ABOUT US

Goal of the Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria

To improve the health and well-being of everyone who lives, works and plays in Alexandria. This goal is achieved by facilitating and supporting community action to address Alexandria’s Community Health Improvement Plan’s priorities.

Who We Are

The Partnership is a community-led coalition that works to advance, promote and encourage healthy activities and actions by everyone who lives, works and plays in Alexandria. It was founded in the belief that to address priority health areas, we must come together as a community -- bringing a unique blend of talents, experience, perspectives and passion to identify action-oriented, evidence-based solutions. The Partnership was created in 2006 as a result of the first ever City of Alexandria Community Health Assessment.

The Partnership is led by a steering committee dedicated to improving health outcomes among Alexandrians. The committee serves as the governing board for the Partnership. The Committee is comprised of representatives from businesses, nonprofits, community coalitions, City boards and commissions, health care clinics and organizations, Alexandria Health Department, Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services, foundations, and passionate residents looking to make a difference.

The Steering Committee meets the second Wednesday of every month, 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. If you are interested in attending a Steering Committee meeting, please contact Allen Lomax at Aclomax@aol.com for the venue /location and any last minute changes in schedule.

Making An Impact

Through collaborations with community organizations and Alexandria residents the Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria helped to:

Increase Alexandrians’ awareness of mental health issues and resources through co-sponsored community meetings and conversations.

Assess the state of hunger and food insecurity in Alexandria and issue a report on the assessment titled, "Toward an End to Hunger in Alexandria."

Create Hunger Free Alexandria, a broad coalition of organizations working together to address ending hunger in a comprehensive manner.

Secure funding from the City Council to establish a food center in Alexandria.

Change vending machine offerings in City buildings ensuring only healthy foods options are provided.

Encourage the City of Alexandria government to place "Thank you for not smoking" signs in all Alexandria parks, playgrounds and bus shelters.

PARTNERSHIP FOR A HEALTHIER ALEXANDRIA STEERING COMMITTEE

Members

Allen Lomax, Chair, Community Member

Jim Scott, Vice Chair, President, Applied Policy

Mary Lee Anderson, Executive Director, Senior Services of Alexandria

Marion Brunken, Executive Director, Volunteer Alexandria

Debra Collins, Community Member and Retired Alexandria Deputy City Manager

Jim Durham, Alexandria Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Representative

Jim Epstein, Board of Trustees, Frank and Betty Wright Foundation

Jeanine Finch, Director, Government Affairs, CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield

Laurie Flynn, Community Member, Former Executive Director, NAMI

Ann Harbour, Director, Government Affairs for the Commonwealth of Virginia, Johns Hopkins University & Medicine

Dr. Basim Khan, Executive Director, Neighborhood Health

Patrick Killeen, Community Member

Jane Knops, Director, Community Partnerships and Communications, Neighborhood Health

Rachel Lynch, Program Director, Northern Virginia Health Foundation

JeanAnn Mayhan, Principal, Mayhan Associates – Researchers for HealthCare, Alexandria Medical Reserve Corps

Helen Morris, Chair, Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy

Col. Jim Paige (Retired), Executive Director, Concerned Citizens Network of Alexandria

Melissa Poretz Riddy, Director, Eastern Region, Government and Community Relations, Inova

John Porter, Educator, Former President and CEO of ACT for Alexandria

Tricia Rodgers, Community Member and Public Health Expert

Stacey Swartz, Co-Owner and Pharmacist in Charge, The Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray

Aisha Salzar, Associate Extension Agent, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech

Nigel Walker, MHA, Director, Community Health Programs, Inova Community Health and Health Equity

Ex-Officio Members

Kate Garvey, Director, Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services

Natalie Talis, Population Health Manager, Alexandria Health Department

Sean Curry, Public Health Planner, Alexandria Health Department

Lina Zimmerman, Population Health Epidemiologist, Alexandria Health Department

Chelsea Eickert, Coordinator, Alexandria Children and Youth Community Plan, Alexandria Department of

Community and Human Services

Maggie Ryan, Coordinator, Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy

Emma Beall, Coordinator, Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria

Kara Blanker, Philanthropic Advisor, Frank and Betty Wright Foundation

THE PARTNERSHIP IS A MEMBER OF THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS

Alexandria Council of Human Service Organizations

Suicide Prevention Coalition of Northern Virginia

Mayor’s Campaign to End Bullying in Alexandria

Northern Virginia Oral Health Alliance of the Virginia Health Catalyst

Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness in the City of Alexandria

Resilience Alexandria: Inform Support Elevate (RAISE) [Trauma Informed Community Network]

Additionally, the Partnership has a designated representative, appointed by the Alexandria City Council,

on the Alexandria Public Health Advisory Commission.