Educational Sessions 2026

Educational Sessions

Check-in, Registration & Breakfast | 7:30 am CT

Welcome Remarks | 8:15 am CT

Opening General Session | 8:30 – 9:30 am CT

IMPAC

The Changing Landscape of Health Systems in Mississippi: Challenges, Innovations, and Real-World Impacts

The Changing Landscape of Health Systems in Mississippi: Challenges, Innovations, and Real-World Impacts

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Describe the current landscape of Mississippi’s health systems, including rural hospital vulnerability, primary care access gaps, and the drivers of ER overuse.
Identify key policy developments that will influence health access and outcomes over the next decade.
Recognize how long-term research initiatives inform evidence-based strategies to address Mississippi’s top health challenges.
Articulate opportunities for building a more prevention-focused, coordinated, and community-engaged health system across Mississippi.

Speakers

Misty Monroe
Office of Attorney General Lynn Fitch

Leah Rupp Smith
Mississippi Hospital Association

Mitchell Adcock
Center for Mississippi Health Policy

Larry Smith
Center for Mississippi Health Policy

Sam Miller
Center for Mississippi Health Policy

Samantha Brown-Parks
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Morning Concurrent Sessions | 10:00 am – 11:00 am CT

IMPAC

The Jackson Heart Study Exam 4: Study Design, Data Harmonization, and Participant Characteristics

The Jackson Heart Study Exam 4: Study Design, Data Harmonization, and Participant Characteristics

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Describe details of the JHS Exam 4.
List at least 3 components collected at JHS Exam 4.
List at least 2 demographic or clinical characteristics of the Exam 4 cohort.

Speakers

Christina J. Ezemenaka
University of Mississippi Medical Center

HALL A

Behavioral Health, Communication, and Workforce Solutions

Behavioral Health, Communication, and Workforce Solutions

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Describe behavioral health and communication strategies used to support prevention and engagement.
Examine innovative approaches and technologies for delivering health education and public health messaging.
Identify workforce development strategies that strengthen healthcare systems and prepare professionals for emerging health challenges.

Speakers

Tarlan Abazari
Mississippi State University
Human-centered virtual co-design to improve environmental health in learning spaces

Sherry Grote
The Harmony Hero Initiative
Restoring the Rhythm of Care: Building Resilient Health Workforces to Reduce Disparities

Joohee Lee
The University of Southern Mississippi
Bridging the Geriatric Workforce Gap: Preparing Social Work Students for Older Adults and Interprofessional Teams

Meagen Rosenthal
University of Mississippi
Patient Acceptability of AI Avatar-Delivered Health Education: A Feasibility Study

Leah Pylate
Mississippi State University
Ecological Categorization of Student Perceptions for Violence Prevention and Response in Higher Education

HALL B

From Pregnancy to Lifelong Risk: Social Determinants, Equity, and Representation in Women’s Health Research

From Pregnancy to Lifelong Risk: Social Determinants, Equity, and Representation in Women's Health Research

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Examine how social and structural determinants influence maternal and long-term health outcomes.
Understand the implications of underrepresentation in research for women’s health and scientific quality.
Identify strategies to strengthen outreach, recruitment, and community engagement in women’s health studies.
Translate evidence into actionable interventions that address inequities in maternal and population health.

Speakers

Kenneth Butler
University of Mississippi Medical Center

Stacee Naylor
University of Mississippi Medical Center

Surendra Sharma
University of Texas Medical Branch

HALL C

Climate Health: Disaster Risk & Resilience in Mississippi Communities

Climate Health: Disaster Risk & Resilience in Mississippi Communities

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

List at least three vulnerable populations in Mississippi based on their climate-related risk.
Analyze the climate, housing, and health risks described in the Climate Risk assessment survey tool.
Evaluate the mitigation and adaptive strategies proposed to build resilience.

Speakers

Gerri Cannon Smith (Lead Speaker)
MS Health Professionals for Climate and Health Equity

Melinda Todd
Jackson State University

Mireya Alexander
Magnolia Medical Foundation

Lunch Pickup | 11:00 am CT

Lunch General Session | 11:30 pm – 12:30 pm CT

IMPAC

Collaborative Models That Work: Advancing Access, Reducing ER Overuse, Strengthening Behavioral Health, and Driving Practice-Informed Research

Collaborative Models That Work: Advancing Access, Reducing ER Overuse, Strengthening Behavioral Health, and Driving Practice-Informed Research

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Identify effective collaborative or community-based care models that reduce avoidable ER utilization and examine the research gaps and evaluation needs that limit broader implementation or scalability.
Explain strategies that expand access to primary care, including partnerships, workforce development, telehealth, and shared-care models, while assessing where additional research, data, or pilot testing is required to strengthen evidence for statewide adoption.
Discuss mental and behavioral health challenges affecting diverse Mississippi populations and evaluate the current evidence base, highlighting opportunities to improve intervention effectiveness and reach.
Analyze ongoing statewide public health challenges, such as maternal health, mental health strain, and sexually transmitted infections, to identify priority areas where academic research can inform practice innovations or fill critical knowledge gaps.
Evaluate how cross-sector collaboration (health systems, public health, academia, and community partners) can strengthen care coordination and reduce disparities, and identify mechanisms for embedding applied research or rapid-cycle evaluation into these collaborative models.
Apply insights from panelists to guide program development, community engagement, and system-level improvements, while prioritizing opportunities for practice-based evidence generation, community-academic research projects, and capacity building within health systems and training programs.

