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Areliz O. Barbosa is a proud Latina mother and seasoned Community Health Worker with over 24 years of experience addressing the social determinants of health across diverse communities. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Services from Springfield College in 2020.

As a trauma survivor, Areliz brings a powerful and authentic perspective to her work—blending lived experience with strong advocacy to uplift and support individuals navigating complex public and healthcare systems. Her career has been grounded in advancing racial equity and expanding access to essential resources. She firmly believes that every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of education, social class, race, gender identity, religion, mental health status, or substance use history.

Areliz currently serves as Clinical Assistant Professor and Project Coordinator for the SAMHSA initiative within the Physician Assistant Program at Bay Path University, where she leads interprofessional development, community engagement, and curriculum enhancement focused on behavioral health, trauma-informed care, and substance use disorder education.

She also serves as Assistant Project Coordinator for the Community Health Worker program at Holyoke Community College's Workforce Development Center, helping to train and mentor future CHWs with a focus on equity, empowerment, and lived experience.

Areliz is a member of the New England Public Health Training Center (NEPHTC) Advisory Committee, where she advocates for the voices of Community Health Workers and calls for inclusive representation across all levels of public and healthcare systems.

She provides expert insight to medical students through several key initiatives, including:

• Baystate’s Wellness on Wheels, where she emphasizes trust-building between providers and patients;

• Baystate’s Population-Based Urban and Rural Community Health Committee, where she contributes to culturally informed panel discussions; and

• Bay Path University’s HSRA Advisory Board, where she shares strategies for culturally humble engagement and serving diverse populations.

In addition to her advocacy and academic roles, Areliz is the Founder and CEO of Olivia’s Mission LLC, a community-rooted initiative dedicated to wellness, equity, and empowerment.