About the author: Sarah Staron, MPA (she/her/hers), is a healthcare public administration specialist and project manager in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Her background includes statewide health equity policy, trauma informed programming, nonprofit operations, and cross-sector community collaboration. She previously led policy campaigns at Young Invincibles and supported violence prevention programs at the Center on Domestic Violence. Sarah holds a Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Gender Based Violence from CU Denver and brings expertise in project management, community engagement, and strategic communications. Outside of work, you can find her on her kayak, in the mountains, and always dressed up for the Renaissance Faire.

Community Is Not a Strategy—It’s the Work

“Without community, there is no liberation.” - Audre Lorde

As health researchers, it’s easy to talk about systems as if they are separate from us, as if inequities are problems “out there” waiting to be solved with the right program, policy, or intervention. But the systems we navigate every day are not neutral. They are built on histories, assumptions, and tradeoffs that often require harm in order to function. We are living in a meta-crisis, a unique time in human history where the impacts of extractive capitalism, white supremacy, patriarchal values, climate change, and the rise of fascism are omnipresent. 

As academics, we have a responsibility to move beyond seeking simple solutions and instead develop our capacity to sit with complexity, and practice forms of leadership that are grounded in relational accountability, humility, and ongoing learning. What I’ve learned from weavers, scholars, indigenous healers, and Black feminist liberation thought leaders is that true liberation must come from community. We must live our lives and conduct our work in partnership with one another. 

When communities are meaningfully involved in shaping programs, policies, and care, solutions become more responsive, culturally grounded, and sustainable. In my role at the Colorado Public Health Institute (COPHI), I work at the intersection of community engagement and health equity. Our work is grounded in a belief that health systems must actively partner with communities and center the lived experience of those most impacted to address the root causes of inequity.

COPHI brings together interdisciplinary professionals, faculty, and community members who are committed to advancing health through collaboration and equity-centered practice. Being involved with COPHI reflects my broader commitment to building bridges between academic institutions and the communities they serve. At its core, this work is not only about improving outcomes—it is about transforming how decisions are made, how resources are distributed, and how we understand responsibility within interconnected systems.

COPHI plays a critical role in advancing this vision by creating space for connection and collective action.  For those interested in getting involved, there are several ways to engage:
• Become a member to connect with a network of public health professionals and advocates
• Attend events, trainings, and forums focused on pressing health equity issues
• Participate in committees or working groups that align with your interests and expertise
• Support or partner on community-driven initiatives

Meaningful change happens when more of us show up.  

Join the COPHI Community

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