Meet Our Team
Leadership
Sandra Harris, LMSW, MS
- Vice President for Community Affairs & Partnership Engagement
Sandra Harris is the Vice President for Community Affairs & Partnership Engagement at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. In her role, she is responsible for maintaining community and institutional relations, developing partnerships and promoting university and community programs that impact the health and well-being of the northern Manhattan community.
Prior to her role at the Office of Government and Community Affairs, Sandra served as executive director of the Northern Manhattan Community Voices Collaborative, a national initiative funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation with Columbia University’s College of Dental Medicine as the lead partner. Under her leadership, Community Voices strengthened partnerships between community organizations and neighboring institutions to increase and promote access to quality health care services. She helped secure funding to establish health outreach projects targeting the uninsured and health education programs focused on asthma, nutrition and exercise, and mental health services.
Sandra’s work in the northern Manhattan community began 23 years ago as a constituent services liaison with then State Senator Franz Leichter. During her tenure there she developed a keen understanding of the needs of her community that led her to change her career path from housing-tenant advocacy to strengthening mental health services and developing policies that impact the mental, health and social well being of the residents of northern Manhattan. This career change led her to work for the largest Dominican non-profit organization in the country, Alianza Dominicana.
Sandra has a Masters degree in Social Work from Hunter College and Bachelor’s degree in psychology from the College of Human Services- Metropolitan College of New York. She currently sits on the board of directors of the Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation, member of American Public Health Association, National Association of Social Workers and the NJ Mental Health Counselor’s Association.
Rafael Lantigua, MD
- Director, Office of Community Service Programs; Associate Dean for Community Service; Professor of Medicine
Rafael Lantigua, M.D. is the Director, Office of Community Service Programs; Associate Dean for Community Service and Professor of Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. Since coming to Columbia in 1980, he has a distinguished record of working to improve the health of aging minorities. He was the driving force behind CALME, the Columbia Center for the Active Life of Minority Elders, which supported research to reduce health disparities affecting minority elders and established an important bridge between Columbia researchers and the neighboring community. Dr. Lantigua also helped start the Columbia Center for the Health of Urban Minorities to shift community based-research from studies for the community to studies with the community. Dr. Lantigua earned his Medical Degree at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.
Olajide A. Williams, MD, MS
- Vice Dean for Community Health; Professor of Neurology
Olajide Williams is the Vice Dean for Community Health and tenured Professor of Neurology, and Senior Vice Chair of Neurology at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr Williams is a global leader in race-ethnic stroke disparities, co-Chair of the Anti-Racism Task Force, co-Director of the Columbia Center for Community Health, which houses the Community Health Worker Training Center, and Principal Investigator of multiple NIH health disparities-focused research awards, including several large randomized clinical trials.
Author of numerous peer-reviewed articles, Dr Williams has received many prestigious awards including a World Health Organization Health Champion award, a European Stroke Research Foundation Investigator of the Year award, Columbia University Outstanding Teacher of the Year award, National Humanism in Medicine award from the AAMC, National Medical Association Louis Stokes Health Advocacy Award, American Heart Association Trailblazer award, Fast Company 100 Most Creative People in Business list, and the New York Academy of Medicine Rising Leader award.
He is an elected member of the Association of American Physicians and has been featured multiple times on New York Magazine Best Doctors lists. Along with Hip Hop Pioneer Doug E Fresh, he is co-Founder and President of Hip Hop Public Health, an award-winning internationally recognized New York-based nonprofit organization that leverages hip hop music, art, and science to promote health literacy and healthy behaviors in communities of color. Dr. Williams obtained his medical degree from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, and a Master’s degree from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health.
Ross A. Frommer
- Vice President of Government Relations
Ross A. Frommer is Vice President of Government Relations. He represents the Medical Center on legislative and executive branch matters at the federal, state, and local levels, and assists with the development and implementation of programs with the surrounding communities of the Columbia University Irving Medical Center. He is also a Lecturer at the Columbia University School of Nursing.
Prior to coming to Columbia University, Ross spent five years working for former Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY) as State Director in the New York City office and as the Regional Director of the upstate office in Oneonta, New York. In that position, he was in charge of all constituent outreach and managed the state staff.
Before joining Senator Moynihan's staff, Ross held several legislative and government positions. These include Legislative Assistant and Counsel to Congressman James Scheuer (D-NY), Legislative Assistant to Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Legislative Counsel to the New York State Office of Federal Affairs, and Legislative Director of the Northeast/Midwest Senate Coalition.
In addition to his work in government, Ross was the New York Political Director for the Bradley Presidential Campaign in 2000. He was also a Disaster Assistance Employee with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and a member of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s Military Academy Selection Panel.
Ross is an attorney and practiced as a litigator with the Brooklyn, New York firm of Cullen and Dykman. He is admitted to practice in New York State, the District of Columbia, and before the Federal Courts. Ross is a past Chair of the Association of American Medical Colleges Government Relations Representatives Steering Committee and was Vice President for Membership and a member of the Board of Directors of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research. He has also taught politics at the St. John’s University School of Continuing Education and has been a guest lecturer at Columbia University, Fordham University, Upstate Medical University, New York University, and the State University of New York College at Delhi. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Democracy Prep New York Charter School Network.
