Commonground
Senior Moderator
Posted on March 26, 2026
The 23rd Annual Emergency Preparedness Summit kicked off on Tuesday afternoon, March 24. Several hundred Virginia Department of Health (VDH) staff members participated in these educational sessions, including health directors, emergency preparedness coordinators, business managers, epidemiologists, nurse managers and Medical Reserve Corp leaders.
The event began with opening remarks from Robert Mauskapf, MPA, Colonel, USMC (ret.), director of emergency preparedness with VDH, followed by the Presentation of Colours by the Henrico Police Honor Guard.
VDH’s State Health Commissioner, B. Cameron Webb, MD, JD, welcomed the group with an impactful motto that he learned during his childhood. “Stay ready, and you don’t have to get ready.”
He reflected on his fifth day on the job as health commissioner when emergency preparedness was center stage as severe winter weather blanketed the state. Other key messages he highlighted included strengthening fiscal, administrative and operational readiness through requesting, receiving and distributing resources. Dr. Webb stressed the importance of regional partnerships and said, “Collaboration is the heart of public health.” He also reminded the audience that “equity is at the core of our work,” and it is vital to sustain the public health workforce. He continued, “Investing in people is preparedness,” and “people are the power of our response.”
The session continued with the Medical Reserve Corps presenting their Engage, Partner, Innovated and Champion (E.P.I.C.) awards.
The keynote address was presented by senior staff members with the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). Lisa Peterson, MPH, senior director of preparedness and Jeff Ekoma, senior director for government affairs, shared their insights on advocacy taking place at the federal level.
One highlight of the Emergency Preparedness Summit is to present those in attendance with a crisis scenario. Participants divide into groups based on their individual regions and discuss the processes and challenges that would occur related to distribution of resources and communication.
Following the two-hour interactive discussion among the groups, the final 30 minutes of the day was dedicated to recapping the highlights and potential roadblocks that would need to be addressed during an actual crisis.
Day 2 will include a keynote address on artificial intelligence (AI) and public health and breakout sessions of different topics for the afternoon session.
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/blog/2026/03/26/23rd-annual-emergency-preparedness-summit-day-1/
23rd Annual Emergency Preparedness Summit – Day 2
Posted on March 26, 2026
The 23rd Annual Emergency Preparedness Summit kicked off its second day on Wednesday morning, March 25.
The day began with a keynote address from the Chief Information Officer Arman Latif focused on the key principles of artificial intelligence (AI) in public health. He shared the dynamics involved in agentic AI. It describes advanced artificial intelligence systems that exhibit autonomy, goal-driven behavior, and adaptability, allowing them to make decisions and take actions without human intervention. Latif talked about the importance of AI innovation balancing experimentation with responsible governance. The AI innovations shaping public health include social determinants, genomic analysis, health monitoring, healthcare ops optimization, and telehealth and monitoring.
The day’s program included opportunities for multiple breakout session, including:
A communication session focused on “Navigating Misinformation in an Age of Rapid Change.” During the hour-long presentation, Brookie Crawford, risk communications manager and Northern Region public information officer, shared the importance of establishing the agency as a trusted resource, amplifying messages and preventing information voids. Crawford also explained the differences between misinformation, malinformation and disinformation.
With various drinking water issues being experienced across the state, staff from the Office of Drinking Water and the Central Shenandoah Health District shared best practices for handling a water-related community issue. Jordan Good, local health emergency coordinator for the Central Shenandoah Health District talked about the various roles of local government agencies and departments during a crisis. He also mentioned the importance of demonstrating value when partnering and collaborating with those agencies.
The newest health director within VDH, Xavier Crockett, with the Central Shenandoah Health District focused on leading through uncertainty in public health. His presentation focused on four specific traits: resilience, integration, strategy and sustainability to build the leadership framework. As he referenced his favorite sport, boxing, Crockett said you can jump into the ring and hit hard and quick, but “surviving the fight does not mean you are ready for what is to come.” Crockett stated preparedness is not tested when systems are working, but preparedness is tested when systems are failing.
The afternoon agenda included discipline-specific breakout sessions for health directors, nurse managers, emergency coordinators, business managers, medical reserve corps, and epidemiologists.
The Virginia Epidemiology Seminar will wrap up the third day of the conference on March 26.
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/blog/2026/03/26/23rd-annual-emergency-preparedness-summit-day-2/
The 23rd Annual Emergency Preparedness Summit kicked off on Tuesday afternoon, March 24. Several hundred Virginia Department of Health (VDH) staff members participated in these educational sessions, including health directors, emergency preparedness coordinators, business managers, epidemiologists, nurse managers and Medical Reserve Corp leaders.
