2023 Public Health Law Conference Sessions and Slides by Conference Track


Access to Reproductive Health Care

Advancing Understanding of Reproductive Health and Justice in a Post-Dobbs Legal Landscape

  • Adrienne Ghorashi, J.D., Lead Law and Policy Analyst, Center for Public Health Law Research, Temple University  
  • Prashasti Bhatnagar, J.D., M.P.H., Law/Public Health Post Doctoral Scholar, Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, The Ohio State University; and Faculty Affiliate, The Institute for Healing Justice & Equity, Saint Louis University

Leveraging Legal Epidemiology to Strengthen Maternal Mortality Research in State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Organizations

  • Lauren Tonti, J.D., M.P.H., Public Health Analyst, DRT Strategies, Inc
  • Julie Zaharatos, M.P.H., Public Health Advisor, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • Kathryn Thomas, J.D., Associate Research Scholar, Justice Collaboratory, Yale Law School and Center for Health and Justice, Yale School of Medicine

Reproductive Health Care, Litigation, Privacy and Public Health: Updates Post-Dobbs

  • Joanna Suder, J.D., Senior Staff Attorney, Reproductive Health, Network for Public Health Law
  • Stephen Murphy, J.D., Deputy Director, Mid-States Region, Network for Public Health Law

Patient-Centered Contraception Counseling and Access: The Role of Contraceptive Access Initiatives

  • Kate Beatty, Ph.D., M.P.H., Professor, Department of Health Services Management and Policy, and Director, Master of Public Health Program, East Tennessee State University College of Public Health
  • Michael Smith, D.P.H., M.S.P.H., Associate Professor, Health Services Management and Policy, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University
  • Kristen Surles, Dr.P.H, M.P.H., Health Management and Policy, East Tennessee State University

The Future of Reproductive Justice Lawyering

  • Melissa Torres-Montoya, J.D., M.P.H., Senior Manager, Lawyer Engagement, If/When/How
  • Jeryl Hayes, J.D., LL.M., Senior Movement Building Director, If/When/How
  • Limayli Huget, J.D., Helpline Counsel, If/When/How

Building an Equitable Reproductive Health Future After Dobbs

  • Sonia Canzater, J.D., Associate Director, Infectious Diseases Initiative & Project Lead, Reproductive Rights Initiative Initiative O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law
  • Desireé Luckey, J.D., Policy Analyst, Reproductive Health Initiative for Telehealth Equity and Solutions; Owner, Above-Board Food
  • Madeline Morcelle, J.D., M.P.H., Senior Attorney, National Health Law Program (NHeLP) — Washington, D.C.

Protecting & Expanding Abortion Access in a Post-Dobbs Landscape

  • Abena Abraham, Campaign Director, UnRestrict Minnesota
  • Jess Braverman, J.D., Legal Director, Gender Justice
  • Karmann Peters Manager, Community Partnerships, Whole Woman’s Health Alliance (WWHA)

Addressing Structural Inequities

Navigating the Distribution and Dispensing of Medical Countermeasures to Sovereign Tribal Nations

  • Heather Erb, J.D., Principal, Heather Erb, PLLC
  • Jillian Doss-Walker, Dr.P.H., M.P.H., Deputy Branch Chief, Immunization Division, Accelerated Disease Control Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Medicaid: A Tool to Address Structural Inequities that Impact Health

  • Sara Somers, J.D., M.P.H., Legal Director, National Health Law Program
  • Erika Hanson, J.D., Clinical Instructor, Health Law and Policy Clinic, Harvard Law School

Using Civil Rights Law to Advance Health Justice for People Who Use Drugs

  • Sarah Bleiberg Bellos, J.D., Independence Fellow, Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project
  • Kate Boulton, J.D., M.P.H., Senior Legal Technical Advisor, Vital Strategies Overdose Prevention Program
  • Sally Friedman, J.D., Senior Vice President of Legal Advocacy, Legal Action Center

Creating Confluence Among Equity Initiatives to Transform the Health of Communities in Washington State

  • Michael Ellsworth, J.D., M.P.A., Federal Relations Director, Washington State Department of Health
  • Elizabeth Perez, M.P.H., Chief of Public Affairs and Equity, Washington State Department of Health
  • Kristin Peterson, J.D., Chief of Policy, Washington Department of Health

Learnings on Embedding Equity into Law & Policy Work

  • Tonya Cureton Curry, J.D., Senior Staff Attorney, Public Health Law Center
  • Joelle Lester, J.D., Executive Director, Public Health Law Center
  • Julie Ralson Aoki, J.D., Director, Healthy Eating & Active Living Programs, Public Health Law Center

Ending the Commercial Tobacco Epidemic: A Proven Approach to Reduce Health Disparities

