Your Stories: Community Health and Well-Being Colleagues Advocate at the State Capitol
May 6, 2026Categories: Events
The Community Health and Well‑Being (CHWB) team at Trinity Health Of New England recently participated in the Connecticut Hospital Association’s 2nd annual Community Benefit Advocacy Day at the State Capitol in Hartford. The day offered an opportunity to connect with partners, engage legislators and advocate for the community‑focused work taking place across our region and throughout the state.
Trinity Health Of New England’s CHWB team participated in Community Benefit Advocacy Day.
Team members from Community Health and Well-Being and several of their initiatives were represented, including the Diabetes Prevention Program, the Together For Wellness Program and the Greater Hartford Family Advocacy Center. Those in attendance included Jacob Diogostine, Regional Coordinator, CHWB; Cheryl Hilton, Regional Manager, CHWB; Michelle Salgado, CHW, CHWB Diabetes Prevention Program; Gillian Walcott, CHW, CHWB Together For Wellness Program; Jaime Foster, Program Coordinator, CHWB Together For Wellness Program; and Sheila Coleman, Director, Greater Hartford Family Advocacy Center.
Throughout the day, the team had many thoughtful conversations with legislators and fellow advocates, sharing how Trinity Health Of New England partners with communities to address health needs beyond the clinical setting. The discussions highlighted the importance of prevention, education and trust‑based community partnerships and demonstrated the real impact of this work on individuals and families across Connecticut.
Attendees responded particularly well to the Together For Wellness program table activity, sharing that it was both educational and interactive. Many commented that it felt engaging and approachable, offering something new and hands‑on that sparked conversation and curiosity. The team also shared the region’s Community Impact Report, which drew strong interest. Attendees noted that the report clearly captured the scope of work accomplished over the past year and found it both informative and inspiring.
Overall, the day was filled with meaningful dialogue, great questions and strong interest in the work being done across Trinity Health Of New England. It was an energizing reminder of the value of community benefit efforts and the role they play in improving health, strengthening partnerships and advancing well‑being across the state.
Submitted by Jacob Diogostine, Regional Coordinator, CHWB, Trinity Health Of New England.
Have a story you want to share? Submit your story at TrinityHealthOfNE.org/YourStories.
Community Health and Well-Being team members shared information about their community driven work.
Representative Gibson joins Community Health and Well-Being colleagues for a photo.