ANHE has over 600 members in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C! Let’s join together to protect clean air, water, and soil for the health of our communities in the Mid Atlantic region. We host events, share information about what’s going on, and create opportunities for nurses to talk to their legislators and each other about all things environmental health.
Stop the Trump Admin’s Climate Chaos Plan!
Donald Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s Climate Chaos Plan will eliminate the Endangerment Finding, which requires the EPA to protect people from the pollution produced by burning fossil fuels that causes climate change and its impacts, such as extreme weather and health harms that threaten the lives of everyone, particularly the most vulnerable.
Donald Trump asked Big Polluters for $1 billion to fund his 2024 campaign. Now, he’s repaying them. They get richer, while we pay the price — unless we stop their Climate Chaos Plan.
Tell Lee Zeldin that we demand these lifesaving pollution protections are kept in place.
Tell Governor Youngkin (VA) and Governor Moore (MD): Lead on Climate Safety
It is more important than ever for states to act on climate change. States—and their governors—can be powerful leaders in building a clean energy economy. That’s why we’re asking Governor Youngkin (VA) and Governor Moore (MD) to step up to slash climate pollution, protect children’s health, and ensure clean air for all. Our future depends on it.
Meet Your Mid Atlantic Regional Forum Organizers
Lori A. Edwards, DrPH, RN, PCH-CNS,BC, FAAN (she/her) and Robyn Gilden, PhD, RN (she/her)
Dr. Lori Edwards is Associate Dean for the Master of Science in Nursing Program and Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Community Health at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. A dedicated educator and public health nurse, she mentors future healthcare leaders to advance health equity and address social determinants of health through community partnerships. She directs the UMB Interprofessional Program for Academic Community Engagement (IPACE). She also has a faculty appointment in the School of Medicine, MPH Program. Dr. Edwards also holds a faculty appointment at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences and Engineering. Her scholarship centers on health equity, community engagement, global health systems capacity building, occupational health with vulnerable populations using community based participatory research, and the advancement of public health nursing. She serves on the boards of 2 local Baltimore community organizations. Nationally, her service includes past president of ACHNE, and liaison for the Council of Public Health Nursing Organizations, to the Council on Linkages of the Public Health Foundation. Dr. Edwards holds DrPH and MPH degrees from Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing. She obtained her BSN from the University of Maryland School of Nursing.
Dr. Robyn Gilden is an Associate Professor of Community Public Health at the University of Maryland School of Nursing and is the Director of the Environmental Health Certificate. She is a member of the Steering Committee of the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments (ANHE), a Governor’s appointed member of the MD Commission on Climate Change, and a member of the Salisbury University College of Health and Human Services Advisory Board. She has general knowledge of environmental impacts on health, especially related to vulnerable populations like infants, children and unborn babies. Her research and advocacy focus on community exposures, pesticides, and the child care environment.
Highlights
Delaware River Valley Clinicians Qualitative PFAS Health Study
A DrPH student is inviting community-based primary care clinicians who work in the Delaware River Valley to participate in a study to assess how the ATSDR clinical information factsheet is used in real-world applications of PFAS clinical prevention and management for children.
Participation involves being interviewed once, for approximately one hour.
Your insights will contribute to our understanding of the evolving needs of community-based primary care clinicians working with PFAS, potential equity gaps, and policy challenges. Your participation is completely voluntary. There is no compensation for participation.
If you are interested in participating or have any questions about the study, please contact Emma Pennea at pennea.
VA NURSES ASSOCIATION FALL CONFERENCE
Join the Virginia Nurses Association and Foundation for a dynamic two-day summit in Portsmouth, Virginia focused on advancing the nursing profession through workforce sustainability, innovation, and professional growth. The 2025 Nurse Staffing Summit brings together nurse leaders, frontline staff, and educators across diverse nursing settings, from acute care to community health, academia, and beyond, to address today’s most urgent challenges and share practical, forward-thinking solutions for tomorrow. Through interactive sessions and collaborative networking, the Summit will explore strategies to a wide range of topics, including:
- Building and retaining resilient, mission-driven teams
- Driving innovation in care delivery, education, and leadership
- Supporting nurse engagement and lifelong learning
- Creating inclusive, adaptable, and future-ready work environments
Whether you’re a new graduate, an experienced nurse leader, or nursing academia, our 2025 Nurse Staffing Summit will provide you with valuable insights, tools, and connections to inspire action and advance the future of nursing. Learn more and Register here.
