Hazel Behling

• University of Wisconsin – Madison – BA, Legal Studies and Political Science
• University of Wisconsin – Madison – Certificate, Gender and Women’s Studies, Environmental Studies, and Criminal Justice

Bio

Hazel Behling, BA (she/they) is a Health Equity Coordinator in the DFMCH Office of Community Health. Hazel is passionate about social justice and views their role through a systemic equity lens in hopes of centering underrepresented voices. Hazel attends community coalition meetings to hear directly from the community, works on the Rural Southwest Wisconsin Needs Assessment, and leads discussions with residents around community health and rural health equity. They hope to play a role in moving DFMCH and academic medical institutions toward co-creation and shared decision-making with historically underrepresented communities.

In addition to their role with DFMCH, Hazel is a co-founder of Cultivative Coalition, a group formed to amplify the voices of marginalized individuals in the Chippewa Valley and to create a more inclusive educational curriculum and overall environment.

Publications and Presentations

• Behling H, Bise A, Guerrero F, Norrbom C, Braun J. Connection, Divisiveness and Mental Health in Rural WI – Cultivating Health: Challenges and Opportunities in Rural Communities – Part 1. Presented at: The Annual Toward one Wisconsin Conference; May 7-8, 2024; Eau Claire Wisconsin.
• Hohl S, Behling H, Kiefer, S, Schlenker T. Addressing Social Determinants to Advance Health Equity in Rural Wisconsin:​ Identifying shared priorities of communities, family medicine physicians, and university groups. Presented poster at the Wisconsin Public Health Association Conference; May 21-23, 2024; Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.
• Behling H. Promoting and Actualizing Health Equity in Rural WI. Presented at: 3rd Annual Wisconsin Rural Health Promotion Conference; October 4, 2023.
• Behling H. Cultivating a Safe Community: Transparency, Accountability, Solidarity, Healing & Growth. Presented at 8th Annual Wisconsin Public Education Network Summer Summit; July 21, 2022; Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
• Behling H, Keyser C. Harassment, Bullying, and Hate in High School: How the Cultivative Coalition is Fighting Back in the Chippewa Valley. Presented at ACLU of Wisconsin Townhall; March 24, 2021.

Honors and Awards

University of Wisconsin – Madison Rainbow Leadership 2022