Public Health Symposium

Increasing extreme weather events, air pollution, lead contamination and even clean water contribute to a widespread public health emergency, especially in communities which are disproportionately impacted. This session will not only explore our current challenges but also open a discussion on how we can achieve the necessary change.

Moderator

Kevin McNally
Chair of the Executive Board, New Jersey Public Health Association

Panelists

Melissa Miles
Executive Director, New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance

Tenisha Malcolm
Director of the Urban Mayor Policy Center, John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research at Kean University

Alex Rivera
Director, Kean EDA Center, John. S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research

Kim Gaddy

In order to implement many of the key public health initiatives around our state, we need to engage and prioritize meaningful community participation. This session will define the barriers to enabling the necessary paradigm shift and introduce best-practice models. Definitely a must-attend for community advocates!

Moderator

Dr. Nicole Vaughn
Associate Professor, Department of Health and Exercise Science, Virtua Health School of Nursing and Health Professions

Panelists

Victor Murray
Senior Director of Community Engagement and Capacity Building, Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers

Manuel Casteñada, MS, MJ
Director of Community Health, New Brunswick Tomorrow

Martha Chavis, MA
President/CEO, Community Health Worker Institute

Tracy Huggins

Inequitable access to physical and mental health resources contributes to outcome disparities and generational impact to the public health and well-being of communities. This session will explore the causes and impact of these disparities, as well as which policies and practices need to change as a result.

Moderator

Dr. Denalerie Johnson-Faniel, PhD, MPH-C, EdM, MA, BS, BA, HS-BCP
National Senior Director, Organizational Management, Equity and Inclusion – ACLU, The College of New Jersey – Public Health

Panelists

Raquel Mazon Jeffers
Co-Director, The Community Health Acceleration Partnership

Mary Coogan, Esq.
President & CEO, Advocates for Children of New Jersey

Nashon Hornsby
Assistant Commissioner, Department of Health

Lynne Algrant
VP for Planning, Development & Communications, Greater Bergen Community Action

Wealth inequality in New Jersey can be found at the root of several public health issues, particularly those which have demonstrated disparities. Join this powerful discussion to examine the history and impact of wealth inequality in our state and how public health stakeholders can support necessary change.

Dr. Laura Sullivan
Director of Economic Justice, New Jersey Institute for Social Justice

Dr. Saran Nurse

Rev. Eric Dobson

Brittany Holom-Trundy

Our state has some of the highest disparities in the country for birth and infant outcomes. Since healthy childbirth and the full range of reproductive health is critical to the health and well-being of individuals as well as broader public health, this will be a critical discussion for interested stakeholders.

Moderator

Brianna Hanson
Program Officer, New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute

Panelists

Dr. Nastassia K. Harris, DNP, RNC-MNN, IBCLC
Executive Director, Perinatal Health Equity Initiative

Tonique Williams
Full-Spectrum Community Doula

Ceclie Edwards
Senior Manager, New Jersey Birth Equity Funders Alliance

Jaye Wilson

New Jersey ranks 31st in the country for state funding per capita for public health. This session will address the required policies, investments, collaborations and infrastructure required to support a modernized and fully equitable public health system.

Moderator

Alexandra Staropoli, JD
Director of Advocacy and Communications, Fair Share Housing Center

Panelists

Dr. Sreelekha Parakesh, MD, MPH
Associate Professor, Stockton University

Dr. Giselle Pemberton

Dr. Meg Fisher

Linda Brown