Natalie Shaffer

Communications Specialist, Access Community Health Network

Natalie Shaffer is a Communications Specialist at Access Community Health Network (ACCESS) where she leads the organization’s paid and organic digital and social media strategy to ensure ACCESS continues to be a strong community resource so patients can access critical primary and preventive health services and programs. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Natalie helped adapt the internal and external communications strategies so ACCESS could safely and effectively reach a high-risk patient population, overwhelmed community partners, and diverse workforce. Leveraging her communications and marketing expertise, she collaborates with program managers to develop integrated marketing campaigns that range from HIV treatment and prevention to maternal child health programs and services. 

Natalie is passionate about advancing health equity, especially in Chicago's communities that are historically medically underserved. She is a member of ACCESS’ Racial Justice and Health Equity committee, which focuses on developing a culture of self-reflection, racial justice, and health equity to benefit patients, staff, and communities. 

Prior to joining ACCESS, Natalie was a Public Affairs Coordinator at Oral Health America, focused on increasing access to oral health care and advocating for the expansion of Medicare to include a dental benefit. She has also worked in the Michigan House of Representatives as a legislative aide.

Natalie received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Studies from the University of Michigan.