HOP Staff

Meghan Erkel joined Health Outreach Partners as a Project Manager in June 2022 and brings over 8 years of Public Health experience using project management, data, and research to drive health equity and systemic change to under-served, marginalized populations. In this role, she will manage projects that expand and improve access to care at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and other community-based organizations nationally. Prior to HOP, Meghan’s experience was primarily internationally based in Latin America, the Caribbean and Sub-Saharan Africa working on various health projects with both bilateral and multilateral agencies. After graduating with an MPH in Global Health from the University of Washington, Meghan spent two years in Peru as a Fulbright-Fogarty KUSKAYA Fellow conducting research on early childhood development. She’s particularly passionate about improving the health and wellness of families and children. Meghan has a BA in English from Rice University. She’s a Sacramento native who in her spare time enjoys weekend trips to Tahoe, soccer, pretending she’s on the Great British Bake Off, and pilates.

Smruti joined Health Outreach Partners as a Program Director in August 2023 and mainly works on supporting HOP’s HRSA funded programs and organizational evaluation strategy. Prior to joining HOP, her work with Coaction Institute focused on capacity building for organizations focused on improving population health, including community health centers. As a consultant with Biel Consulting she worked with hospital stakeholders to identify gaps in community benefit programs across a large Texas health system. From 2012-21, Smruti lived in India where she co founded Lighthouse Health Solutions, a public health consulting company that provided technical support to foundations, NGOs, and health research organizations focused on maternal child health in and around Delhi. Prior to moving to India, Smruti worked at Public Health Institute where she was part of the Advancing the State of the Art in Community Benefit (ASACB) demonstration project which was aimed at developing best practices in tax exempt hospital community benefit programs. Her international experience includes stints in El Salvador and Gujarat, India as a qualitative researcher addressing inequities in maternal/child health service delivery. Smruti earned her MPH in International Health and Development from Tulane University School of Public Health. In her free time, Smruti enjoys listening to pop music, adding to her cookbook collection (already at 75!) and travelling with her family to beautiful destinations, both local and far-flung.

Litzi Bravo, from the Bay Area and proud Latina, embodies passion and purpose in her pursuit of higher education. Currently, in her fourth year at San Francisco State University, immersed in the study of Public Health with a focused minor in Women’s Health Issues. She not only delves into the intricacies of Public Health but also holds the distinguished position of President within a student-led association, Health Education Student Association and a dedicated swim teacher. In the role as President, Litzi organizes initiatives aimed at raising awareness of available resources for fellow students while fostering meaningful relationships between students and faculty. As a swim teacher, she can share her expertise in swimming, imparting valuable skills and promoting a healthy lifestyle among her students. Raised with a compassionate heart and a relentless dedication to service, Litzi’s journey in Public Health is deeply rooted in her upbringing. From a young age, she has been drawn to helping others, and now, as she navigates her academic path, she is driven by a profound desire to make a meaningful impact on her community. Litzi approaches her studies and her future career with an open mind and thirst for knowledge. She is committed to expanding her understanding of Public Health and is eager to apply her growing expertise to address pressing health disparities and promote wellness among diverse populations. With each step she takes, Litzi is determined to contribute positively to the world around her, striving to create a brighter, healthier future for all.

Yasmin joined as an Associate Program Manager Intern in March 2024. Yasmin is a Public Health graduate student at San Jose State University, specializing in Community Health Education. She also holds a Master’s degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Yasmin is passionate about making health information more accessible to all by exploring creative ways to make the language around health and the health system easier to understand and navigate. This is because she believes that her public health knowledge is meant for sharing with others in order to make the world a better place. Aside from pursuing her professional passions, Yasmin cares deeply about standing up against oppression, with over 12 years of community and social justice organizing experience.