‘No-Regrets’ Priorities

Advice for confronting uncertainty

by Annice Cody, President and CEO

With all due respect and apologies to Commanders fans, I was intrigued by Binyamin Applebaum’s contention that sports stadiums have become “monuments to the poverty of our civic ambitions.” He argues that glossy projects like stadiums are decoys for the real work of building communities. I believe PCC offers the opposite: An abundance of civic ambition to build a lasting infrastructure that supports our shared desire for a stronger, healthier community.

As the County Council’s budget decisions were wrapping up in May, and even as he warned of a tough budget year ahead, Councilmember Gabe Albornoz said something that has stuck with me: “There’s nothing wrong with Montgomery County that can’t be fixed by what’s right with Montgomery County.”

That’s the spirit PCC was founded on. When our founders looked for ways to serve uninsured neighbors, they didn’t start with what was missing. They started with what we already had—and asked how we could use it to help more people. It’s the PCC version of the "abundance mindset": a deep respect for the community we have, and an unfailing belief that it can be big enough, strong enough, and generous enough to serve us all.

But that doesn’t mean this work is easy.

When Leslie Graham stepped into this role in 2014, she was concerned about environmental uncertainty. As I step into this role today, uncertainty still exists. We’re navigating a time of deep political strife, uncertain healthcare funding, dramatic shifts in immigration policy, and a broader climate of retrenchment and protectionism. Naturally, I’ve asked myself: What does this mean for PCC and how should we respond?

When the world feels chaotic, I try to simplify my response: How can I help? And I often find guidance in the wisdom of the Jewish prophets in the Talmud: “Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.”
Pretty good advice, right? So, what can you expect from the Primary Care Coalition as we move forward?

As complexity increases, I focus on “no-regrets” priorities--initiatives that will serve us well no matter what the future holds. Let me highlight four of them:

Partnership

We know we’re stronger together. Whether it’s Nexus Montgomery—the joint venture of our county’s hospitals—or the collaboration among the County, safety net health centers, and PCC to deliver care through Montgomery Cares and Care for Kids, we’ve seen the power of shared purpose. We will continue to leverage knowledge, expertise, and funding across organizations to do more than any of us could do alone — and to seek new relationships to broaden our reach and impact.

Stewardship

We may not know exactly what lies ahead, but we can be fairly certain that funding for health and social services will tighten. That makes stewardship of resources more important than ever. To make the most of our resources, we will seek opportunities to improve performance, to share best practices, and to take advantage of economies of scale to be effective stewards of our community’s resources.

Integration

We know that social needs are the primary drivers of health outcomes, and they should be integrated into medical care. When we address those needs, we not only improve health—we also reduce healthcare spending and support workforce participation, which in turn further reduces social needs and frees up resources for broader community investments. PCC is committed to supporting this positive, self-reinforcing cycle.

Equity

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “When it’s better for everyone, it’s better for everyone.” COVID reminded us how interconnected we all are. When some in our community struggle, we all feel the impact. And when two-thirds of household wealth is held by just 10% of the population, we all suffer. Promoting health equity and equitable economic development isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s the smart thing too. 

PCC’s stated vision is a strong, vibrant community that supports all people in achieving healthy lives. These four focus areas will help us advance toward that vision. While my career has been rooted in healthcare, my personal commitment has been toward a broader goal of improving community well-being. My work at PCC dovetails nicely with my role as co-chair of Montgomery Moving Forward’s collective impact efforts and my support, as a member of its board, of Montgomery College’s transformational aspirations around access, completion, and post-completion success.

I’m energized by the opportunity to build on PCC’s strong foundation. My “happy place” is working alongside people who are motivated to build something meaningful for our community. I’m honored to be on this journey with you.