Ella Casalenda, BSW,

is a Diabetes Wellness Coach and research coordinator for the HHCJ Lab. Her current focuses are working with participants that have type 2 diabetes and experiencing unstable housing and those with opioid use disorder inside the Hennepin County Jail. Prior to working at Hennepin Healthcare, Ella worked in chemical dependency treatment centers as admissions and care coordination staff, intake social worker in a behavioral health clinic and a correctional officer in the Workhouse. Ella enjoys fitness, podcasts and audiobooks, cooking and time with her son. She has a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Bemidji State.