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9:00 am - Welcome Message

• Dr. Christy Valentine Theard, Plan President - Healthy Blue Louisiana

• Dr. Darrell M. Gray, II, Chief Health Equity Officer – Anthem

• Shelina Davis, CEO - Louisiana Public Health Institute

• Dr. Courtney N. Phillips, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health

9:30 am - Opening Plenary

Introduction - Dr. Christy Valentine, Plan President - Healthy Blue Lousiana

Moderator - Dr. Cheryll Bowers-Stephens, Provider Performance Medical Director - Healthy Blue Louisiana

Keynote Speaker - Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, President and CEO - Morehouse School of Medicine

Valerie Montgomery Rice, MD, FACOG, provides a valuable combination of experience at the highest levels of patient care and medical research, as well as organizational management and public health policy. Marrying her transformational leadership acumen and strategic thinking to tackle challenging management issues, she has a track record of redesigning complex organizations’ infrastructures to reflect the needs of evolving strategic environments and position the organization for success through sustainability tactics. 

The sixth president of Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) and the first woman to lead the freestanding medical institution, Montgomery Rice serves as the president and chief executive officer. A renowned infertility specialist and researcher, she most recently served as the institution’s president and dean from 2014 to 2021. She began her tenure at Morehouse School of Medicine in 2011, serving as the dean and executive vice president. 

Dedicated to the creation and advancement of health equity, Montgomery Rice lends her vast experience and talents to programs that enhance pipeline opportunities for academically diverse learners, diversifies the physician and scientific workforce, and fosters equity in health care access and health outcomes.

10:40 am - 11:40 am - Panel Session Round 1 - Track 1

Improving Maternal Health Outcomes through Health Care Transformation in LA

• Frankie Robertson, The Amandla Group LLC

• Joaquina Reed, Consultant

• Jessica Latin, JL Counseling LLC

• Robert Blue, Healthy Blue – Moderator

• Michelle Ozah, LPHI – Moderator

• Nicole Deggins, Sista Midwife

10:40 am - 11:40 am - Panel Session Round 1 - Track 2

Prioritizing Access to Quality Healthcare for New & Expecting Mothers, Formerly & Currently Incarcerated

• Anjali Niyogi, Formerly Incarcerated Transitions

• Devin Bailey-Nicholas, Community Birth Companions

• Kylie Mayfield, National Birth Equity Collaborative

• Maryam Henderson-Uloho, Sister Hearts

• Dr. Marcus Wallace – Moderator

• Arien Ragster, LPHI – Moderator

10:40 am - 11:40 am - Panel Session Round 1 - Track 3

The COVID-19 Pandemic’s Impact on Service Delivery for New & Expecting Mothers, and Babies

• Kimberely Evans-Novod, Saul's Light-

• Danielle Bailey, Freedom Therapy Center

• Dr. Leonard Weather

• Kenyatta Royal, LPHI – Moderator

• Jennifer Campbell - Moderator

11:50 am - 12:50 pm - Panel Session Round 2 - Track 1

Vaccine Equity: Increasing Vaccination Rates in Louisiana’s Rural Communities

• Candice Battiste, NAACP Legal Defense Fund-

• Dr. David Holcombe, Office of Public Health

• Dustin Cravins, La Louisianne Consulting

• Jeny Rodrigue – Moderator

• Lindsey Rudov, LPHI – Moderator

• John "Jack" McClure, LDH Office of Public Health

• Dr. Takeisha Davis, LCMC

11:50 am - 12:50 pm - Panel Session Round 2 - Track 2

Addressing Systemic Barriers in Tobacco Prevention and Control

• Dr. Earl Benjamin-Robinson, LPHI – Moderator

• Dr. Siavash Sarlati – Moderator

• Feamula Bradley, LPHI

• Tonia Moore, MA, MSHCM

• Ryan Sugulleh, Communities of Color Network

11:50 am - 12:50 pm - Panel Session Round 2 - Track 3

The Impact of Storms/Weather on our Community and Post Disaster Recovery (Prioritizing Lafourche and Lake Charles Areas)

• Chrishelle Stipe, LPHI – Moderator

• Archie Chaisson, Lafourche Parish Council

• Julie Este-McDonald, Salt & Light Collaborative

• Natalie Jayroe, Second Harvest

• Mayor Nic Hunter - City of Lake Charles, LA (recorded video)

• Christopher Wallace - Moderator

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm - Panel Session Round 3 - Track 1

Closing the Digital Divide for Wellness: Addressing Inequities in Digital Infrastructure and Access in Rural Louisiana

• Dr. Angela Machen, City of Baker LA

• Van Le, LPHI – Moderator

• Dr. Siavash Sarlati – Moderator

• Bryan Wilson, Halloran Consulting Group

• Laura Arvin, Delta Interfaith

• Jimmy Jones, Rural Holdings LLC

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm - Panel Session Round 3 - Track 2

The Future Present is Telehealth: Emerging Practices to Meet the Immediate Need for Health Services via Telehealth

• Brad Wellons, LPHI – Moderator

• Destiney Kinsey, Revive You Therapy & Wellness

• Dr. Rochelle Head-Dunham, Metropolitan Human Services District

• Dr. Janzlean Laughinghouse

• Jamaka Batchelor, Healthy Blue - Moderator

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm - Panel Session Round 3 - Track 3

Breaking the Poverty Cycle to Achieve Economic Security and Better Health Post Disaster

• Tammy Brumfield, LPHI – Moderator

• Robert Blue, Healthy Blue – Moderator

• Davante Lewis, LA Budget Project

• Dr. Patricia Candler, Pre-K 12 & Beyond

• Abel Thompson, Together New Orleans

2:10 pm - Closing Plenary

• Introduction - Kathy F. Victorian, Medicaid Territory Marketing Manager - Healthy Blue LouisianaKeynote Speaker

• Terri Ricks, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Children & Family