There were many firsts on this trip to APHA.
This trip marked my first time as an APHA member, my first time at an APHA conference, my first time submitting an abstract, my first time getting it accepted, and my first time presenting at a conference. Being in San Diego was certainly a perk of the trip, but it was just one part of what made me feel all warm and fuzzy (seriously- from 30 degree to 80 degree November days- I almost didn’t come home). The focus of the APHA conference was “Creating the Healthiest Nation: Healthy Equity Now.”.
The messages we all heard were inspiring to our current work and where we need to focus for the future. It was such a great reminder to continue moving forward and be sure to focus and place the energy into helping those most marginalized in our communities by addressing social determinants of health and engaging them in our work. I’m proud to be a small piece of the puzzle as we work with partners who do just that and hope we all strive to find ways to do more where we are able. What a great opportunity this trip was!! I was proud to represent ECHO and the Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center, as well as copresent with one of our great partners, the Community Health Association of the Mountain Plains States. Thanks for letting me use my voice to ECHO our collaborative work!!