The New Year invites reflection, resolve, and most importantly, purposeful action. It is a moment to take stock of where we have been, acknowledge what has tested us, and set our direction for what comes next.
I’m reminded of a recent conversation with Professor Lawrence Gostin, whom we welcomed to ColoradoSPH to speak about the intersection of human rights and public health. He was candid and, at times, somber about the current landscape, and deeply concerned about what lies ahead. As we closed our time together, I read a quote from one of his lectures before the World Health Organization:
“We need to ask ourselves, ‘What can I do for my family, my neighbors, my community, and my world?’ A world built on equity, justice, and solidarity—based on shared democratic values—is a future worth fighting for. We must reject selfishness, indecency, and dishonesty, and embrace mutual obligations, compassion, and love for one another.”
He smiled and shared that this message had received the most positive feedback of any session at the conference. That reaction stayed with me. Even in difficult times, people are not asking our field’s leaders to be louder; they are asking us to build stronger coalitions and deliver on the promise of public health.
Meeting the Moment
In 2025, public health and ColoradoSPH faced real and consequential challenges. Trusted institutions were decimated. Proven science was, and continues to be, called into question. The pace and scope of change felt relentless. Yet, something else happened alongside these pressures: the need for public health grew. Communities looked for compassion, clarity, and evidence, and ColoradoSPH answered.
We, too, experienced loss this year. These losses were scientifically and societally significant. But rather than retreat, we rallied. Demand for our expertise increased across the Rocky Mountain region and around the world, affirming what we know to be true: when uncertainty rises, public health matters even more.
A low point of the year came with the passage of House Bill 1, which eliminated several programs critical to public health. SNAP-ED, a program supporting families receiving food assistance, was abruptly cut, resulting in layoffs and leaving families already under financial stress with fewer supports. Within weeks, we received a generous gift from the Anschutz Foundation to develop and deploy mental health programs that will reach many of those same families, parents, and children navigating uncertainty with fewer safety nets. Our school and our allies responded with new ways to offer support.
Evidence of Impact
Our annual report highlights an exceptionally strong year. It documents growth in research and philanthropy, sustained student engagement, and measurable improvements in the communities we serve. The data tells a compelling story of impact and reach.
And yet, numbers alone do not capture how 2025 felt. Despite our success, many of us may not feel victorious. This year was disorienting, and even progress can be exhausting when it unfolds against a backdrop of chaos and uncertainty.
One of the greatest leadership challenges I faced in 2025 was learning to distinguish between distraction and true threat. Noise came from every direction. Not every disruption deserved a response, but some demanded focus and steely resolve. I am still not certain which events were merely distractions and which posed lasting risks. What became clear, however, was that quick, constant reactivity may weaken us.
So, we chose a different path: to invest in what strengthens ColoradoSPH, sharpens our leadership, and prepares us to lead decisively in the coming year. In doing so, we will continue to be the most effective antidote to the forces that threaten well-being—vaccine misinformation, environmental degradation, reduced access to care, to name just a few.
As diversity, equity, and inclusion programs were dismantled nationwide, we made a deliberate choice to focus on strengthening communities rather than engaging in symbolic battles. We invested in our Rural Health Initiative and the ColoradoSPH Initiative for Education, Leadership, and Opportunity to support communities at-risk or under threat. We supported paid internships for students working in communities with urgent needs. We raised scholarship funds to expand opportunities for everyone. The result was not to retreat, but to increase our impact across all the communities we serve.
Because of these choices, we enter 2026 prepared. This is ColoradoSPH at its best.
Resolute in 2026
As we enter 2026, the pressures facing public health have not disappeared. But I also sense something new: growing frustration with misinformation and a renewed recognition that weakening public health institutions carries real consequences.
With that in mind, ColoradoSPH’s resolutions for the year ahead challenge us to be even better.
1. Deliver Leading Public Health Education
We will ask ourselves:
2. Engage Allies and Build Partnerships
We will push further by asking:
3. Communicate with Purpose
We will commit to:
What You Can Do
We have shown that we can look past distraction and focus on what really matters. Responding positively to challenges and excelling is a must. Here is how each of you plays a vital role:
Looking Ahead with Possibility
Each year, I make personal resolutions. In 2025, mine were simple: live healthier, exercise more, be part of a group, spend time with friends, and improve where I could. Those commitments sustained me and prepared me for the year ahead.
I know 2026 will bring new challenges. But I am equally certain that we will stay focused on what makes ColoradoSPH exceptional.
As we welcome the New Year, thank you for being part of this community. I invite you to embrace one of our core values, the spirit of possibility, as we reimagine and rebuild public health together. The future of public health will not be shaped by noise or distraction, but by people who choose purpose, evidence, and compassion as we continue creating a world where people thrive. Public health elevated.