Dr. Meena Brewster began in her role as the St. Mary’s County Health Officer in December 2012. Prior to her current role, she served as the Medical Director for the Health and Human Services Commission at the Indiana State Department of Health and as the Chronic Disease Director for the state. Her previous work experience also includes an appointment as Assistant Professor of Clinical Family Medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine, where she taught medical students, primary care residents, and sports medicine fellows while providing clinical care to patients of all ages and backgrounds. She is a primary care physician with clinical training in the specialties of Family Medicine and Sports Medicine. Dr. Brewster earned a Bachelor of Science in biology, a Master of Public Health, and a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Miami (FL). 

Bill Roberts is an applied cultural anthropologist and professor of anthropology at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, where he has taught since 1991. His work has focused on the intersection of culture, community, and public health, beginning with Peace Corps service in The Gambia and Zaire and continuing through applied research in sub-Saharan Africa. At St. Mary’s, he has developed community-based service-learning and international education programs, including long-standing partnerships in The Gambia. His research examines health, youth, community development, and the cultural dimensions of public health, with an emphasis on collaborative, community-engaged approaches. 

Dr. J. Scott Smith has served St. Mary’s County Public Schools for more than three decades, beginning as an English teacher at Leonardtown High School and progressing through school and district leadership roles. He has served as Superintendent of Schools since 2015, providing leadership focused on student success and community partnerships. Dr. Smith holds degrees from SUNY Buffalo, Towson University, and the University of Maryland, College Park, including a Doctorate in Education. His extensive experience in educational leadership provides a valuable perspective on the role of schools in supporting the health, well-being, and success of children and families.

Dr. Leah Millstein is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Maryland, where she has practiced and taught since 2008. Her work focuses on medical education, rural health, and health equity, including leadership of the Rural-MD Scholars Program and the Rural Health Equity and Access Longitudinal Elective (R-HEALE). She has received multiple teaching and educational grants and has published research on educational evaluation and interprofessional education. She has received multiple teaching and educational grants and has published research on educational evaluation and interprofessional education.

Temeria Wilcox is a U.S. Army veteran, Family Nurse Practitioner, and the founder of NP Family Practice, a community-based primary care practice serving Southern Maryland. She also serves as Co-Chair of the Chronic Disease Action Team for the Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership. Temeria is committed to improving access to preventive care and helping patients manage chronic conditions through education, personalized support, and innovative services such as Remote Patient Monitoring and Chronic Care Management. 

Lisa Connors, Ph.D., LCPC, NCC, MAC, is a Consultant for the ROPTA program, serving the southern Maryland counties of Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s. Dr. Connors works as a representative in developing community partnerships and linking those entities to resources, events, and training. She is also a Regrounding Our Response (RoR) Master Presenter on ACEs and Social Determinants of Health, and she serves on the Maryland HIV Planning Group and the Critical Issues in the Black Community Committee of NAADAC (the Association for Addiction Professionals). Dr. Connors is a Licensed Clinical Professional  Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and Master Addiction Counselor with over 30 years in the human services/social work/counseling/addiction fields. 

Jessica Hale is a Certified Park & Recreation Professional with over 25 years of experience administering programs and services that add value to communities through leisure and wellness opportunities. Jessica currently serves as the Deputy Director for St. Mary’s County Recreation & Parks and has been with the department for the past 15 years. In her role, Jessica provides direction for strategic marketing, customer service support, agency accreditation, and guides master planning processes.

Lauren Arney is the Local Health Improvement Coordinator for the Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership, a community health coalition affiliated with the St. Mary’s County Health Department. With a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Western Carolina University, Lauren began her career working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, where she developed a strong foundation in understanding diverse community needs. She furthered her expertise by earning a Master’s in Public Health from East Tennessee State University in 2024, specializing in community and behavioral health. In her current role, Lauren is committed to enhancing health outcomes and fostering well-being within her community through targeted initiatives and collaborative efforts.