Camara Jones, President of APHA, has done extensive work on confronting institutionalized racism as a threat to health equity. This year Dr. Jones launched an APHA presidential initiative on racism and health to identify all areas in which racism exists and operates. It will also make recommendations on swift and practical steps to eliminate racism and advance health equity.

Sandro Galea, Dean of Boston University School of Public Health, works with students and researchers to understand the social determinants of health through a racial justice lens. Dean Galea is committed to creating a shift in the focus of public health from treating the downstream consequences of health inequities to addressing social drivers like poverty and racism that create these inequities.

Monica Bharel, Commissioner of the Department of Public Health, is known for her dedication to health care for poor and vulnerable populations. As Commissioner, eliminating economic and racial health disparities is a primary priority of her work.

Joseph Curtatone, Mayor of Somerville, has been widely recognized for taking a stand on racial inequities and institutional racism. As Mayor, he created a Multi-Cultural Affairs Commission in Somerville to give voice to under-represented communities. This year, he drew attention for placing a ‘Black Lives Matter’ banner at City Hall to show solidarity with the movement to end racist practices used by policemen.

Monica Valdes Lupi, Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission, is committed to strengthen the city’s partnerships with healthcare organizations and advancing health equity for all Bostonians. Over her career Ms. Valdes Lupi has worked to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities, managed the distribution of grants, aimed at improving the health of Boston’s most vulnerable residents.

Joseph Krupczynski , Director of the Office of Civic Engagement and Service Learning, and  Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture at UMASS Amherst, promotes reciprocal community partnerships, and crafts participatory art/design platforms through installations, activism and research, especially in collaboration with under-represented communities.

Dr. Alexis Travis, Chief of Community Health at Worcester Division of Public Health, works closely with community stakeholders to improve health outcomes and promote health equity. Dr. Travis is passionate about eliminating health inequities and conducts research in this area.

We have a robust agenda with 300+ participants from across the state. Please click on our Event Page to learn more!