October 6, 2026
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Maryland Department of Health hosts 22nd annual health equity conference
Baltimore, MD – The Maryland Department of Health’s Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities today hosted its 22nd annual health equity conference, "From Capacity to Impact– Building Stronger Communities for a Healthier Maryland," in Baltimore. The annual event brought together community leaders, public health professionals, and state officials committed to strengthening community-driven strategies, reducing health disparities, and expanding health resources across Maryland.
“Fostering collaboration across the Maryland Department of Health, state partners, and community-based organizations is crucial to advancing health equity across the state,” said Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani. “State data helps us identify priority health issues and gaps, but community perspectives provide the vital insights that drive our state-level decisions and policymaking.”
The event opened with a plenary address by Sonja L. Banks, who has more than 36 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and capacity-building through strategic grant writing, community partnerships, and organizational training. The session continued with a discussion involving Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani. She stressed the importance of cross-sector collaboration and community involvement to promote health equity, highlighting state strategies for tackling health disparities and how community insights shape public health policies. This introduction established the day's focus, highlighting the importance of lived experiences, data-based approaches, and collective leadership in creating healthier Maryland communities.
The featured conversation between Maryland Secretary of Health Dr. Meena Seshamani and Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities Director Dr. Shondelle Wilson-Frederick emphasized the state's commitment to promoting health equity
The afternoon sessions further highlighted tools for state-level engagement and resource alignment through targeted breakout panels. Attendees explored ways to leverage data and identify key disparity gaps during the From Data to Action panel with perspectives from the Maryland Department of Planning, Chesapeake Regional Information System for our Patients (CRISP), and community leaders. Additional breakouts offered guidance on serving on state commissions, with insights from the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives and the Maryland Commission on Health Equity. A panel of Deputy Secretaries for Behavioral Health, Public Health Services, and Medicaid and Health Care Financing, along with the Director of the State Office of Rural Health, highlighted key MDH funding opportunities.
The moderated sessions highlighted practical strategies to promote health equity, including increasing diverse community representation on state commissions, using public health data to improve Marylanders' health, strengthening local initiatives, and outlining state grant opportunities and funding options to build partner capacity. Speakers focused on actionable methods such as using data for targeted interventions and fostering sustainable partnerships to amplify community voices. By providing attendees with accessible data, grant information, and civic engagement pathways, the conference enhanced statewide collaboration to ensure all Marylanders have the resources to achieve optimal health.
Established in 2004, the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities leads state efforts to eliminate health disparities, address social determinants of health, and advance health equity for all Marylanders. The Office funds community-driven initiatives, facilitates public and private partnerships, and leverages population health data to inform policy and advance health equity across underserved communities. Aligned with its core mission, the Office hosts its annual health equity conference to connect community leaders, researchers, and public health professionals with the resources, data, and collaborative strategies.
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The Maryland Department of Health is dedicated to protecting and improving the health and safety of all Marylanders through disease prevention, access to care, quality management and community engagement.
