Plenary Sessions

2023 Plenary Sessions

The Future of Public Health: Elevating Successful Local and State Health Department Partnerships  
Tuesday, July 11 at 8:30 AM 

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for state and local health departments to work together is more urgent than ever before. This keynote session will highlight successful state and local relationships in an effort to share these effective partnerships and to find ways to scale them across the country.

Admiral Rachel L. Levine, Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) 
Dr. Claude A. Jacob, Public Health Director, San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, Texas  
Dr. Stephen Stack, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health 
Sara Jo Best, Public Health Director, Lincoln Trail District Health Director, Kentucky 
Chelsie Huntley, Community Health Division Director, Minnesota Department of Health 
Sarah Reese, Administrator, Polk-Norman-Mahnomen Community Health Board/Director, Polk County Public Health, Minnesota 

Putting Your Mask on First: Taking Care of Our Workforce Wellbeing
Wednesday, July 12 at 8:30 AM 

Recent surveys by the CDC and the deBeaumont Foundation found that around half of public health workers reported adverse mental health symptoms related to depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This keynote session will explore the impact COVID-19 has had on the public health workforce mental wellbeing and discuss strategies for coping, recovering, and building strength within the workforce as we move forward.  Invited speakers will share how their experiences and insights regarding wellbeing and resilience are informing their work. 


• Dr. Faisal Khan, Director of Public Health, Seattle and King County, Washington
• Dr. Gregory Branch, Health Officer and Director, Baltimore County Department of Health
• Tyler Norris, MDiv, Former Chief Executive Officer, Well Being Trust