Health Department

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our administration office at 10777 Main Street in Fairfax is open during regular business hours 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday. Clinic services are not offered at this location.
703-246-2411 TTY 711
10777 Main Street
Fairfax, VA 22030
Gloria Addo-Ayensu, M.D., M.P.H.
Director of Health

Department Resources

Powerful Partnerships Were the Focus of the Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax Annual Meeting

 

Logo image for the Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax program

On Friday, February 27, the Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax (PFHF) held their Annual Meeting at the Fairfax County Government Center to launch the new Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). More than 100 people attended and discussed the importance of working together to achieve the vision of a healthier Fairfax community.

Members of the Multicultural Advisory Council (MAC) also joined the members of PFHF to meet others working to enhance the health and well-being of Fairfax communities, especially those with the highest levels of health disparities, and to engage in conversations around common goals presented in the new CHIP.

A panel presentation on the “Power of Partnership” highlighted how different forms of partnership can look, the importance of centering the voices of community members with lived experience and facing health disparities, and that it is ok to start small and refine approaches before implementing on a larger scale. Vinu Ilakkuvan, Founder and Principal, PoP Health, LLC served as panel moderator. 

Panelist included Sonya Breehey, Northern Virginia Advocacy Director/Operations Coordinator, Coalition for Smarter Growth; Lynette Sappe-Watkins, Executive Director, Culmore Clinic, and Yolonda Earl-Thompson, Executive Director of LAZERA Ministries who shared, “At LAZERA Ministries, we’ve seen firsthand that proximity changes perspective. When we make room for youth voice, family voice, and lived experience, the work becomes more authentic — and more effective.”

Health Director Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu speaks to the attendees
Panel discussion on the power of partnerships
Panel members included Vinu Ilakkuvan, Sonya Breehey, Lynette Sappe-Watkins, and Yolonda Earl-Thompson,
Partnership Coordinator Gillian Kimura presents the Community Health Improvement Plan to attendees

Time was allotted during the second half of the meeting for attendees to review the CHIP and the goals and action steps for each of four Priority Areas outlined in the plan. Those in attendance were also invited to join in the work or align the work of their organization with one of the priority area teams: Promoting Behavioral Health, Food Access & Healthy Eating (Food Council), Healthy Environment & Active Living (HEAL), or Healthcare Access & Use. 

Gillian Kimura, Program Coordinator for the PFHF commented, “Watching so many connections being made across our community—both at the individual and organizational levels—was a powerful reminder of what this is all about: coming together to connect, share learning, and work collectively to improve the health of Fairfax. But this is just the beginning. The work, and the fun, of connecting and creating solutions to address health disparities across the county still lies ahead.”

Active participation in CHIP implementation is essential for success, and both current partners and new stakeholders are invited to join in the important work ahead.  Become a part of the Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax today and drive positive, lasting changes for our community.

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