Trailblazers Itinerary
Tailored for mid- to senior-level professionals and
practitioners leading health equity initiatives
April 11, 2026
9:00 - 10:00 EST: Welcome & Keynote
10:00 - 11:00 EST: Unpacking the “Isms”: Health Equity at Every Intersection
11:00 - 11:10 EST: Break
11:10 - 12:10 EST: Frontlines of Health Equity: Confronting Today’s Critical Issues
12:10 - 12:45 EST: From Awareness to Action: Building Pathways to Health Equity
12:45 - 1:00 EST: Awards & Closing Remarks
*Itinerary is subject to change. Please check this page for the most up to date information.
Emerging Leaders Itinerary
Designed for undergraduate, graduate, and
early-career professionals passionate about health equity
April 12, 2026
9:00 - 10:00 EST: Welcome & Keynote
10:00 - 11:00 EST: Community Health Needs Poster Presentation Competition
11:00 - 11:10 EST: Break
11:10 - 12:10 EST: Community Health Improvement Project Presentation Competition
12:10 - 12:45 EST: UAID Alumni “Ask Me Anything” Panel
12:45 - 1:00 EST: Awards & Closing Remarks
Featured Keynote Speaker:
Philip M. Alberti, Ph.D
Association of American Medical Colleges
AAMC Center for Health Justice
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As Founding Director of the AAMC Center for Health Justice and Senior Director, Health Equity Research & Policy at the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), Philip sparks, supports, and contributes to community-driven, multi-sector efforts that build evidence for programs, policies, practices, and partnerships that eliminate unfair and unjust group differences in health.
He is a population health scientist whose singular professional commitment to health equity research and action spans 25 years. He is widely published, a frequent public speaker, and has served on advisory boards and expert panels for numerous organizations and federal agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. He is also the current Past-President of the Interdisciplinary Association for Population Health Science. In 2021, Philip founded the AAMC Center for Health Justice as the natural next step in a career focused on building evidence in support of the structural changes needed to ensure all communities have a genuine opportunity to thrive.
Prior to joining AAMC in 2012, Dr. Alberti led research, evaluation, and planning efforts for a Bureau within the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene that worked to promote community health and health equity across NYC neighborhoods. He holds a Ph.D. degree in Sociomedical Sciences from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health and was a Fellow in the National Institute of Mental Health’s Psychiatric Epidemiology Training program.
Featured Panelist:
Adimika Meadows Arthur, CEO & Executive DirectorHealthTech 4 Medicaid (HT4M)-
Adimika Meadows Arthur is a visionary and strategic executive with over two decades of experience in healthcare. Her expertise in health equity, investments, and disruptive technologies offers valuable insights to companies navigating a rapidly evolving market. An experienced clinical epidemiologist and former hospital/health system executive, Adimika excels at helping others better understand health, well-being, and healthcare through storytelling, connection, and culture. She currently serves as the founding Executive Director and CEO of HealthTech for Medicaid (HT4M), a national nonprofit focused on driving innovation in Medicaid—the nation’s largest insurer—and improving quality, equity, and access to care for vulnerable populations. HT4M, a mission-based market enabler, sits at the intersection of where health and technology equity meet by facilitating cross-sectoral, collaborative partnerships in health technology nationwide.
Featured Panelist:
Dr. Sung-Jae Lee, Professor-in-ResidenceDepartment of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA-
Sung-Jae Lee is a Professor-in-Residence in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) at UCLA, with a joint appointment in the Department of Epidemiology at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. He co-leads the Health Equity and Translational Social Science (HETSS) Research Theme at DGSOM. As Vice Chair for Faculty Development and Deputy Director of the Implementation Science and Practice Hub (ISPH) in his department, he is passionate about helping faculty grow, connect, and translate research into meaningful, community-driven impact.
Dr. Lee’s work centers on advancing health equity among communities disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS and related syndemic conditions. He directs the Methods Core at the Center for HIV Identification, Prevention, and Treatment Services (CHIPTS) and leads the Fogarty-funded Cutting edge, Customized, and Comprehensive (CCC) HIV Training Program in Vietnam and Thailand, preparing the next generation of faculty and researchers to address regional and global health challenges. He also serves as Co-Investigator for the NIAID-funded Rapid, Rigorous, and Relevant (3R) Implementation Science Hub and as UCLA Site Principal Investigator for the UC Global Health Institute’s GloCal Fellowship Program, mentoring emerging global health leaders dedicated to creating sustainable change.
Featured Panelist:Dr. Joia Crear, President National Birth Equity Collaborative -
As the founder & Director of the National Birth Equity Collaborative, Dr. Joia Crear-Perry, M.D., FACOG identifies & challenges racism as a root cause of health inequities. She is a highly sought-after trainer & speaker who has been featured in national & international publications, including Essence & Ms. magazine. In 2020, Dr. Crear-Perry was honored by USA Today in its “Women of the Century” series & featured on ABC Nightline’s “Hear Her Voice.” Dr. Crear-Perry has twice addressed the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to elevate the cause of gender diversity & urge a human rights framework toward addressing maternal mortality. Previously, she served as the executive director of the Birthing Project, director of women’s & children’s services at Jefferson Community Healthcare Center, & as the director of clinical services for the City of New Orleans Health Department. Dr. Crear-Perry currently serves as a principal at Health Equity Cypher & on the Board of Trustees for Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Community Catalyst & Taproot Earth. She is an adjunct professor at Tulane School of Public Health. After completing undergraduate studies at Princeton University & Xavier University, Dr. Crear-Perry received her MD from Louisiana State University & completed her residency in obstetrics & gynecology at Tulane University’s School of Medicine. She is married to Dr. Andre Perry & has three children (Jade, Carlos, & Robeson) & one grandson (Quinn). Her love is her family; health equity is her passion; maternal & child health are her callings.
