The HEALTH Research Institute (HRI) held its inaugural conference, HEALTH: A Call to Action, on Friday, January 31 with a pre-conference workshop and reception the evening of Thursday, January 30. During the pre-conference, HRI Director Dr. Ezemenari Obasi led an engaging workshop that focused on how to train community leaders to advance health equity. The attendees participated in a collaborative activity working in small groups to identify challenges and barriers to facilitating academic-community partnerships aimed at advancing health equity initiatives, potential solutions, and needed resources. The evening ended with music, refreshments, and jovial networking.
On Friday, attendees of the HEALTH: A Call to Action conference enjoyed keynote addresses given by Dr. Andrea Caracostis, CEO of HOPE Clinic, and Dr. Salil Deshpande, Chief Medical Officer of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Texas. Several breakout sessions with a wide variety of topics in health equity and community health initiatives were presented as well as informative student posters; with vendors representing several local health agencies, programs, and other businesses also present. The conference wrapped up with two-panel sessions, one focused on local community health organizations and one with representatives from Houston-area health coalitions. We hope that conference attendees left feeling empowered and renewed in their efforts to bring health equity to our communities and beyond! To see pictures from the event, visit the HRI Twitter or Facebook.