  • Stacey Gagosian, Vice President, Public Policy, Truth Initiative
  • Mark Meaney, J.D., M.A., Director, Commercial Tobacco Control Law and Policy, Public Health Law Center
  • Chris Bostic, J.D., M.S., Policy Director, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH)

Pressing and Emerging Issues

Developing Advocacy Capacity to Advance Innovative Public Health Policies

  • Darlene Huang Briggs, J.D., M.P.H., Deputy Director, Act for Public Health, Network for Public Health Law
  • Leslie Zellers, J.D., Consultant – Fighting for Public Health Initiative
  • Ann Phi-Wendt, M.B.A., Managing Director, Network for Public Health Law

Challenging Pennsylvania’s Firearm Preemption Law as a Public Health Danger: Litigation Lessons from Philadelphia

  • Benjamin Geffen, J.D., Senior Attorney, Public Interest Law Center
  • Sami Jarrah, M.P.H., Vice Dean, Finance and Administration and Executive Director for Public Partnerships, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University
  • Megan Todd, Ph.D., Chief Epidemiologist, Philadelphia Department of Public

Racial Equity Impact Assessment (REIA) Laws: Trends, Lessons Learned, and Future Directions

  • Sara Rogers, M.P.H., C.P.H., Public Health Policy Analyst, Health Equity, Network for Public Health Law
  • Faith Jackson, J.D., Racial Equity Coordinator, First Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer, City of Bloomington, Minnesota
  • Julie Ralston Aoki, J.D., Public Health Law Center
  • Daina Strub Kabitz, M.P.H, J.D. Candidate, Public Health Law Center, Mitchell Hamline School of Law
  • Dawn Hunter, J.D., M.P.H., Director, Health Equity, Network for Public Health Law

The Why and How of Legal Epidemiology: A Practical Guide to Applying Legal Epidemiology in Research and Practice

  • Scott Burris, J.D., Professor of Law and Director of the Center for Public Health Law Research, Temple Law School; Professor, School of Public Health, Temple University
  • Lindsay K. Cloud, J.D., Deputy Director, Center for Public Health Law Research, Temple University
  • Katie Moran-McCabe, J.D., Lead Law and Policy Analyst, Center for Public Health Law Research, Beasley School of Law, Temple University

Working with Communities to Build a Robust, Equitable and Resilient Public Health System: Lessons from the Field

  • Angela McGowan, J.D., M.P.H., Senior Director, Alliance for Disease Prevention and Response, American Public Health Association (APHA)
  • McKenzie Cowlbeck, Consultant, Oklahoma Public Health Association
  • Lawrence Haynes, Program Manager, Racial Equity, American Public Health Association (APHA)

Advocacy-driven Legal and Policy Changes to Reduce Harm and Improve the Health of People who Use Drugs

  • Corey Davis, J.D., Director, Harm Reduction Legal Project, Network for Public Health Law
  • Carol Newark, Ph.D., Executive Director, Harm Reduction Project
  • Haven Wheelock, M.P.H., IUD Health Services Program Coordinator, Outside In
  • AJ Yolken, M.P.H., Director or Strategy Project Weber/RENEW, Project Weber/RENEW

Legal Strategies to Reduce Reliance on Fossil Fuels, Improve Air Quality, and Respiratory Health

  • Jill Kruger, J.D., Director, Climate and Health, Network for Public Health Law
  • Jamie Long, J.D., Senior Staff Attorney, Public Health Law Center
  • Jean C. Bikomeye, M.P.H., Ph.D. Candidate, Public and Community Health Program, Medical College of Wisconsin

The Role of Law in Facilitating System Change

Public Health Attorneys: Key Leaders in Building and Maintaining Successful Health Departments

  • Mellissa Sager, J.D., Assistant County Attorney for Health, Adams County, Colorado
  • Geoffrey Mwaungulu Jr, J.D., M.P.H., Director, National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)
  • Abigail Ferrell J.D., M.P.A., Public Health Analyst, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Act for Public Health: Legislation and Litigation Impacting Public Health Authority – Opportunities and Challenges

  • Darlene Huang Briggs, J.D., M.P.H., Deputy Director, Act for Public Health, Network for Public Health Law
  • Wendy E. Parmet, J.D., George J. and Kathleen Waters Matthews Distinguished Professor of Law and Professor of Public Policy and Urban Affairs, Northeastern University
  • Sara Bartel, J.D., Senior Attorney, ChangeLab Solutions
  • Elizabeth Platt, Director of Research and Operations, Center for Public Health Law and Research

Developing an Equity-minded Public Health Workforce

  • Nessia Berner Wong, M.P.H., Senior Policy Analyst, ChangeLab Solutions
  • Cesar De La Vega, J.D., Senior Policy Analyst, ChangeLab Solutions
  • Alexis Etow, J.D., Managing Director, ChangeLab Solutions

