Blue background with capitol building

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

The Policy Action Institute convenes public health professionals to learn how to navigate funding cuts, find common ground among MAHA, and interpret the implications of the midterm elections. 

Register

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.

Moderators

  • Brinda Adhikari, Co-Creator and Co-Host, "Why Should I Trust You?" Podcast
  • Maggie L. Bartlett, PhD, Co-Creator and Co-Host, "Why Should I Trust You?" Podcast
  • Tom Johnson, 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
  • 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

  • Jacqueline Capriotti, Founder, Victory Garden Alliance Foundation; CEO, Health Revolution USA
9:45-10:45 a.m.

Finding Common Ground

Moderator: Brinda Adhikari, Co-Creator and Co-Host, "Why Should I Trust You?" Podcast

Panelists:

  • Jacqueline Capriotti, Founder, Victory Garden Alliance Foundation; CEO, Health Revolution USA
  • Avenel Joseph, PhD, Vice President for Policy, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
  • Jennifer Messenger, BA, SEVP, Public Health Lead, Metropolitan Group 
10:45-11:00 a.m.Short Break
11:00-11:15 a.m.

Making The Message Come Alive

  • Almeta E. Cooper, National Manager for Health Equity, Moms Clean Air Force
11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.Organizing in the Community 

Moderator: Maggie L. Bartlett, PhD, Co-Creator and Co-Host, "Why Should I Trust You?" Podcast

Panelists: 
  • Lacey Connelly, Organizing Team Coordinator, Defend Public Health
  • Derek Schmitz, A.A.S., Lead Advocate, Derek Schmitz: Advocacy 
12:15-1:00 p.m.Lunch
1:00-2:00 p.m.

Looking Toward the Future

Moderator: Maggie L. Bartlett, PhD, Co-Creator and Co-Host, "Why Should I Trust You?" Podcast

Panelists:

  • Athina Amanor, BS, 3rd Year Medical Student, Howard University College of Medicine
  • Emma Courtney, Co-Founder and President, Science for Good
  • Lara Hicks, Impact Specialist, Protect Democracy
2:00-2:15 p.m.

Making the Message Come Alive 

  • Alexa R. Romberg, PhD, Former Deputy Branch Chief, NIDA, NIH
2:15-3:15 p.m.Counting More Than Votes: What the Midterms Really Mean for the Public’s Health 
  • Mark Mioduski, Co-founder, Cornerstone Government Affairs
3:15-3:30 p.m.Closing and Break
3:30-4:30 p.m.How to Talk to Congress: The Issues of the Moment (for those participating in Hill Day)
  • Don Hoppert, Director of Government Relations, American Public Health Association
  • Susan Polan, PhD, Associate Executive Director, Public Affairs and Advocacy, American Public Health Association 
  • Jordan Wolfe, Manager, American Public Health Association

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.