Tales from the Frontlines - Navigator Voices Series Pt. 8 With John Whigham

Join us this month as Dr. Enrique Enguidanos chats with John Whigham about his experience as a community health worker—and how his history of homelessness, food insecurity, and addiction have allowed him to find both empathy and empowerment in his street medicine work today.

JOHN WHIGHAM:
John Whigham is a dedicated Community Health Worker (CHW) specializing in street medicine at AHN's Center for Inclusion Health. John has faced many of the same challenges as the populations he serves, including homelessness, food insecurity, and battling addiction. As a former alcoholic and addict. John Whigham draws on his lived experience to connect with individual struggling with similar issues, providing a unique blend of empathy, authenticity, and hope.

A former United States Marine, John learned the value of resilience, teamwork and discipline -- qualities that now define his approach to community health work. After leaving the military, he successfully ran his own personal training business before transitioning to CHW work without formal outreach experience. Driven by a deep desire to give back and help others navigate the barriers he once faced, he quickly excelled in his role, becoming known for his ability to build trust and offer holistic support to people in need.

Today, John is a strong advocate for meeting people where they are, using his personal journey to inspire and empower others on their path to stability and recovery. His story is one of perseverance and transformation, making him an invaluable asset to the community and a powerful voice for those seeking change.