Speakers

Janice Robinson
Southeast MS Rural Health Initiative

Angel Greer
Coastal Family Health Center

Heather Porter
Singing River Health System

Jeff Edge
Ochsner Health

John C. Higginbotham
University of Mississippi

Jennifer L. Lemacks
The University of Southern Mississippi

Afternoon Concurent Session | 12:45 pm – 1:45 pm CT

IMPAC

The Jackson Heart Study Coordinating Center: Building on a Legacy and Growing Together

The Jackson Heart Study Coordinating Center: Building on a Legacy and Growing Together

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Describe the organizational structure of the CC, including the purpose and leadership of each Core.
Explain the operational impact of the CC and improved efficiency in JHS through updated tracking and submission systems and a new JHS website.
Identify concrete pathways for connecting with the CC.

Speakers

Clemontina A. Davenport, PhD
Wake Forest University School of Medicine

HALL A

Maternal, Family, and Early Life Health

Maternal, Family, and Early Life Health (PechaKucha)

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Describe key maternal and early childhood health challenges affecting families in Mississippi.
Discuss interdisciplinary and community-based strategies that improve maternal, infant, and family health outcomes.
Identify workforce and systems approaches that strengthen maternal and early childhood care services.

Speakers

Sarah R. Myers
The University of Southern Mississippi
Early Intervention: Where Healthcare and Education Intersect

Toni Nettles Thompson
TNT Public Health Consulting, LLC
Reclaiming Infertility as a Public Health Priority: Implications for Culturally Responsive Care

Whitney Batteast
Pickles & Popsicles, Inc.
Advancing Postpartum Equity Through Community Care in the 4th Trimester Model

Asia Rush
Six Dimensions
Building the Maternal Health Workforce for Safe, Equitable and Quality Care

Kayla Abraham
University of Mississippi Medical Center
Maternal Health in Mississippi from an Occupational Therapy Perspective

Ravi Tejaswini Chunduri
Mississippi State Department of Health
Oral Health Disparities During Pregnancy in Mississippi: Dental Care Access and Barriers to Care (2020–2021)

HALL B

Healthy Aging in the Face of Chronic Disease: Community-Driven Solutions for Equity and Engagement

Healthy Aging in the Face of Chronic Disease: Community-Driven Solutions for Equity and Engagement

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Identify key challenges and disparities faced by aging individuals living with HIV, chronic pain, and diabetes.
Describe evidence-based lifestyle and community engagement strategies that support healthy aging in these populations.
Apply principles of culturally responsive care and interdisciplinary collaboration to their own practice or research.

Speakers

Raymond Jones (Lead Speaker)
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Taylor Taylor
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Kristen Allen-Watts
University of Alabama at Birmingham

HALL C

MS-INBRE Community Engagement and Training Core (CETC): Insights from ENGAGE and PROPOSE Awards Programs

MS-INBRE Community Engagement and Training Core (CETC): Insights from ENGAGE and PROPOSE Awards Programs

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

List requirements of the MS-INBRE CETC Community Organization Proposal Awards.
Describe steps in the development of academic and community partnerships.
Identify lessons learned from ENGAGE and PROPOSE awardees.

Speakers

Susan Mayfield-Johnson (Lead Speaker)
The University of Southern Mississippi

Nakeitra Burse
Six Dimensions

Michael Ann Oropeza
El Pueblo

Late Afternoon Concurent Session | 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm CT

IMPAC

Advancing Cardiovascular Health Through Sustainable Community Partnerships: The Role of the Community Engagement Center

Advancing Cardiovascular Health Through Sustainable Community Partnerships: The Role of the Community Engagement Center

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Identify three key functions of the Community Engagement Center in advancing cardiovascular health in community-based settings.
List at least two evidence-based strategies used by the CEC to build and sustain multi-sector community partnerships.
Select one CEC-informed community engagement approach to apply in their own practice setting.

Speakers

Border-ere “Excel” Fiemotonghan
G.A. Carmichael Family Health Center

HALL A

Community Partnerships and Structural Drivers of Health

Community Partnerships and Structural Drivers of Health

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Describe structural and environmental factors that influence health outcomes in Mississippi communities.
Identify community partnership and cross-sector collaboration strategies that support improved population health.
Examine policy, environmental, and programmatic approaches that address health challenges in rural and underserved populations.

