Join us for the 2026 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) Annual Event: The Power of Social Prescribing. This year, we’ll explore belonging, social connection, and the growing role of social prescribing in community health.
What is Social Prescribing?
Social prescribing is a simple, powerful way to address health needs that don’t start or end in the exam room. It connects patients to non-clinical supports in the community, such as social groups, physical activity, arts and culture, volunteering, nature, food access, or other local resources that strengthen connection and belonging.
Strong social ties are linked to better mental and physical health, improved chronic disease management, and reduced loneliness, an increasingly recognized risk factor for poor health outcomes.
Details
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 24
Time: 8 am - 10:30 am
Location: The Drake Center | Fort Collins
Cost: Event is free. Breakfast included.
Event Schedule
8am - 8:30 am: Check-in and Breakfast
8:30 am: Welcome Remarks - Tom Gonzales, Director, Larimer Co. Department of Health & Environment (LCDHE)
8:45 am: Year in Review by Jo Buckley, CHIP Coordinator, LCDHE
9:00 am: Social Prescribing Panel Discussion
- Mark Wallace, MD, MPH - Sunrise Community Health
- Laura Swink, PhD, OTR/L - Colorado State University
- Lauren SinClair, LPMHC - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
10:30 am: Event Concludes
About the Panelists
Dr. Wallace is a licensed Family Medicine physician and public health practitioner with over 30 years of experience providing clinical leadership across Colorado. He earned his medical degree from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California and a Master’s degree in public health from the Fielding School of Public Health at the University of California Los Angeles. Dr. Wallace’s experience includes serving as the Executive Director and Chief Health Officer of the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment for 26 years. He has also led multiple boards as President, including the North Colorado Medical Society and Weld County Medical Society. He also serves as Chief Executive Officer/ChiefMedical Officer for North Colorado Health Alliance, and Chief Clinical Officer for Sunrise Community Health. Dr. Wallace is an expert in addressing health-related social needs (HRSN), establishing coverage policies based on evidence-based practices, and has extensive knowledge and experience within the healthcare delivery system.
Dr. Laura Swink is an assistant professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at at Colorado State University. Her research focuses on improving daily life for older adults, specifically through fall risk management, dual-tasking training, and community-based interventions for Parkinson's disease. She focuses on proactive rehabilitation to promote physical activity, participation, and reduce fall risk. She also has partnered with various community-based organizations to maximize participation for adults and older adults with chronic conditions and neurodegenerative conditions. Dr. Swink completed an in-depth study that explored Social Prescription for Loneliness in Community-based Group Exercise Classes for People With Parkinson Disease.
Lauren serves as the Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator with the VA Suicide Prevention Team, where she leads cross-sector collaboration efforts to strengthen suicide prevention and wellness initiatives across Northern Colorado and surrounding rural communities. Her work focuses on building sustainable partnerships among healthcare providers, Veteran-serving organizations, state agencies, and community coalitions to improve access to care and reduce suicide risk among Service Members, Veterans, and their families.
Register
Complete our brief registration form to reserve your seat for the event.
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