In every emergency room I’ve ever worked in, the same unspoken truth reveals itself again and again: a patient’s zip code can matter more than their genetic code. It’s in the stories of mothers choosing between insulin and rent, of families who qualify for life-changing public benefits but never access them because the system is too confusing, too slow, too opaque.
The work of connecting patients to the public assistance programs they deserve — SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, Lifeline, LIHEAP, and beyond — sits at a critical intersection. And that intersection, where economic stability meets health outcomes, has never mattered more than it does right now.
From exam rooms to waiting rooms, the conversations unfolding across our healthcare system reveal what we’ve always known: health equity cannot exist without economic security. Whether it’s a phone bill, a heating bill, or a bag of groceries, these aren’t just social services — they’re interventions that shape health, dignity, and survival.
That’s why the timing of this announcement is so powerful — and why I’m so thrilled to share it with you.
Meet the New Executive Director of Link Health
It is with immense pride and excitement that I announce Ar’Sheill Monsanto as the new Executive Director of Link Health.
Ar’Sheill is not only a respected national leader in health equity and public policy — she’s a fierce advocate, a systems thinker, and above all, a builder. With over 20 years of experience empowering communities and leading high-impact teams, she has dedicated her career to transforming public systems through advocacy, coalition-building, and evidence-based strategy.
Most recently, Ar’Sheill served as Vice President of Strategy and Partnerships at Link Health, where she led the charge in uniting healthcare providers, community leaders, government partners, and funders around a shared vision: make public benefits enrollment as easy and accessible as possible — especially for the most vulnerable patients in our care.
In that role, Ar’Sheill brought a leadership philosophy that’s grounded in service, collaboration, and empowering others. She has an uncanny ability to align vision with execution, to bring people together across silos, and to keep the communities we serve at the very center of everything we build.
And now, as Executive Director, she’ll bring all of that — and more — to the helm of our organization.
What We’ve Built Together — and What Comes Next
I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built together in the first chapter of the Link Health program leading up to this moment. We’ve secured over $5.2 million in funding to help families enroll in the benefits they deserve. We’ve signed contracts with private health systems to explore how Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement can make this work financially sustainable. We’ve launched a Certified Patient Navigator training program that has already prepared hundreds of pre-health students for healthcare careers, and we’ve developed AI-powered tools that streamline benefit enrollment — creating faster, more accessible pathways to support. I will continue to support Ar’Sheill here at Link Health and continue my writing and my research at the intersection of health and economic security.
Why This Moment Matters
Leadership transitions aren’t just about changing who’s at the helm — they’re about building momentum. They’re about asking: “Where do we go next?”
With Ar’Sheill as Executive Director, I am confident that the foundation we’ve built is ready to scale in both impact and ambition.
Her vision for what’s possible — especially at the intersection of health equity, technology, and workforce development — aligns deeply with the next phase of our growth. And her commitment to centering community voices ensures that the solutions we build will be by and for the people most affected.
Join Us
To everyone who’s supported us from the beginning — whether you’ve partnered, funded, volunteered, or simply followed our journey — thank you. Link Health would not exist without you.
And if you’re as excited about this next chapter as I am, I hope you’ll consider supporting Ar’Sheill as she steps into this new role.
You can do that at the link here. Every contribution, connection, and word of encouragement matters.
With immense gratitude and excitement for what lies ahead,
Dr. Alister Martin
Founder, Link Health
