During its annual meeting in December 2024, the Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax elected a new co-chair, welcomed new members to the steering committee, and said good-bye to two dedicated staff members who are retiring. Members also received an update on the progress of compiling the Health Department’s 2025 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).

First formed in 2010, the Partnership is a coalition of community members and organizations that are working together to explore new approaches for addressing critical public health issues. This is a widely diverse group of individuals, community organizations, schools, healthcare providers, nonprofits, businesses, faith communities and government agencies.

During the meeting, India Richards was elected to serve a three-year term as co-chair of the Partnership, sharing leadership duties with Deron Campbell, who continues his first term as co-chair. Ms. Richards has dedicated her career to advancing community health through leadership, strategic planning, and collaborative efforts.  She is currently a project manager at Health Care Dynamics International, where she leads a team overseeing the development and execution of healthcare programs. Ms. Richards will take over duties from Ondrea McIntyre-Hall, whose term has now ended.

New members of the Partnership’s steering committee were introduced to attendees. Attorney Kristi Guillory, Manisha Maskay, and George Mason University professor Xiaoquan Zhao will begin their terms of service this month. 

Diane Charles, Manager of the Fairfax Food Council and Susan Sanow, Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax Program Manager, were recognized for their commitment to the vision of healthier communities and the mission of the Partnership and the Partnership Teams. Both are now retired from Fairfax County.  Carrie Cannon, MPA, Health Promotion Coordinator for the Health Department, has been named as Interim Program Manager until a new manger is hired.

Meeting attendees also heard a progress report on the creation of the next Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).  Sarah White, Strategic Partnerships Manager in the Health Department’s Division of Community Health Development, described the process of collecting input on various public health issues from individuals and organizations in Fairfax County and the Cities of Falls Church and Fairfax. They gathered important feedback that will be of critical importance and serve as a basis for determining the priority health issues the CHIP will address. White shared that work groups are forming now to create action steps that can be taken to address the identified issues, with a particular focus on communities that experience the greatest health disparities.

Learn more about the Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax, and what you can do to get involved by visiting the Live Healthy Fairfax webpage.