The event began with opening remarks from Robert Mauskapf, MPA, Colonel, USMC (ret.), director of emergency preparedness with VDH, followed by the Presentation of Colours by the Henrico Police Honor Guard.
VDH’s State Health Commissioner, B. Cameron Webb, MD, JD, welcomed the group with an impactful motto that he learned during his childhood. “Stay ready, and you don’t have to get ready.”
He reflected on his fifth day on the job as health commissioner when emergency preparedness was center stage as severe winter weather blanketed the state. Other key messages he highlighted included strengthening fiscal, administrative and operational readiness through requesting, receiving and distributing resources. Dr. Webb stressed the importance of regional partnerships and said, “Collaboration is the heart of public health.” He also reminded the audience that “equity is at the core of our work,” and it is vital to sustain the public health workforce. He continued, “Investing in people is preparedness,” and “people are the power of our response.”
The session continued with the Medical Reserve Corps presenting their Engage, Partner, Innovated and Champion (E.P.I.C.) awards.
The keynote address was presented by senior staff members with the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). Lisa Peterson, MPH, senior director of preparedness and Jeff Ekoma, senior director for government affairs, shared their insights on advocacy taking place at the federal level.
One highlight of the Emergency Preparedness Summit is to present those in attendance with a crisis scenario. Participants divide into groups based on their individual regions and discuss the processes and challenges that would occur related to distribution of resources and communication.
Following the two-hour interactive discussion among the groups, the final 30 minutes of the day was dedicated to recapping the highlights and potential roadblocks that would need to be addressed during an actual crisis.
Day 2 will include a keynote address on artificial intelligence (AI) and public health and breakout sessions of different topics for the afternoon session.
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/blog/2026/03/26/23rd-annual-emergency-preparedness-summit-day-1/
23rd Annual Emergency Preparedness Summit – Day 2
Posted on March 26, 2026
The 23rd Annual Emergency Preparedness Summit kicked off its second day on Wednesday morning, March 25.
The day began with a keynote address from the Chief Information Officer Arman Latif focused on the key principles of artificial intelligence (AI) in public health. He shared the dynamics involved in agentic AI. It describes advanced artificial intelligence systems that exhibit autonomy, goal-driven behavior, and adaptability, allowing them to make decisions and take actions without human intervention. Latif talked about the importance of AI innovation balancing experimentation with responsible governance. The AI innovations shaping public health include social determinants, genomic analysis, health monitoring, healthcare ops optimization, and telehealth and monitoring.
The day’s program included opportunities for multiple breakout session, including:
- Timely Measles Information
- Logistics, Developments, and Trends of Shelter Planning
- Change Management
- Best Practices for Workplace Safety
- Updates from the Office of Emergency Medical Services
- Communications: Navigating Misinformation in an Age of Rapid Change
- Health Equity with Special Populations in Emergencies
A communication session focused on “Navigating Misinformation in an Age of Rapid Change.” During the hour-long presentation, Brookie Crawford, risk communications manager and Northern Region public information officer, shared the importance of establishing the agency as a trusted resource, amplifying messages and preventing information voids. Crawford also explained the differences between misinformation, malinformation and disinformation.
With various drinking water issues being experienced across the state, staff from the Office of Drinking Water and the Central Shenandoah Health District shared best practices for handling a water-related community issue. Jordan Good, local health emergency coordinator for the Central Shenandoah Health District talked about the various roles of local government agencies and departments during a crisis. He also mentioned the importance of demonstrating value when partnering and collaborating with those agencies.
The newest health director within VDH, Xavier Crockett, with the Central Shenandoah Health District focused on leading through uncertainty in public health. His presentation focused on four specific traits: resilience, integration, strategy and sustainability to build the leadership framework. As he referenced his favorite sport, boxing, Crockett said you can jump into the ring and hit hard and quick, but “surviving the fight does not mean you are ready for what is to come.” Crockett stated preparedness is not tested when systems are working, but preparedness is tested when systems are failing.
The afternoon agenda included discipline-specific breakout sessions for health directors, nurse managers, emergency coordinators, business managers, medical reserve corps, and epidemiologists.
The Virginia Epidemiology Seminar will wrap up the third day of the conference on March 26.
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/blog/2026/03/26/23rd-annual-emergency-preparedness-summit-day-2/