Blue background with capitol building

Arlington, VA and Digitally | June 9-10 (with optional Hill Day June 11)

Mark your calendars for the 2026 Policy Action Institute!

All times are in the Eastern Time Zone.

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

9:00-9:30 a.m. Registration Open & Breakfast 
9:30-10:00 a.m.Meet your fellow Attendees 
10:00-10:05 a.m.

Welcome

10:05-10:10 a.m.Overview of Event 
10:10-10:15 a.m.

Moderator

  • Maggie L. Bartlett, PhD, Co-Creator and Co-Host, "Why Should I Trust You?" Podcast
10:15-11:00 a.m.The State of Public Health  
​
11:00-11:45 a.m.

What has this year wrought?

  • Don Hoppert, Director of Government Relations, American Public Health Association
11:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m.Making the Message Come Alive
  • Almeta E. Cooper, National Manager for Health Equity, Moms Clean Air Force
  • Robert Sanchez, Senior Social Interviewer, Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Montefiore Medical Center
12:00-12:45 p.m.

Lunch

12:45-2:00 p.m.

How to be an Effective Advocate: A Crash Course

  • Shelley Hearne, DrPH, MPH, Director, Lerner Center for Public Health Advocacy
2:00-2:30 p.m.Networking Break
2:30-4:00 p.m.

How to Sell Your Ask 

  • Tesfa Alexander, PhD, MA, Deputy Director, Lerner Center for Public Health Advocacy
4:00-4:45 p.m.

Working with Community

  • Denise Octavia Smith, CHW PN, MBA, Head of Workforce Innovation, Pear Suite
5:00-6:00 p.m.Reception

 

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

8:00-9:00 a.m.Registration Open & Breakfast 
9:00-9:05 a.m.

Welcome & Intro

9:05-9:45 a.m.

Understanding MAHA

9:45-10:45 a.m.

TBD

10:45-11:00 a.m.Short Break
11:00-11:15 a.m.

Making The Message Come Alive

11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.Organizing in the Community 
12:15-1:00 p.m.Lunch
1:00-2:00 p.m.

Looking Toward the Future

  • Athina Amanor, BS, 3rd Year Medical Student, Howard University College of Medicine
  • Emma Courtney, Co-Founder and President, Science for Good
2:00-3:00 p.m.

TBD

3:00-3:15 p.m.How to Talk to Congress: The Issues of the Moment 
  • Don Hoppert, Director of Government Relations, American Public Health Association
  • Jordan Wolfe, Manager, American Public Health Association
3:15-4:30 p.m.TBD
4:30 p.m.

Closing

Thursday, June 11, 2026

Optional Hill Day Visit

We will have two informational webinars. Details and Zoom links will be emailed after you register for the event and indicate your participation in the Hill Day.

Extend your impact beyond the event by participating in an optional Hill Day visit where you'll have the opportunity to meet directly with policymakers and their staff and advocate for public health priorities. APHA will provide a range of resources to help you make the most of your visit including advance training on how to schedule and prepare for a Hill visit and dedicated time on the second day of the Policy Action Institute. 

Please note that the exact timing of your Hill Day visit will be determined by the availability of your legislator or their staff, and APHA does not control the scheduling. Participants should plan their travel accordingly and expect a late afternoon departure on the final day.

Make your voice heard where it matters most—on Capitol Hill.