Dear Community Partner,

Baltimore never takes a backseat to public health. Public health saves lives every day, but because there is no face of prevention, it is often difficult to make the case for our core services that protect and promote health for our residents.

This past week, the dedicated team at BCHD presented our programs and services to the Baltimore City Council. I always say that I have the best job in the world, and I was very proud to represent the dedicated women and men of BCHD who are on the frontlines every day to work on maternal and child health, senior services, trauma and mental healthcare, violence prevention, HIV/AIDS and STD services, environmental health, and much more.

It is crucial for us to support the programs, services, and dedicated staff who make this work possible. Each day, our team of “Public Health Heroes” interacts with the residents of Baltimore to keep them safe and well. For example, BCHD’s Acute Communicable Disease team serves as Baltimore’s disease detectives to investigate new cases or outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as meningitis, legionella, Zika, and Ebola. The team also works on innovative projects to connect patients with necessary treatments and care.

This week, we also hosted the semi-annual Project Presence photo exhibit andBaltimore in Conversation storytelling event, which are part of BCHD’s IMPACT Campaign, funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to deliver enhanced HIV care and prevention to those living with or vulnerable to HIV.

We need support for such successful and evidence-based approaches to public health challenges across our city. On Monday, I was honored to deliver the commencement keynote at the Maryland University of Integrative Health, which values the practice of human- and community-centered care. I joined many of the incredible leaders who have helped shape the institution, including Professor Emerita Sister Charlotte Kerr and Board Chair Adele Wilzack, who has many years of service beginning with her time as a nurse and outreach worker at the Baltimore City Health Department.

There are so many people across our city and state who continue to work to promote well-being—these are the true public health heroes who we must celebrate. I end this letter with a heartfelt thank you to those committed and incredible staff who inspire me every day.

Sincerely,

Leana S. Wen, M.D., M.Sc.