Chanda Hinton
Chanda Center for Health
When you look into the face of Chanda Hinton, you see vitality and radiant health; you see a young woman with passion and determination; you see a person of strength and purpose. If you glance down from her face, you will see her wheelchair, and you realize the goals of the nonprofit organization she founded 17 years ago. You will see that her role is rooted in her own personal story.
Chanda is the Executive Director of the Chanda Center for Health, which provides access to holistic, collaborative, accessible and competent healthcare programs to individuals with physical disabilities. In 2009, she led the movement to pass Colorado House Bill 1047, which created the Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Waiver, offering acupuncture, massage, and chiropractic care through Medicaid to evaluate cost-effectiveness and improve quality of life for persons with spinal cord injuries in the Denver metro area. In 2021, the movement evolved and expanded these services legislatively to other diagnoses and to be a statewide benefit.
In addition to her work (passion), Chanda presents to diverse audiences about healthcare and disability. Her previous honors include the 2008 Unsung Hero Award from Mayor Hickenlooper in honor of Denver’s 150th anniversary, 2010 Health & Wellness Award from the Commission for People with Disabilities, 2015 Kathy Vincent award from the Colorado Cross Disability Coalition, 2015 Diversity Award from Mayor Hancock, Denver Business Journal 2017 40 under 40 honoree, 2019 Linda Andre Lifetime Trailblazer Award from the Colorado Fund for People with Disabilities and 2019 AMTA National Government Relations Activist Award, and Colorado Women's Chamber 2020 Top 25 Powerful Women.
Chanda is from Nebraska and has a bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Denver and earned a Masters in Nonprofit Management from Regis University. In her spare time (wait, what spare time?), she enjoys cheesy ‘80s chick flicks, thoughtful conversations with people in the community and spending time with loved ones.