Featured Panelist: Ummesalma Palanpurwala, Founder Humans Behind Motherhood-
Ummesalma Palanpurwala, MPH, is the founder and director of the Maternal Health Policy Institute, a policy research initiative addressing structural barriers to maternal healthcare access through legal and regulatory analysis. She holds a Master of Public Health in Policy and Management from New York University, where her research analyzed structural failures contributing to eclampsia mortality in Bangladesh and developed policy recommendations for community-based perinatal care delivery. Previously, as a Healthcare Policy Associate at FedLogic, Ummesalma supported over 100 mothers navigating Medicaid and ACA coverage, interpreting complex federal and state regulations to address coverage gaps affecting vulnerable maternal populations. Her work has also spanned corporate ESG compliance research on dependent care benefits at JUST Capital, population health program leadership at Saifee Burhani Medical Association America, and community-based health equity initiatives including leadership of a postpartum depression awareness campaign for South Asian communities through Project Rise. Fluent in English, Arabic, Urdu, Gujarati, and Hindi, Ummesalma brings a multilingual, transnational perspective to maternal health policy. She is a USAID-certified Family Planning Programming professional and is currently authoring research on medical-legal partnerships for the Journal of Feminist Scholarship.
Late-Breaker Abstracts are currently open for submission until 2/28/26!"
FEATURED 2026 CONFERENCE EVENTS
Unpacking the “Isms”: Health Equity at Every Intersection
A dynamic series of rapid-fire panels exploring how racism, sexism, ageism, classism, and ableism shape health outcomes. Each speaker delivers a 5-minute insight from their lens, followed by an open “Ask Me Anything” dialogue that invites candid conversation and collective problem-solving.
Community Health Needs Assessment Poster Presentation
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Join us for the Community Health Needs Assessment Poster Presentation Competition, a pivotal event dedicated to identifying the most pressing health challenges within our communities in the United States.
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Participants will showcase their comprehensive health needs assessments through visually engaging and informative posters.
UAID chapters are encouraged to submit the results of step 2 of their Community Project.
Non-UAID conference participants are welcome to submit their own original research on any community health needs assessment in the United States. -
A distinguished panel of judges comprising of experienced public health practitioners and academic leaders will evaluate each poster based on clarity, research rigor, relevance, and potential impact. Winners will receive recognition and awards for their outstanding contributions.
Frontlines of Health Equity: Confronting Today’s Critical Issues
Engaging, forward-looking sessions examining how emerging forces — from AI innovation to shifts in federal funding and policy language — are reshaping the fight for health equity. Thought leaders share concise insights, followed by open discussion on navigating these evolving challenges.
Community Health Improvement Project Presentation
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Join us for the Community Health Improvement Project Presentation Competition, a dynamic and inspiring event dedicated to showcasing innovative projects that advance health equity within local communities in the United States.
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Participants will present their community health improvement projects through engaging PowerPoint slides. These presentations will highlight project objectives, methodologies, outcomes, and the impact on community health.
UAID chapters are encouraged to submit presentations on the process and cumulative impact of their completed Community Projects.
Non-UAID conference participants are welcome to submit their own original work related to tangibly improving health equity in local communities in the United States. -
A distinguished panel of judges comprising of experienced public health practitioners and academic leaders will evaluate each presentation based on innovation, effectiveness, scalability, community impact, and sustainability. Winners will receive recognition and awards for their outstanding contributions.
From Awareness to Action: Building Pathways to Health Equity
Interactive workshops equipping participants with skills to translate passion into progress. Through focused sessions on advocacy, research, and community empowerment, attendees learn tangible ways to create meaningful, lasting impact in advancing health equity.
Health Equity Abstract Submission
Students, professionals, and community leaders are invited to submit abstracts showcasing innovative projects, research, and initiatives advancing health equity. Selected presenters will share their work through oral or poster sessions, fostering dialogue, collaboration, and action toward more equitable health systems. These presentations will foster dialogue, collaboration, and action toward more equitable health systems. Late-Breaker Abstracts are currently open for submission until 2/28/26!
Student Registration*:
Early deadline, 1/3/26: $45
Regular deadline, 3/1/26: $60
Late deadline, 4/10/26: $75
Professional Registration:
Early deadline, 1/3/26: $75
Regular deadline, 3/1/26: $100
Late deadline, 4/10/26: $125
All conference registrants are welcome to attend both days!
The conference is free for UAID Advanced and Leaders Tier members! Click here to learn more.
*To qualify for the student registration rate, attendees must be currently enrolled full-time in an accredited undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree program at the time of registration and through the conference dates. Part-time students, recent graduates, residents, or fellows are not eligible and should register under the professional category.
Want to see videos of winning presentations from previous conferences?
