Making Health Happen

Jose Melendrez - Chairman, Nevada Minority Health & Equity Coalition at the UNLV School of Public Health

Jose Melendrez serves as the Executive Director for the Office of Community Partnerships in the School of Public Health at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV). He is responsible for coordinating and building partnerships that support students and faculty initiatives including working with community-based organizations and public health agencies to support internships, research and educational programming. Jose currently serves as the Chair of the Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition (NMHEC), board member to the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange – reappointed by Governor Steve Sisolak in 2020, board of directors to the Southern Nevada Health District Community Health Center (FQHC), and Director with the Latin Chamber of Commerce, member of the Hope Means Nevada initiative.

Jose serves as the liaison for the UNLV School of Public Health to the Nevada System of Higher Education Title V- Hispanic Serving Institute Task-force. Jose currently co-chairs the UNLV Minority Serving Institution task force that includes MSI-Title III Asian American, Native American, Pacific Islander Serving Institutions and Title V- Hispanic Serving Institution initiatives.

Will Rucker

Will is engaged in local, statewide, and national platforms advancing socio-spiritual transformation efforts in restorative justice, health equity, and humanity first initiatives. Nearly twenty years of experience in leading individuals, teams, and organizations to extraordinary success informs his unique approach to change. Will's educational background includes certifications as a ColorCode Personality Science Trainer, Compassionate Integrity Training (CIT) Facilitator, and a Master's Degree in Executive Leadership. 

Currently, Will is honored to serve his community by leading development and expansion for the American Lung Association's programs and educational efforts as the Western Division's Health Promotion Director. Working with the nation's oldest public health organization has been a fulfilling experience, and he is proud to have obtained millions in grant funding for such a worthy cause. Will is a current board member of several non-profits, including the Interfaith Council of South Nevada, Community Partners for Better Health, Compassionate Las Vegas, and the Nevada Minority Health & Equity Coalition. Will regularly moderates informative and dynamic educational panels for organizations such as UNLV and can be seen hosting Compassionate Las Vegas -- The Podcast each week or the A Healthier Tomorrow monthly radio show on KCEP in Las Vegas. He also regularly leads workshops on Interpersonal Relationship Skills, Meditation, Team Building, and Ethical Mindfulness. No matter the endeavor or format, Will's passion for tangibly improving the quality of life for all people shines through.

Tom McCoy

Tom McCoy is on the board of the Nevada Minority Health & Equity Coalition and serves as the Executive Director of State Government Affairs for the Nevada Chronic Care Collaborative. His previous roles include serving as Nevada State Director of Government Relations for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (2008-2020). He was also an attorney for the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, D.C. as well as Vice President-Broadcaster of Congressional Relations at the National Association of Broadcasters in D.C.