An Interactive Conversation About the Role of Legal counsel in Emergency Response, Enforcement, and Health Equity

  • Colleen Healy-Boufides, J.D., Co-Director, Mid-States Region, Network for Public Health Law
  • Geoffrey Mwaungulu Jr, J.D., M.P.H., Director, National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)
  • Marie-Claire Brown, Senior Counsel, Health emergency Preparedness & Response Administration
  • Pamela Smith, Deputy Director, Office of Public Health Legal Affairs, Nassau County Department of Health

Building Successful Partnerships Between State Health Departments and Attorney General Offices: The Minnesota Example

  • Caroline Palmer, J.D., Director, Safe Harbor, Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
  • Dana Farley, Drug Overdose Prevention Unit Supervisor, Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
  • Carman Leone, J.D., Assistant Attorney General, Minnesota Department of Health

Viewing Wisconsin’s Alcohol Environment through a Public Health Lens

  • Felice Borisy-Rudin, J.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Policy Analyst, Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Project at the Comprehensive Injury Center, Medical College of Wisconsin
  • Sara Kohlbeck, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health; Director, Division of Suicide Prevention, Comprehensive Injury Center, Medical College of Wisconsin
  • Constance Kostelac, Ph.D., M.S. Assistant Professor, Institute for Health & Equity, Division of Epidemiology & Social Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin

Good Governance to Advance Health Equity: Preemption and Equitable Enforcement

  • Sabrina Adler, J.D., Vice President, ChangeLab Solutions
  • Maya Hazarika Watts, J.D., Managing Director, ChangeLab Solutions
  • Gregory Miao, J.D., Senior Attorney, ChangeLab Solutions

The Use of Public Health Data to Improve Community Health

Legal Tools to Advance Health Equity through Data Disaggregation

  • Stephen Murphy, J.D., Deputy Director, Mid-States Region, Network for Public Health Law
  • Carrie Waggoner, J.D., Director, Mid-States Region, Network for Public Health Law
  • Daniel Barth Jones, Principal Privacy Expert, Network for Public Health Law, Privacy Hub by Datavant

Leveraging Cross-Sector Data in The Opioid Crisis Response

  • Aaron D. Peterson, Director, Public Health Informatics, Hennepin County Public Health
  • Nathan Imihy Bean, M.P.P., Senior Informatics Planning Analyst, Hennepin County Public Health
  • Peter Bodurtha, M.P.P., Senior Data Scientist, Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute (HHRI)

Barriers and Opportunities for Tribal Access to Public Health Data to Advance Health Equity

  • Carrie Field, M.P.H., Policy Analyst, National Indian Health Board (NIHB)
  • A.C. Locklear, J.D., Federal Relations Director, National Indian Health Board (NIHB).
  • Sarah Price, M.P.H. Public Health Policy and Programs Manager, National Indian Health Board (NIHB).

Trends in General Privacy Legislation, Data Federalism, and AI Regulation Affecting Public Health Data Access and Use

  • Charles Curran, J.D., Consultant, Charles D. Curran Consulting
  • Cason Schmit, J.D., Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University

Creating Strong Legal Frameworks for Cross-Sector Data Integration

  • Richard Gold, J.D., Consultant
  • Paul Hogle, J.D., Associate General Counsel and Chief Records Officer, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS)
  • Deja Kemp, J.D., Research Faculty, Director of Legal Policy, Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy

Risks and Rewards of Demographic Data Collection: How Effective Data Privacy Can Promote Health Equity

  • Charly Shane Gilfoil, J.D., Staff Attorney, National Health Law Program (NHeLP)
  • Naomi Goldberg, J.D., Deputy Director, Movement Advancement Project (MAP)
  • Silvia Yee, J.D., Senior Staff Attorney, Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF)

Strategies and Lessons for Protecting HIV Patient Data, Ensuring Data Privacy, and Assessing HIV Criminalization Laws and Policies at the State and Local Level

  • Heather Anderson-Fintak, J.D., General Counsel, Southern Nevada Health District
  • Iyanrick John, J.D., M.P.H., Vice President of External Affairs, ChangeLab Solutions
  • Amy Killelea, J.D., Principal, Killelea Consulting

Using Data Hashing to De-identify Cross-Sector Data for Chicago’s Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement (CARE) Program

  • Jason Lerner, J.D., Senior Director, 911 Portfolio, University of Chicago Health Lab
  • Golnar Teimouri, M.S.S., Manager, Criminal Justice Research, Arnold Ventures
  • Michael Thompson, M.P.P., Epidemiologist, Chicago Department of Public Health