Teamwork, for me, feels a lot like marriage. It’s built on trust, communication, and a shared goal that keeps both sides moving in the same direction. When I think about partnership, I don’t just think about a signed agreement or a project plan. I think about the relationship that forms when two organizations decide to show up for one another—and for the communities they serve.
As a Community Partnership Lead at Acclinate, I’ve learned that no two partnerships are the same. Some begin with a single event, others start with a shared idea, and many grow from candid conversations that uncover new ways to collaborate. But every successful one starts with alignment. If we don’t share the same sense of purpose, it’s hard to move toward a greater one together.
Before I ever reach out to a potential partner, I ask myself: Do their values mirror ours? Acclinate’s mission has always been about health equity and access to care. So when I talk with a new organization, I listen for their “why.” What drives them? Who are they serving? And how does their story connect to the communities we care about?
When that alignment exists, partnership becomes less about reaching objectives and more about building trust. We start with clear expectations—regular check-ins, active listening, and space for honest feedback. I also make it a point to bring those conversations back to my leadership and community teams so we’re aligned internally before we ever make a public move.
That feedback loop—where everyone’s voice is heard and repeated back for clarity—is what keeps our relationships strong. It ensures that we don’t just hear what we want to hear, but truly understand what’s being said. It’s how we make sure we deliver what we promise.
I’ve always believed that accountability speaks to character. But taking ownership isn’t merely following up on commitments. It requires having the humility to ask for help when you need it. At Acclinate, we work across so many teams that it’s impossible to do everything alone. When one of us needs support, someone else steps in. That’s how we stay balanced.
Transparency plays a big role in that approach. If something’s taking longer than expected, or a task feels like a heavy lift, speaking up is crucial. Being honest about what’s realistic keeps everyone moving forward together. It also builds trust, because no one feels blindsided or left guessing.
To me, self-awareness is part of that transparency. It's easy to know what you're doing well. But acknowledging where we might fall short and inviting others to collaborate on fixing those gaps is the difficult work. And it’s how effective teamwork happens.
“Being honest about what’s realistic keeps everyone moving forward together.”
A few months ago, I attended a fundraising event for one of our long-term partners here in Detroit. I thought I was there to network, hand out materials, and show support. But what I got was a powerful reminder of what partnership really means.
The founder—who started his organization as a health episode survivor—pulled me aside for a candid conversation. He told me, “We need more opportunities to shine. We need to be on bigger stages, in more cities, reaching more people.”
I went into the initiative thinking locally. He was thinking nationally. That conversation pushed me to expand my own perspective of impact. Since then, I’ve helped connect his organization with others across states who share his mission, so they can collaborate and amplify each other’s voices.
That moment stuck with me because it reminded me that partnerships should evolve. They should challenge us to think bigger and do better. Growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones, but in conversation.
One of my favorite examples of how partnership creates real-world change came from our “Brunch and Learn” series across Michigan. We hosted events focused on myasthenia gravis (MG), a rare neuromuscular disorder, with the goal of spreading awareness and connecting patients to care.
The first few events for this initiative were small. Attendance was lower than we had hoped. But instead of retreating, our team doubled down. We went back into the community—put up flyers, talked to local leaders, even printed yard signs and placed them around town. We met people where they were.
By the time we hosted our final session, the room was full. People were sharing their stories—about MG, about multiple sclerosis, about cancer. One young attendee told us she hadn’t been able to reach her doctor. A panelist, a physician, immediately handed her his contact information. They followed up after the event and built a new connection that may not have happened otherwise.
Moments like that remind me why we do this work. You can plan logistics all day, but it’s the willingness to stay flexible, to listen, and to show up that creates impact.
That’s how I like to think about partnerships—like planting seeds. Every conversation, every collaboration, every event has the potential to grow into something bigger than you imagined.
For me, that’s what makes this role so fulfilling. I’ve had the chance to witness communities grow stronger because someone took the time to listen, to connect, and to care. Whether it’s a men’s mental health organization expanding across states or a young person finding a new healthcare resource, the ripple effect is palpable.
When I think about the future, I see even more opportunities for connection. I see partnerships that include youth, returning citizens, people from all backgrounds and economic experiences. There is so much more for us to learn about expanding access to quality, connected care. And only by scaling our conversations, in a deeply personal way, can we continue understanding all that’s required to ensure everyone has a seat at the table.
As someone who once shied away from group projects, I’ve learned that real teamwork does indeed make the dream work—and it makes the mission meaningful. When we come together with honesty, alignment, and shared purpose, we create partnerships that compound into communities.
Want to learn more about our parternships? Schedule a 1:1 with our team.