Speakers

Brieah Hudson
Jackson State University
Advancing Health Equity in Chronic Kidney Disease: Changing the Narrative to Serve Mississippi’s Most Vulnerable Populations

Martha Ravola
Alcorn University
Predicting Childhood Obesity Risk: Integrating Socioeconomic and Environmental Determinants Using Machine Learning Approaches

Lashanda Brumfield
University of Southern Mississippi
Building Sustainable Communities Around Intergenerational Involvement in Rural Southwest Mississippi

Mary Atkinson Smith
Mississippi State University
Rural, Poorer Populations and Adverse Medicare Payment Adjustments

Jessica Chiadika
Mississippi State Department of Health
Unequal Health Burden in Mississippi

HALL B

Maternal Sepsis in Mississippi: Incidence, Mortality, and Strategies for Prevention

Maternal Sepsis in Mississippi: Incidence, Mortality, and Strategies for Prevention

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Identify specific causal and risk factors that lead to maternal sepsis in Mississippi.
Describe the case fatality rate for Mississippi’s maternal sepsis.
List long-term prevention strategies to eliminate risk factors for maternal sepsis and discuss short-term interventions to reduce sepsis-related maternal deaths.

Speakers

Manuela Staneva (Lead Speaker)
John D. Bower School of Population Health, UMMC

Thomas Dobbs
University of Mississippi Medical Center

HALL C

Cross-pollinating and Blooming Cross-sector Partnerships through Equitable Grantmaking: Learnings from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize

Cross-pollinating and Blooming Cross-sector Partnerships through Equitable Grantmaking: Learnings from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Connect the relationship between equitable grantmaking and developing cross-sector partnerships.
Examine how health equity and equitable community engagement enhance relationships and partnerships.
Recall how regranting and capacity building benefit communities.

Speakers

Victoria Broussard (Lead Speaker)
Health Resources in Action

Letetia Jackson
Tandeka LLC

Linda Fondren
Shape Up Mississippi

Gloria Dickerson
We2gether Creating Change

Closing Remarks, Poster Session, Networking & Reception | 3:00 pm CT

PT and PTA Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions on Engaging Patients About Social Determinants of Health

PT and PTA Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions on Engaging Patients About Social Determinants of Health

Presenter

Anne Reiher

University of Mississippi Medical Center

Children’s of Mississippi

A secondary analysis of Mississippi domestic violence trends from 2019 to September 2025 based on the Trace Atlas of Gun Violence Archives

A secondary analysis of Mississippi domestic violence trends from 2019 to September 2025 based on the Trace Atlas of Gun Violence Archives

Presenter

Bernice Akinwande

The University of Southern Mississippi

Improving Rural Health Outcomes Through Targeted Post-Discharge Communication

Improving Rural Health Outcomes Through Targeted Post-Discharge Communication

Presenter

Chrystel Casey

Baptist Memorial Hospital Calhoun

Colorectal cancer mortality in the Mississippi Delta: the intersecting impact of race and social vulnerability

Colorectal cancer mortality in the Mississippi Delta: the intersecting impact of race and social vulnerability

Presenter

Jacob Draper

University of Mississippi Medical Center

Turning the tide: medical provider training impacts in Mississippi’s Maternal Health Innovation project

Turning the tide: medical provider training impacts in Mississippi's Maternal Health Innovation project

Presenter

Jerri Gledhill

Burton Health Solutions & Bartkowski and Associates Research Team

Prior injury and clinical outcome in gunshot wound patients: a retrospective chart review study

Prior injury and clinical outcome in gunshot wound patients: a retrospective chart review study

Presenter

Okechukwu Erinne

University of Mississippi Medical Center

Disparities in Safe Firearm Storage Among Mississippi Households

Disparities in Safe Firearm Storage Among Mississippi Households

Presenter

Stephanie McLeod

Mississippi State Department of Health

Advancing community health outcomes: a MCHnet-HCCN initative

Advancing community health outcomes: a MCHnet-HCCN initative

Presenter

Tiffani L. Grant

MS Access Group Network-Health Center Controlled Network

Bearing the cross: exploring the intersectionality of faith, race, and infertility among black women in the South

Bearing the cross: exploring the intersectionality of faith, race, and infertility among black women in the South

Presenter

Toni Nettles Thompson

TNT Public Health Consulting

Enhancing lead poisioning prevention through improved reporting practices and data integration in Mississippi

Enhancing lead poisioning prevention through improved reporting practices and data integration in Mississippi

Presenter

Victoria Okonkwo

Mississippi State Department of Health

Conference Concludes | 4:30 pm CT

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