Helping Healthcare Organizations Go from Intention to Action
At Connected Consultants, we believe that health equity is more than just a buzzword; it’s about quality improvement, real impact, measurable outcomes, and structural change that improves healthcare access and quality for marginalized communities.
Founded in 2020 by Dr. Deann Weatherspoon-Butler, Connected Consultants is a Black woman-led consulting firm dedicated to helping healthcare organizations move beyond performative equity and quality efforts to implement sustainable, equity-driven solutions.
What we do
✅ Accreditation Readiness: Gap assessments, documentation, workflows, and survey preparation from start to finish
✅ Quality Improvement: Building modern quality departments with measurable outcomes and sustainable processes
✅ Learning & Development: Training and workforce solutions that help teams sustain the standards they're held to
Our Mission
We partner with health plans, provider organizations, community health centers, and public health agencies to earn and maintain accreditation, improve outcomes, and reduce disparities through evidence-based, real-world strategies. We match each engagement with a collaborative of experienced providers, nurses, social workers, instructional designers, and LMS specialists.
Our work is rooted in the Equity into A.C.T.I.O.N. framework, which prioritizes:
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Aligning strategies with organizational goals
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Creating measurable impact
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Training leaders to embed equity in decision-making
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Implementing structural change
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Optimizing compliance and accreditation success
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Nurturing long-term, sustainable transformation
Meet the Team
Our team brings a unique combination of lived experience, academic expertise, and healthcare industry leadership to every engagement.
Deann Butler MA, MBA, DHA
CEO & Principal Consultant
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Founder & CEO of Connected Consultants, leading healthcare organizations beyond performative DEI toward measurable progress in equity, quality, and compliance.
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Health Equity Strategist & Accreditation Expert with a track record of guiding systems through NCQA and URAC Health Equity Accreditation with near-perfect outcomes.
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Educator, Speaker & Thought Leader, blending lived experience, research, and strategy to drive sustainable transformation in healthcare.
Dr. Dawn Witherspoon- Hasib
Senior Consultant
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Tenured Professor & Director of Parents and Children Together (PACT) at Penn State, leading research and programs that strengthen families and communities.
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Specialist in Systems Change & Equity Initiatives, supporting nonprofits, healthcare organizations, and community leaders in building inclusive, data-driven strategies.
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Mixed-Methods Researcher & Strategist with 20+ peer-reviewed publications advancing understanding of race, place, and well-being.
Alexandria Little Westfall
Senior Consultant
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Clinical Psychologist & Certified Forensic Evaluator specializing in trauma-informed care, child-parent psychotherapy, and culturally responsive practice.
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Expert in Behavioral Health & Justice Systems, working at the intersection of mental health, equity, and social justice to improve outcomes for vulnerable populations.
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Trainer & Consultant committed to integrating evidence-based care and equity principles into clinical and organizational practice.
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Warren E. Hoskins
Senior Consultant
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Licensed Psychotherapist & Trainer with over a decade of experience providing therapy, psychological testing, and workforce training across healthcare and community settings.
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Advocate for Mental Health Equity, dedicated to improving access and outcomes for underserved populations through culturally responsive care and education.
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Published Author & Researcher, whose work on Black fatherhood and personal growth (50 Nuggets for the Journey) continues to inspire both professionals and communities.
What Sets Us Apart
✔️ We've been in your seat. Our founder has led quality and operations inside health plans and provider organizations, including Humana, CityBlock Health, and Eleanor Health. We know what it takes to pass a survey while running the day-to-day.
✔️ We specialize in healthcare accreditation and quality. NCQA, URAC, HEDIS, and Health Equity Accreditation are our focus, not a side offering of a general consulting firm.
✔️ We measure what matters. Every engagement is built around outcomes you can report to leadership and show to surveyors.
✔️ We build capacity, not dependence. Training and workforce development are part of the work, so your team can maintain standards after we leave.
✔️ We bring the right team for the work. Our collaborative of providers, nurses, social workers, instructional designers, and LMS specialists is matched to each engagement.
✔️ Proven framework, tailored delivery. Equity into A.C.T.I.O.N. gives every project structure, and we adapt it to your organization's size, maturity, and timeline.
