Crossing the Threshold, Leading the Movement

It was in the late 1980s when literacy and health began to surface in the same sentence and be heard throughout the health care industry. Up to that point, the low literacy climb had been a steep one, but gradually, health care advocates came on board to listen and learn about this growing problem in America. And if they listened closely, they heard about, and read the work of, Jann Keenan.  

It was the tipping point for health literacy, and there was Jann, pushing the idea over the edge and into the hearts and minds of health care providers, advocates, and colleagues around the country. She knew long ago it was time for a change.

Raising Awareness, Making Changes
A well-respected leader in the field of health literacy and public health, Jann has spent nearly 25 years advocating for the health and welfare of patients through her work writing, designing, and creating health initiatives and social marketing campaigns for major public health organizations and pharmaceutical companies.

In 1995, she formed The Keenan Group, Inc. to bring together a bank of talented experts in adult education, communications, marketing, usability, evaluation, graphic design, and videography. Together they have raised awareness and changed the landscape.

Today Jann is on the National Publications Board of the American Diabetes Association; on the Executive Board of Directors for Food Allergy Awareness; is a founding member of Maryland Health Literacy for All, and is on the Howard County, Maryland Community Empowerment Steering Committee. She is also a founding member of the Clear Language Group.

Jann holds a B.S. in telecommunications and English, an M.S. in instructional design and an Ed.S. in instructional systems technology from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.

Julia Wittner

Julia Wittner believes in the power of words and images to transform behavior, improve quality of life, and save lives. That's why she so enjoys working in the field of health literacy.

Prior to joining The Keenan Group in 2000, Julia worked for New Readers Press, U.S. publishing division of ProLiteracy Worldwide. Here she gained a deep understanding of how to write for people with limited literacy and students of English as a second language. She brings her extensive knowledge of cultural considerations to Keenan Group clients.

Julia earned a B.A. in English and American Literature from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. She received an M.A. in Magazine Writing and Editing from Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York.