Ross, a native New Yorker, graduated from Tufts University and holds a Juris Doctor degree from the Georgetown University Law Center. He is married to Connie Dong. They currently live in New York City.
Alejandra N. Aguirre, DrPH, MPH
- Assistant Vice Dean for Community Health; Assistant Professor of Community Health Initiatives
Alejandra Aguirre is the Assistant Vice Dean for Community Health and Assistant Professor of Community Health Initiatives. As Assistant Vice Dean of Community Health, she is responsible for building, enhancing, and expanding services, resources, and programs to integrate community engagement across CUIMC’s clinical, research, education and service missions. Dr. Aguirre is a public health researcher with expertise in qualitative methodology, community engaged research, and participatory action research. She has taught courses on Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) and frequently lectures on the topic to lay audiences. Dr. Aguirre has mentored undergraduate and graduate students in public health and related health disciplines. She is Associate Editor for the journal Progress in Community Health Partnerships. Dr. Aguirre obtained her doctorate in public health from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health and a Master’s degree from the University of California Los Angeles.
Natalia J. Arias-Abreu
- Director of Administrative Operations
Julissa serves as the Director of Administrative Operations at the Office of Academic & Community Partnerships (OACP), where she leads the strategic management of financial, operational, and human resources functions that support the office’s core initiatives. In this capacity, she plays a vital role in the coordination, execution, and continuous enhancement of both established and emerging programs. Julissa collaborates closely with senior leadership to advance process optimization, ensure the effective implementation of institutional policies, and sustain operational excellence across all areas of the office. She acts as a trusted interdepartmental facilitator, fostering seamless collaboration between senior management, faculty, staff, internal departments, and external community stakeholders. She holds a BA in Psychology from Lehman College.
Community Affairs
Diego Quintuña
- Community Affairs Coordinator
As the Community Affairs Coordinator, Diego collaborates with community partners and internal departments to oversee the implementation of programs and initiatives that strengthen community-academic relations and enhance community well-being. In this role, he serves as a liaison, representing the office at community meetings and events to advance shared community goals. Prior to joining the office, Diego was the Program Assistant Director at Inwood Community Services, Inc. for the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). He holds a BA in Political Science from CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice and is a resident of Washington Heights.
Naomi Alcantara
- Project Coordinator
Naomi Alcantara serves as the Project Coordinator. She works with internal partners, community organizations, and community leaders to advance office projects and programs. Naomi supports faculty and students in the implementation of community service training and health education initiatives targeting our local communities. With a background in administration and program development, she brings strong organizational skills to planning events that promote community health and education. She holds a BFA in Dance from Long Island University.
Brittany Robinson
- Program Coordinator
Brittany serves as the Program Coordinator, where she collaborates with internal departments and community organizations to support and advance community programs, coordinate campus-wide drives, and expand volunteer opportunities that support local communities. Prior to coming to Columbia, Brittany worked with community housing organizations serving the Washington Heights and Central Harlem communities. She holds a B.A. in Political Science and International Relations from Gonzaga University.
Joseph Aguiar
- Administrative Assistant
Joseph serves as the Administrative Assistant, playing a key role in maintaining smooth communication and optimizing office operations. He supports senior leadership by managing schedules, coordinating meetings, and overseeing key administrative functions, including correspondence, IT requests, and inventory management. His commitment to efficiency and teamwork contributes significantly to the team's success. Joseph holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from Mercy University.
Community Health
Mindy Hecht, PhD, MPH
- Program Manager
Mindy Feldman Hecht, MPH, EdD, is a Program Manager in the Office of Community Health. She oversees evaluation and data management efforts across community health programs. Mindy received her doctorate in Applied Exercise Physiology at Teachers College, Columbia University, where she researched innovative ways to improve school-based physical activity and cognitive outcomes in underserved populations. She also completed a Master’s in Public Health at the Mailman School of Public Health in Health Promotion. She is passionate about using research to promote health equity for all.
Carmen Bu
- Senior Community Outreach Coordinator
Carmen Bu is the Senior Community Outreach Coordinator with the Office of Community Health. A native Washington Heights and fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, Carmen oversees outreach efforts to inform our local communities about medical research and facilitate access to clinical trials at CUIMC. Carmen holds an Associate in Arts degree in graphic design from the Art Institute of New York and a Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies from Empire State University. She is dedicated to proactively connecting people with clinical care and research.
Alex Moreno
- Program Coordinator
Alex Moreno is a Program Coordinator for the Office of Community Health. He oversees training programs to expand workforce opportunities in community health and clinical research. Alex holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Binghamton University. He brings extensive experience as a Community Health Worker in the Bronx and as a Community Organizer in Brooklyn, serving New York's most vulnerable communities. He is committed to fostering strong partnerships across northern Manhattan, the South Bronx, and CUIMC to advance health and wellness initiatives.
Hannah Thompson, MPH
- Program Coordinator
Hannah Thompson is a Program Coordinator for the Office of Community Health wherein she oversees administrative operations, communications, and supports community engagement initiatives. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience and Behavior from Vassar College and a Master’s in Public Health from the Mailman School of Public Health. Previously Hannah worked for the Mental Health Association of NYS and the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute on mental health program implementation. Hannah is passionate about expanding access to comprehensive healthcare and committed to improving health outcomes among underserved populations.
