Healthy Lifestyles Partnership Summit
Healthy Lifestyles Partnership Summit
April 16, 2026
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Delta Hotels Utica
Click here to register or fill out the form below!
This event is hosted by The Center, Excellus BlueCross Blue Shield and Mohawk Valley Health
System.
Join your colleagues from across the Mohawk Valley to learn more about approaches for improving the health and quality of life of our communities. The day will be kicked off by Dr. Mauvareen
Beverley, President of Mauvareen Beverley, M.D., PLLC, Patient Engagement and Cultural Competence Specialist. She is an executive-level physician and a fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) with over twenty years of experience advocating for improving patient engagement and cultural competence for all populations, especially African American communities.
Additional sessions and workshops focus on:
- Making Healthcare and Services Accessible for Populations – with a focus on rural and behavioral health populations and youth
- Cultural Awareness for Medical Professionals/Community Service Providers
- Effective Partnerships and Collaboration
- Health Equity Ambassadors and Community Advisory Group
This free program, sponsored by the Mohawk Valley Healthy Lifestyles Partnership, is open to all community members and organizations interested in learning more about collaboration and community health improved and networking with others in our region.
Program Details
10 a.m.
Opening Remarks
10:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Keynote Address – Achieving Health Equity
Mauvareen Beverley, MD, national thought leader and expert in patient engagement and health equity
11:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Oneida County Community Health Assessment
Daniel W. Gilmore, PhD, MPH
Director of Health, Oneida County Health Department
11:45 a.m. to 12:30
Networking Lunch
12:30 to 1:15/30
Concurrent Workshops (3)
Making Healthcare & Services Accessible to Communities/Populations
Meeting the needs of rural populations – Jessica Perusse, Executive Director, Camden Life Center
Reaching out to the homeless and Behavioral Health/SUD populations – Dane Robinson, Street Outreach Team, ICAN
Focusing on Youth Services – CNY Health Home/Connected Community Schools – Danielle Martin, Executive Director
Where Does the Medicine Go? – Cultural Awareness for Medical Professionals/Community Service Providers – Shana Pugh Dean, Associate Director, Social Enterprise The Center
Lessons Learned: Panel discussion of successful health equity partnerships –
Food as Medicine – James Paul, Founder/Director, Blacque Acres and Dr. Cynthia Jones, Chief Medical Officer, Mosaic Health
Community collaboration: MV Healthy Lifestyles Partnership – Lisa Volo, Senior Director, Behavioral Health & Community Services, MVHS and Jennifer VanWagoner, Director of Strategic Initiatives, The Center
Grassroots community outreach & education – Jackie Nelson, President, NAACP Rome Branch and Teoka Muhammad, The Carol L. Crooms BECA Center
1:30/1:45 to 2:30/45
Concurrent Workshops (3)
Making Healthcare & Services Accessible to Communities/Populations
Meeting the needs of rural populations – Jessica Perusse, Executive Director, Camden Life Center
Reaching out to the homeless and Behavioral Health/SUD populations – Dane Robinson, Street Outreach Team, ICAN
Focusing on Youth Services – CNY Health Home/Connected Community Schools – Danielle Martin, Executive Director
Where Does the Medicine Go? – Cultural Awareness for Medical Professionals/Community Service Providers – Shana Pugh Dean, Associate Director, Social Enterprise The Center
Lessons Learned: Panel discussion of successful health equity partnerships –
Food as Medicine – James Paul, Founder/Director, Blacque Acres and Dr. Cynthia Jones, Chief Medical Officer, Mosaic Health
Community collaboration: MV Healthy Lifestyles Partnership – Lisa Volo, Senior Director, Behavioral Health & Community Services, MVHS and Jennifer VanWagoner, Director of Strategic Initiatives, The Center
Grassroots community outreach & education – Jackie Nelson, President, NAACP Rome Branch and Teoka Muhammad, The Carol L. Crooms BECA Center
3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The Power of Collaboration – Health Equity Ambassadors and Community Advisory Group
Simone E. Edwards, DrPH, MPH
VP, Health Equity & Community Investments
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
Register today!
