CATALYST NEWSLETTER

Join us on October 17, 2025, at the Westin Richmond for the 2025 Catalyst Annual Summit. This marks our 15th Summit, where we will gather public health advocates, providers, policymakers, and leaders. This year's theme is Healthy Systems, Thriving Communities: Advancing Solutions for All. It highlights the significance of systemic collaboration in creating meaningful change for communities throughout the Commonwealth. The Summit will concentrate on effective solutions, sustainable policies, and partnerships that promote health equity.

Under his leadership, the Virginia Housing Alliance has expanded the Virginia Housing Trust Fund and launched forward-thinking initiatives like the 5000 Families Campaign and the Housing Leadership Institute. His recent op-ed in Cardinal News clarifies that the housing crisis is a public health crisis, and the solutions demand shared effort.



Brian’s insights will speak directly to our Summit’s goal that health equity requires systems to work together, especially housing and health. His vision is a powerful reminder that thriving communities depend on the strength of the systems that serve them.

Share Your Insight: Be a Breakout Speaker at the Summit

Are you leading a program, policy, or partnership that improves public health in Virginia? We're looking for speakers for this year's afternoon breakout sessions to share innovative, cross-sector solutions—ranging from expanding access to preventive care to strengthening public infrastructure.

Whether you work in oral health, drinking water equity, health care integration, advancing public health policy initiatives or anywhere in between—we welcome your insight. Join us at the Summit to spotlight what’s working and inspire collective action.

Sponsor the 2025 Catalyst Annual Summit

Help bring this vision to life. Sponsor this year's Summit and support a day of learning, collaboration, and action focused on sustainable health equity solutions. Being a sponsor highlights your organization's leadership and commitment to healthier communities across Virginia.

Interested in sponsoring the 2025 Catalyst Annual Summit? Contact us at communications@vahealthcatalyst.org to learn more.

IN THE NEWS

WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR VIRGINIA'S ORAL HEALTH?

A new Research Brief from the American Dental Association Health Policy Institute highlights the significant costs that states could incur if adult dental benefits under Medicaid are reduced or eliminated. In Virginia, the implications are clear and costly: the Commonwealth could face an increase of nearly $39 million in healthcare expenses in just one year. This increase would be driven by adults suffering from chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease, complications among pregnant individuals, and emergency care visits.

In Virginia, over 948,000 adults rely on Medicaid, with nearly 15% accessing dental care through the program. Eliminating this benefit not only jeopardizes health outcomes but also threatens economic stability. The ADA estimates that nearly 40,000 Virginians could encounter barriers to employment due to untreated dental issues if these benefits are cut.

This information is essential for understanding the fiscal and human impact of potential policy changes. As discussions with clinics and community partners progress, these data points help illustrate what is at stake and emphasize the importance of protecting adult dental benefits for health equity and economic vitality in Virginia.

INVESTING IN THE MEDICAID DENTAL WORKFORCE

A recent article from the Center for Health Care Strategies highlights essential strategies for strengthening the Medicaid oral health workforce. One strategy involves promoting the strategic alignment of oral health priorities among a diverse coalition of stakeholders to address workforce challenges. This closely aligns with Catalyst’s Future of Public Oral Health Taskforce's Workforce Group, which collaborates with stakeholders to ensure the oral health workforce in the state effectively meets the needs of all Virginians. To explore how other states are using workforce strategies to enhance access to critical oral health services and improve the health and well-being of Medicaid members, read the full article.

RESOURCE

EXPLORE DENTAL WORKFORCE GAPS ACROSS VIRGINIA

The updated Virginia Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) Dashboard from the Virginia State Office of Rural Health is a powerful tool designed to help identify and address dental care workforce shortages across the Commonwealth. This interactive Tableau dashboard is part of a broader effort to enhance data accessibility and equity-driven planning across health topics.

What This Tool Does:

• Visualizes federally designated Dental HPSAs by county or city
• Highlights underserved populations (low-income, medically indigent, or geographic shortages)
• Displays local indicators like fluoridation rates, child and senior poverty levels, and rural/urban classifications
• Allows users to zoom in on specific areas for tailored, localized insights

Key Data Highlights:

• Over 80% of Virginia localities are fully or partially designated as Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas.
• Nearly one in five localities with full HPSA designations also have fluoridation rates below 25%, increasing the risk for preventable oral disease.
• Many Southwest Virginia counties report child poverty rates over 20%, overlapping with high HPSA scores (17–20). This suggests that these communities have a greater need for healthcare providers and face increased barriers to access.

WELCOME TO THE TEAM

DAWN BAUMGARTNER - BOARD MEMBER

Dawn Baumgartner, BSN, RN, CPHRM, CHEC II, is a Senior Risk Manager at Bon Secours Mercy Health System. With over 20 years of nursing leadership experience in both acute care and outpatient settings, she currently oversees the Risk and Insurance Program for two hospitals in the area.

Dawn serves as a member of the Richmond, Virginia, BSMH Workplace Violence Taskforce, where she supports initiatives aimed at protecting healthcare workers. Additionally, she collaborates closely with the ethics consultation team to integrate organizational and patient values into decision-making processes, advancing patient safety and building trust in the healthcare system. Dawn earned her degree from the Jefferson College of Health Sciences in Roanoke and is set to complete her master's degree in health administration this summer. She and her husband reside in Moseley, Virginia.

CALEB MIZE - BOARD MEMBER

Caleb Mize, MBA is a Finance Manager at McKesson Medical-Surgical, supporting its Biomedical Solutions group. Caleb has nearly a decade of experience in the healthcare industry. Before joining McKesson, Caleb served as the OB/GYN Department Finance Manager at

VCU Health and Practice Administrator of HCA Virginia Gynecologic Oncology, where he focused on practice outreach and expanding patient access to care. More recently, Caleb has been committed to fundraising for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and has been honored by the Foundation as an outstanding professional in the Richmond community. Caleb holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Economics from Hampden-Sydney College and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Richmond, Robins School of Business, where he graduated with honors.

SOPHIE WEBB - SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER

Sophie Webb holds a Master of Public Administration and a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Virginia Commonwealth University, along with a bachelor's degree in political science. She has experience in higher education program management, social equity, and policy advocacy.

Sophie previously worked for the Office of Student Success at VCU's L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, where she managed educational and career development programs for undergraduate and graduate students. She also has experience serving as a legislative aide to state Senator Jennifer McClellan during Virginia's legislative session. Sophie is a strong advocate for accessible and equitable healthcare. She leverages her experience in program implementation and policy analysis to support the Clinical and Community Care team at Catalyst. Her goal is to establish strategic partnerships with safety net clinics in Virginia. 

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