Omnicity's History

Scarlett L. Schwartz, PhD, MPH (Cherokee/Tuscarora) founded Omnicity in 2002. She was motivated by her experience with her oldest son, who at age two, was diagnosed with severe ADHD. Scarlett dedicated herself to find answers and bring forth what she had learned to benefit others. She turned to the wisdom of her culture, the nourishment of the earth, and the strength in community. She was guided to begin research into the role of nutrition and environmental factors and their impact on our children. She completed her master’s degree in Public Health (MPH) at Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine in 1999. Her master’s thesis, Healing Our Children: A Parent’s Guide to Biologically Based Brain Disorders, is in the Library of Congress. She completed her Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration at VCU in 2011. Her son is now a healthy adult with a family of his own.

Omnicity's mission statement, as it matured, has come from the combined voices of community members in Central and Eastern Virginia who have the unending desire to help our children and families heal, grow and reach a brighter future.

Our Board of Directors

Melissa Canaday, President

Derrick Johnson, Esq

Kathleen O'Donnell, CPA