2025 MSHIELD Showcase Highlights Whole Health for All
Image
The 2025 MSHIELD Showcase was held on November 6, 2025, bringing together health leaders, community partners, and team members from across the Value Partnerships portfolio to address one of the most urgent challenges facing our communities: advancing whole health for everyone amid rapid changes in policy and care delivery.
After a brief welcome from Dr. Renu Tipirneni, MSHIELD Director, the event started with a keynote address by
Dr. Renee Canady. Dr. Canady, CEO of the Michigan Public Health Institute and author of “Room at the Table: A Leader’s Guide to Advancing Health Equity and Justice,” opened the event with powerful remarks. She challenged attendees to “speak up and be agents of whole health,” reminding everyone that “your body cannot be healthy unless the context in which it dwells is healthy.” Dr. Canady encouraged self-reflection by posing a critical question to the room: “Is there a behavior you need to stop engaging in so you can embody the principles of whole health?” Her words set the tone for the day, emphasizing that individual action and courageous conversations are essential to advancing health equity in a changing landscape.
A highlight of the showcase was the engaging panel discussion titled “Rooted in Community, Guided by Data: Ensuring Whole Health for All,” moderated by Selena Tran, Health Data Analyst at MSHIELD. The panel featured Megan Albertson (Director, Jackson Care Hub), Alissa Dandalides (Program Coordinator, HFH-Bariatric Surgery, Obesity Medicine & Weight Management), and Demetria Ingram-Hines (Community Health Worker, Southeast Michigan Health Association [SEMHA]).
Panelists discussed how organizations are evolving their practices to drive meaningful improvements in whole health. They emphasized the importance of addressing practical needs, such as providing resources like food and transportation to patients, especially in diverse communities. The conversation highlighted actionable steps to guide quality improvement while also elevating and including community voices at every stage.
Image
Throughout the discussion, the theme of adapting to uncertainty and seizing opportunities in policy was ever-present. Panelists shared real-world examples of modifying programs to address both emerging needs and systemic barriers, showing that whole health encompasses not only individual well-being but also collective environments.
The event provided ample opportunities for discussion among attendees, fostering a strong sense of community and engagement. This time allowed attendees to share challenges, explore opportunities to strengthen initiatives, and brainstorm ways to utilize social needs data to promote equitable care for all patients.
The 2025 MSHIELD Showcase emphasized the importance of collaboration, self-awareness, and data-driven action to promote whole health for all. Building on Dr. Canady’s call to “be agents” of change, attendees left inspired to create healthier environments for every individual, every community, and every future.
For more information on MSHIELD and future events, visit their website.
For access to MSHIELD resources and toolkits, please visit this form.