Maryland Department of Health Hosts 22nd Annual Health Equity Conference

The Maryland Department of Health hosted its 22nd annual health equity conference, gathering community leaders, public health professionals, and state officials in Baltimore to expand community-driven strategies and address health disparities. The event, titled From Capacity to Impact– Building Stronger Communities for a Healthier Maryland, took place through the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities, health.maryland.gov reported.

Sonja L. Banks Delivers Opening Address on Capacity Building

The conference opened with a plenary address by Sonja L. Banks. Banks brought more than 36 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and capacity-building to the event. Her background encompasses strategic grant writing, community partnerships, and organizational training. Her opening remarks set the stage for subsequent discussions emphasizing the importance of lived experiences, data-based approaches, and collective leadership in creating healthier communities across Maryland.

Following the opening address, Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani participated in a featured discussion with Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities Director Dr. Shondelle Wilson-Frederick. Dr. Seshamani stressed the importance of cross-sector collaboration and community involvement to promote health equity. She highlighted state strategies for tackling health disparities and detailed how community insights shape public health policies throughout the state.

Afternoon Breakout Panels Align State Resources and Data

The afternoon agenda featured targeted breakout panels designed to explore tools for state-level engagement and resource alignment. Attendees participated in the From Data to Action panel, which incorporated perspectives from the Maryland Department of Planning, the Chesapeake Regional Information System for our Patients, known as CRISP, and community leaders. Additional breakout sessions provided guidance on serving on state commissions, drawing insights from the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives and the Maryland Commission on Health Equity.

State Officials Outline Funding Opportunities for Local Initiatives

A panel consisting of the Deputy Secretaries for Behavioral Health, Public Health Services, and Medicaid and Health Care Financing, alongside the Director of the State Office of Rural Health, detailed key Maryland Department of Health funding opportunities. The moderated sessions outlined practical strategies to promote health equity, such as increasing diverse community representation on state commissions, utilizing public health data to improve resident health outcomes, and clarifying state grant options to build partner capacity.