a Licensed Clinical/Marco Social Worker, with a Masters of Social Work degree from Wayne State University. She has worked in healthcare for over 20 years, with several years of experience in School-Based Mental Health. She is currently the Behavioral Health Manager for the Pediatrics School-Based & Community Health Program at Henry Ford Health-(HFH) in Detroit, Michigan. In her role as Behavioral Health Manager, she is extremely passionate about the privilege to serve others as a clinical therapist, leader, and coach. While working in school based, LaTanya has witnessed the numerous barriers preventing patients from obtaining behavioral/mental health care. For the last three years, LaTanya has partnered with HFHS Virtual Care Team and her School-Based Program’s colleagues to launch their Telepsychiatry Services. She continues to be a champion for Integrated Care and removing the barriers to physical and mental health care.