Get Healthy Utah hosted its 12th annual event this year at Millcreek Common. This year’s theme, “Momentum,” celebrated the continued efforts across Utah to keep health moving forward and build momentum toward healthier communities. Leaders from across sectors came together to learn how to continue advancing these efforts and build on the momentum already underway across Utah.
GET HEALTHY UTAH HIGHLIGHTS
Alysia Ducuara, executive director of Get Healthy Utah, highlighted the organization’s successes during the 2025–26 fiscal year. Get Healthy Utah developed three new toolkits to support Healthy Utah Communities: the Small Community Toolkit, How to Conduct a Healthy Food Access Assessment, and a Social Connection Toolkit. The organization also piloted two programs: Eat Like a Champion, which encouraged healthy snacks after youth sports, and the Price Healthy Food Walk Audit, which put the new Healthy Food Access Assessment into practice.
Two funding opportunities were also offered to Healthy Utah Communities: the Healthy Food Access Community Grant and the Social Connection Community Grant. Together, these opportunities provided funding to 19 communities to support health-focused projects across Utah.
To introduce this year's theme, “Momentum”, Alysia highlighted the importance of the continued efforts from every sector and the collective impact from working together.
KEYNOTE: SHAPING UTAH’S NEXT GENERATION OF HEALTHY COMMUNITIES
Jason Brown, Envision Utah, CEO
Jason Brown of Envision Utah spoke on “Momentum: Shaping Utah’s Next Generation of Healthy Communities.” He explored current health trends in Utah while leading with a sense of optimism, pointing to the positive changes already taking place across the state. His presentation emphasized the importance of recognizing this progress and continuing to build on the momentum already underway to shape healthier communities for the future.
MORNING BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Building Momentum Through Partnerships
Scott Barlow, One Utah Health Collaborative; Bre Yamauchi, Utah Community Builders; Shanda Stenger, Utah State Board of Education
In this session, leaders from business, education, and healthcare shared how their organizations contribute to healthier communities and how local leaders can successfully partner with them. Attendees gained practical strategies for building relationships, aligning goals, and creating lasting collaborations that advance community health, ultimately reinforcing the idea that healthy communities are built through strong partnerships across sectors.
Building Momentum Through Connection
Nathan Malan, DHHS; Tara Mckee, Every Kid Outdoors; Emma Andreasen, Get Healthy Utah
The second morning session highlighted practical strategies communities can use to strengthen belonging and connection across the lifespan. Presenters showcased Get Healthy Utah’s new Social Connection Toolkit, explored how access to nature supports mental health and social connectedness, and introduced a statewide campaign focused on helping parents and youth build stronger communication and relationships. Together, these strategies reinforced the idea that strong communities foster both mental well-being and meaningful social connection.
Walking Tour: Healthy Food Walk Audit (hosted both morning and afternoon)
Francis Lilly and Mike Winder, Millcreek City; Megan Larsen, Emma Andreasen, and Aimee Black, Get Healthy Utah Staff
Millcreek City leaders Mike Winder and Francis Lilly led participants on a healthy food access walking tour through Millcreek. Participants completed walk audit assessments along the route, while Winder and Lilly provided an overview of the city’s development and efforts to improve the health of the city, including healthy food access, walkability, and housing options. Attendees walked away with greater confidence and understanding of how to complete walking tours in their own community.
AFTERNOON BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Building Momentum for Wellbeing
David Blodgett, Southwest Health Department; Tycen Flygare; Physical Therapist; Shannon Wright, JustServe
This afternoon session explored the often-overlooked factors that support overall well-being, including time, sleep, and volunteering, and how they influence our ability to live healthier, more connected lives. Presenters shared research, innovative ideas, and practical strategies that communities and organizations can use to support active living, healthy eating, mental well-being, and overall quality of life. Together, these insights reinforced the idea that healthy lifestyles are shaped by more than just opportunities for physical activity and healthy eating.
Building Momentum for Active Living
Hugh Van Wagnenen, WFRC; Jaime Anderson, Southwest Health Department; Taylor Smith, Special Olympics Utah
The second afternoon breakout session highlighted practical strategies for supporting active living through transportation planning, adaptive recreation, and local partnerships. Presenters shared how tools, programs, and cross-sector collaboration can expand opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to be physically active in their communities. Together, these strategies reinforced the idea that creating communities where everyone can be active requires collaboration across sectors and intentional community design.
CLOSING KEYNOTE PANEL: LEADING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES: A CONVERSATION WITH UTAH MAYORS
Kate Bradshaw, Bountiful Mayor; Gay Lynn Bennion, Cottonwood Heights Mayor; Barbara Bruno, Springdale Mayor; Zach Stratton, Vineyard Mayor
At the close of the conference, Utah mayors shared how they’re building momentum through partnerships that improve quality of life. From engaging residents to collaborating across sectors, panelists discussed lessons learned, challenges they’ve overcome, and opportunities to create healthier, more connected communities throughout Utah. Together, they reiterated the shared belief that communities thrive when local leaders bring people together around a shared vision.
PARTNERSHIP AWARDS
AARP Utah & Utah’s Every Kid Outdoors Initiative
Get Healthy Utah awarded AARP Utah and Utah’s Every Kid Outdoors Initiative with the Get Healthy Utah Partnership Award for their outstanding work and contributions to making Utah a healthier place to live.
SPONSORS AND EXHIBITORS
This year, Get Healthy Utah introduced Corporate Sponsorships! Current corporate sponsors include Gold sponsor, Utah League of Cities and Towns; Silver sponsor Smith’s Food and Drug; and Bronze sponsors AARP Utah, DMBA, CommonSpirit, and University of Utah Health Plans. We are also grateful to all of our other sponsors and exhibitors who made this Annual Event possible! We appreciate those who spoke and tabled at our event, providing healthy snacks and great resources. We're proud to partner with organizations who share our mission of making Utah a healthier place to live.
To view the presentation slide decks, other resources, and more, click HERE