Health Commons is the College of Medicine’s model for community engagement that prioritizes shared leadership. Through an intentional approach to power-sharing, community partners and the College co-create policies and programs to improve community health. Current projects, prioritized by the community, include starting a food buying club and food cooperative at Cuney Homes in Third Ward. 

Organizational Model: Sociocracy

Health Commons partnered with Sankofa Research Institute in early 2023 and adopted a dynamic governance model known as sociocracy. This evidence-based governance structure allows everyone ‘at the table’ (community, academic, and clinical partners) to have equal voice, share decision-making abilities, and share strategic action and planning. Sociocracy has been used in engineering, the tech sector, and community groups for more than a century but has yet to be used in health care.  

For more on sociocracy, please see the below resources: 

• Short video: (What is sociocracy with sociocracat) 

• Introduction to sociocracy: (MOOSE: An Interactive Introduction to Sociocracy | Sociocracy for All -- Learn)