Health Summit Explores & Celebrates Civic Leadership
Two community leaders from Caswell recognized as Change Makers.
The Health Collaborative of the Dan River Region held its 2026 Health Summit – Reconnecting the Region on Wednesday, January 14th at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville.
The event, which was focused on Civic Health, featured a local panel discussion facilitated by Rachel Covington with Leadership Southside. Joining Rachel in the discussion were Clark Casteel (Danville Regional Foundation), Bianca Lee (Caswell County) Portia Fitzgerald (Pittsylvania County), and Amanda Paez (City of Danville.)
“What we need in our communities is not customers making demands, but citizens who are cocreating their future,” Casteel offered. “We need everyone working together to create a community of we.”
There was a great deal of discussion around how much communities can improve outcomes when individuals are willing to come together around a shared vision. Some in attendance expressed concern as to what happens when there is no shared vision and pointed to how deeply divided the country seemed to be in this moment.
Paez pointed out that “focusing on the collective good” can often be done much more effectively at the local level. Other panelists agreed, noting that at the local level, it was much easier to do – to actively work together on a project as opposed to getting locked into big discussions about deeply held beliefs or political positions.
Casteel reminded the room that ultimately, most everyone wants the ability to earn a living wage and live in a safe, healthy environment with access to clean water, healthy food, and quality healthcare and education. It is often the strategies, the “how we get there”, that people disagreed over.
The panel highlighted the need for citizen participation in decision-making processes and encouraged regular attendance of public meetings along with board or committee service as ways to become more active.
“But what happens when our participation is received as a question of disruption versus a question of concern,” one event guest asked.
Lee and Fitzgerald stressed the importance of mindful communication and relationships.
“Sometimes they’re scared too,” Lee suggested, reminding the group that tone, approach, even timing often determine whether someone becomes defensive or argumentative, which generally leads to less productive dialogue.
“But you cannot let that stop you from showing up,” Fitzgerald said of any resistance you may encounter.
Other panelists agreed, everyone noting that the work of establishing and maintaining relationships was a crucial part of creating an environment where productive discussion could occur.
Richard Young, Founder and Executive Director of CivicLex was the event's keynote speaker. CivicLex is a nonprofit in Lexington, Kentucky that works to help the community understand and get involved in local issues, connect with their neighbors, and have a say in decision making. Young shared key learnings from the eight years CivicLex has spent working with their local government and schools to improve civic education and engagement in their community.
Measuring Improvement
To help evaluate the impact of its work, The Health Collaborative is using the National Civic League’s Civic Index, a self-assessment tool designed to measure a community’s civic capital, or the formal and informal relationships, networks and capacities that communities use to help make decisions and solve problems.
In an effort to establish a point-in-time baseline, The Health Collaborative is asking those who live, work, or play in Caswell County, the city of Danville, or Pittsylvania County, Virginia to complete the Civic Index by January 31. You can access that link HERE.
Celebrating Collaborative Efforts
The Health Collaborative also celebrated collaborative efforts to improve the health and overall well-being of the Dan River Region.
The Health Collaborative’s Change Makers Award highlights and celebrates organizations, community groups, and/or individuals who are going above and beyond to improve the health and well-being of the Dan River Region.
The community was asked to nominate individuals and organizations whose efforts impacted Caswell County, NC; City of Danville, VA; or Pittsylvania County; took place between January 1, 2024 and November 1, 2025; and valued health equity, impact, and community building.
The Health Collaborative’s 2026 Change Makers are:
- Nicole Gibson with the Caswell County Department of Public Health – Nominators highlighted her consistent presence in the community, saying that she goes above and beyond to ensure that Caswell County is receiving health education and emergency preparedness education but also working to ensure that community members are involved in the assessment, planning, and decision-making processes of the Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plans.
- Dominick Grembi with Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services – Nominators highlighted his dedicated leadership and advocacy in the Dan River Region, raising awareness of substance abuse and mental health resources, noting that “his work empowering youth, leading trainings, and fostering community collaboration reflects his compassion and servant leadership, making him a true Change Maker who inspires hope and positive change.”
- Martina Tatum with Gateway Health – Nominators highlight that she consistently goes above and beyond for every client, meeting people where they are and treating each situation with compassion and respect. As a Certified Community Health Worker, she advocates for health equity by ensuring all clients regardless of barriers receive support, resources, and dignity. Nominators point out that “her leadership strengthens our team and builds real community trust, connection, and impact.”
- Karen Williamson with Caswell County Council for the Arts – Nominators highlighted her efforts to use the arts as a catalyst for community well-being and development particularly through the Arts Unplugged summer camp, Caswell County Student Art Show, Caswell County Farmers Market, a Visionary Art Show: Hoopla, and the Before Us Mural which celebrates four iconic figures from Yanceyville. The impact is seen in increased social cohesion, improved mental well-being, greater vibrancy of our community spaces and the creation of safe, joyful places for self-expression and connection
- United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County, accepted by UWDPC President/CEO, Cathy Gore – Nominators highlighted that UWDPC advances health equity and strengthens community through strategic funding and collaboration. They point to the newly launched DRROST Network, which is designed to help strengthen the voice of providers in the Dan River Region and ensure that children and youth receive thriving, critical hours beyond the school day, as just one example of the impactful work done by UWDPC.
Learn More
For more information about The Health Collaborative and the work they do, or to get involved, please visit them online at TheHealthCollab.com and follow them on Facebook.
Conflict of Interest Disclosure
To learn more about the writer's connection to The Health Collaborative, please see this Note on Disclosing Potential Conflicts.
