The landscape of public health is shifting rapidly. Today, public health champions find themselves operating in an era defined by deep political divides, heightened emotional burnout, and systemic funding challenges. Yet, despite these headwinds, local and regional networks are proving that meaningful progress is not only possible, it is already happening.
At the Vermont Public Health Association’s (VtPHA) 2026 Annual Meeting, these exact challenges took center stage during a featured panel discussion titled “Meeting the Moment: Strengthening Regional and Local Networks for Public Health Resilience.”
Moderated by VtPHA member Dr. Beth Malow, the panel brought together a diverse group of leaders representing different health sectors and geographic scales. From hyper-local volunteer initiatives to multi-state legislative coalitions, the panelists answered critical questions about how to channel energy for maximum impact, bridge ideological divides, and get involved in the future of public health.
Navigating Political Divides and Deep Emotions
One of the most pressing questions posed by Dr. Malow was how to effectively meet public health needs when public discourse is fractured. In a climate where health initiatives can quickly become politicized, the panelists agreed that one antidote to division is radical localism and hyper-focused community care.
When public health initiatives are decoupled from sweeping political rhetoric and re-anchored in basic human needs—like food, shelter, and basic medical care—the narrative changes. By focusing on shared values, such as dignity, wellness, and community safety, public health networks can bypass ideological roadblocks and deliver life-saving services directly to the people who need them most.
Success Stories: Driving Impact from the Hyper-Local to the Regional
The panel excelled at illustrating that “impact” looks different depending on where you stand. The speakers highlighted successful, ongoing initiatives across three distinct tiers of public health organizing:
1.The Hyper-Local Level: The Free Access Health Clinic
Dr. Umair Malik, President of the Free Access Health Clinic, brought a deeply human perspective to the stage. He shared moving stories from South Burlington’s mosque-based free health clinic. Powered entirely by the dedication and generosity of an all-volunteer medical and administrative staff, this clinic bridges critical gaps for underserved populations. By embedding healthcare directly within an existing, trusted community hub—a local mosque—the clinic removes geographic, financial, and cultural barriers to care, demonstrating the immense power of grassroots mutual aid.
2. The State Level: Vermont’s Food Security Roadmap
Moving from a single neighborhood to a statewide view, Becka Warren, Manager of the Vermont Food Security Coalition, discussed systemic collaborative efforts. Warren shared crucial lessons learned from building a state-wide coalition that successfully developed Vermont’s Food Security Roadmap. Rather than letting the plan sit on a shelf, the coalition is currently focused on the gritty, vital work of turning that strategic blueprint into tangible, on-the-ground results for Vermont families, showcasing how diverse stakeholders can align under a single, actionable vision.
3. The Regional and Federal Level: The Healthy States Collaborative
Taking the macro view, Becca Boulos, Executive Director of the Maine Public Health Association and leader of the Healthy States Collaborative, demonstrated how local lessons can influence national policy. Boulos shared her experiences networking various state-level public health organizations together. By pooling resources, data, and advocates across state lines, this collaborative has been able to amplify its voice, making a measurable impact on federal public health legislation.
Where to Put Your Energy: Advice for Getting Involved
For attendees asking where to direct their limited time and energy for the greatest return, the panelists offered clear, pragmatic advice for both seasoned professionals and newcomers looking to get involved:
- Look for Existing Trust: Don’t reinvent the wheel. Put your energy into organizations, faith-based spaces, or coalitions that have already established deep trust within the community they serve.
- Start Small, But Think Scalable: Whether it is volunteering a few hours at a local clinic or participating in a statewide coalition, small actions feed into the larger roadmap of public health resilience.
- Focus on the Action, Not the Noise: In an era of online debate, true resilience is built through offline execution. Align yourself with groups that are actively delivering services or directly lobbying for structural policy changes.
Optimism for Public Health Champions
If the 2026 VtPHA Annual Meeting proved anything, it is that public health is not a monolith controlled entirely by top-down federal agencies. It is a living, breathing ecosystem maintained by dedicated individuals.
In a time of undeniable challenge for public health advocates, these stories served as a powerful reminder: positive, systemic impact is entirely possible at all levels of organizing. By strengthening our local networks and learning from regional successes, we can build a public health infrastructure resilient enough to meet any moment.
Our Panelists
Dr. Beth Malow (Moderator) – Neurology physician, science communicator, and co-author of Beyond the Politics of Contempt: Practical Steps to Build Positive Relationships in Divided Times
Dr. Beth Malow is Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and holds the Burry Endowed Chair in Cognitive Childhood Development. She is keenly interested in communicating science to the public and policymakers, having completed a graduate certificate in Science and Health Communication from the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, at Stony Brook, New York. Her TEDx talk on The Art of Communicating Science has received more than 10,000 views. Her advocacy efforts in public health have ranged from developing videos to promote childhood vaccines in people with disabilities to later school start times for adolescents to increase sleep. She is the 2026 recipient of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s Advocacy Award. Beth is also active in bridging partisan differences as a workshop moderator for a national civil discourse organization, Braver Angels, and as the co-author of the award-winning book, Beyond the Politics of Contempt.
Becca Boulos (she/her/hers) – Executive Director, Maine Public Health Association
Becca Boulos is executive director of Maine Public Health Association. Her career in public health spans 20+ years, having worked for research institutions and non-profit organizations. She received her PhD from Tufts University, Master of Public Health degree from Yale University and BA from The George Washington University. Becca is the Past Chair of the American Public Health Association’s Action Board. In 2025, she was recognized with the APHA Council of Affiliates’ Chairs Citation for her federal advocacy efforts and in 2023 with the APHA Outstanding Affiliate Staff of the Year Award.
Dr. Umair Malik – President, Free Access Health Clinic
Dr. Umair Malik is a board-certified family physician in Vermont and serves as President of the Free Access Health Clinic in South Burlington, where he helps lead efforts to provide free medical care to uninsured members of the community. In addition to this work, he is the founder of Blue Spruce Health, a direct primary care practice focused on building strong patient-doctor relationships and expanding access to personalized primary care. Dr. Malik brings experience from both nonprofit and independent practice settings, with a strong interest in practical solutions that improve access, dignity, and continuity in healthcare.
Becka Warren (she/her) – Manager, Vermont Food Security Coalition
Becka Warren manages the Vermont Food Security Coalition, which is implementing the Vermont Food Security Roadmap to 2035 with partners across the state. Prior to joining Action Circles in this role, she worked at the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund where she managed the development of the Vermont Food Security Roadmap to 2035 and the nascent Coalition, after coordinating the Vermont Agriculture and Food System Strategic Plan 2021-2030 writing process. Becka has 25+ years of experience in food systems project management.
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