Belonging Takes Center Stage at the 12th Annual Culture of Health Conference - December 2025 Newsletter
More than 250 leaders and partners in public health across New Jersey gathered on December 9 for the 12th Annual Culture of Health Conference, hosted by the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance. This year’s theme, “Belonging for a Better Us,” highlighted the importance of connection, trust, and shared purpose in creating healthier, more resilient communities.
The conference keynote was delivered by Dr. Gail Christopher, award-winning social change expert and executive director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity. Welcomed and introduced by Amber Randolph, Associate Vice President of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s New Jersey Department, Dr. Christopher explored the link between stress, belonging, and community conditions in shaping health outcomes. “It really behooves us to figure out how to maintain joy, and peace and calm and compassion so that we bring our bodies back into the state of metabolic balance so that health and healing is the natural state,” emphasized Dr. Christopher.
Conference sessions highlighted practical strategies for advancing the Seven Vital Conditions for Health and Well-Being, including safe and humane housing, meaningful employment, accessible transportation, lifelong learning, and a healthy natural environment. Leaders and practitioners shared examples of how New Jersey communities are collaborating to reduce health disparities, expand opportunity, and strengthen trust and belonging for all community members.
Diana Zita, chair of the NJ YMCA State Alliance Board and CEO of the Hamilton Area YMCA, welcomed attendees and opened the day’s discussions. She emphasized the YMCA’s role in fostering spaces where individuals feel valued and included, noting that true community strength comes from embracing diversity and building relationships. The day’s agenda was facilitated by Master of Ceremonies and CEO of the Ridgewood YMCA, Ramon Hache Sr., who encouraged attendees to reflect and transform insights into actionable ideas within their organizations and networks.
Julie Gallanty, CEO of the NJ YMCA State Alliance, reflected on the collective work underway. “We're honored to host a conference devoted to bringing diverse voices together to help create healthier, more connected communities for all New Jerseyans,” she said. “This work only moves forward when we work forward, together.”
The NJ YMCA State Alliance extends our heartfelt gratitude to the organizations and sponsors whose generous support made this year’s conference possible. We thank the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, New Jersey Food Security Initiative, PNC Bank, Advocates for Children of New Jersey, New Jersey Department of Health, New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute, and United Way of Northern New Jersey, for their partnership in strengthening our collective effort to build healthier, more equitable communities across New Jersey.