VPHA’s Annual Conference will be held on Thursday, September 25 and Friday, September 26. Our conference theme is “Public Health at a Crossroads: Protecting Progress & Building Resilience.”
Learn more and Register here.
Water, Climate Change, and Health in MARYLAND
Access to clean water for drinking, hygiene, and recreation is a fundamental human right, yet millions in the U.S., especially low-income and communities of color, lack this basic necessity. More than two million people in the U.S. do not have access to indoor plumbing or clean drinking water. The absence of clean water can result in a large number of health consequences. Insufficient water access can hinder children’s growth, while adults may experience chronic conditions such as hypertension and obesity. Exposure to contaminated water can lead to adverse short-term impacts, such as gastroenteritis, as well as long-term impacts, such as impaired immune systems, reproductive harm, and cancer. Moreover, climate change amplifies water insecurity, water pollution, and associated health effects. Increased droughts deplete water sources and reduce water quality, while large storm events and flooding overwhelm the stormwater and wastewater systems leading to water contamination.
The Chesapeake Bay Region is experiencing one of the largest increases in rainfall and storm intensity in the country, with a ~60% increase since the 1950’s, and expected further increase of 50% by 2050. These local and regional climate impacts disproportionately impact low-income communities and communities of color. Rising sea level is projected to reach 1.6 feet in the Chesapeake Bay, which poses a significant threat to both residential areas and businesses, impacting recreational activities. The size of storm events in the Chesapeake Bay is expected to increase 10 to 30% over the next 20 years, depending on the climate change scenario used.
Read more on the health impacts and vulnerabilities of contaminated water from the Maryland Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate here.
RESOURCE: DC Department of Health Environmental Health Administration
The mission of the Environmental Health Administration (EHA) is to protect the health of the residents of the District of Columbia, visitors and those that do business here, by targeting environmental factors through education, research and regulation. EHA will focus on how environmental factors impact human health and provide services to optimize positive public health outcomes. EHA contains three (3) Offices and eight (8) Divisions. Learn more here.
RESOURCE: MD Department of Health Environmental Health Bureau
The Environmental Health Bureau (EHB) is part of the Maryland Department of Health’s Prevention and Health Promotion Administration. EHB’s mission is to ensure all Marylanders have access to clean, safe, and healthy environments in their home, communities, and across Maryland. Learn more here.
RESOURCE: Virginia Department of Health Office of Environmental Health Services
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of Virginians. The VDH is made up of a statewide Central Office in Richmond and 35 local health districts. These entities work together to promote healthy lifestyle choices that can combat chronic disease, educate the public about emergency preparedness and threats to their health, and track disease outbreaks in Virginia. Learn more here.
RESOURCE: EarthJustice, DC Office
Earthjustice’s Washington, D.C., office works at the federal level to prevent air and water pollution, combat climate change, and protect natural areas. We also work with communities in the Mid-Atlantic region and elsewhere to address severe local environmental health problems, including exposures to dangerous air contaminants in toxic hot spots, sewage backups and overflows, chemical disasters, and contamination of drinking water. The D.C. office has been in operation since 1978. Learn more here.
RESOURCE: EarthJustice, DC Office
Earthjustice’s Washington, D.C., office works at the federal level to prevent air and water pollution, combat climate change, and protect natural areas. We also work with communities in the Mid-Atlantic region and elsewhere to address severe local environmental health problems, including exposures to dangerous air contaminants in toxic hot spots, sewage backups and overflows, chemical disasters, and contamination of drinking water. The D.C. office has been in operation since 1978. Learn more here.
April 28th – May 2nd, 2025 was Climate Week in Washington DC
DC Climate Week (DCCW) established Washington, DC, as the nation’s center of climate innovation by providing opportunities to engage with policymakers, fund climate solutions, and showcase cutting-edge technologies. Through curated workshops, panels, exhibitions, and networking events, we transformed our nation’s capital into a global model for climate action! Last spring, we launched with over 4,700 participants, 150 events, and 200 volunteers driving bold ideas across our nation’s capital. Now is your chance to help shape this growing movement. Learn more and help build Climate Week 2026 here.