Opening Remarks

Regan Johnson, Ohio SOPHE President

Megan Folkerth, HEI Conference Chair

Keynote: The Messenger is The Message: Why Good Communication is Essential to Public Health

Dr. Todd Wolynn, MD, Executive Director, Trusted Messenger Program

Chad Hermann, VP of Communication & Strategy, Trusted Messenger Program

Concurrent Session #1

A. Building Better Mental Health Through Leadership and Team-Based Support

B. From Faith and Art to Transportation: Innovative Approaches to Improved Health

C. Culturally Grounded Care: Tailored Health Messaging to Meet Your Audience

Concurrent Session #2

A. Scary Prevention Strategies: Implications for Health Educators

B. Exploring How Peer Leadership and Lived Experiences Shape Safer and More Responsive Programs

C. For Us/By US (Student Focused Session)

Dinner & Plenary I: "Don't Lose Your Jack": Education on the Dangers of Illicit Fentanyl 

Stephanie Quehl, Co-Founder & President, Jack Quehl Foundation

Breakfast

Exhibits and Posters Open                                                                                                                                                  

Plenary II: Communicating Now: Effectively Framing Core Public Health Work 

Julie Sweetland, PhD, Senior Advisor, FrameWorks Institute

Concurrent Session #3

A. Localizing National Narratives - Empowering Communities to Adapt Media Campaigns for Local Impact

B. Navigating Trauma and Change: Collaborative Pathways to Healing Grief and Addressing ACEs

C. Brain Battle - Student Smackdown (Student Focused Session)

Lunch & Networking

Concurrent Session #4

A. Principles of Data Visualizations for Effective Public Health Communications

B. Partnership in Action: Advancing Public Health Through Academic and Community Collaboration

C. Healthy Students, Successful Schools: Collaborative Strategies in School Health

Breakfast                                                                                                                                           

Plenary III: Public Health in the Ohio FY2026-2027 State Operating Budget

Sarah Hudacek, Coalition Manager, Advocates for Ohio's future

Amy Rohling McGee, President, Health Policy Institute of Ohio

Robin Blair-Ackison, Health Policy Analyst

Closing Panel

Local Public Health Commissioners