Over 600 ANHE Members in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. are working 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.
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
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.