WSU to host Health Justice and Belonging Conference Feb. 5–6
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Join the Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine for the sixth annual Health Justice and Belonging Conference to hear from community leaders and experts dedicated to achieving optimal health for all.
The two-day virtual gathering on Feb. 5–6 will bring together clinicians, educators, learners, and community organizers across Washington state and beyond to discuss evidence-based and culturally relevant solutions to health care challenges.
“This conference provides a space for a unique slate of speakers and an intentionally broad audience to share information and work together to make things better,” said David Garcia, associate dean for community, health equity, and belonging at the WSU College of Medicine. “Our goal is for participants to leave with additional resources, relationships, and data to navigate systems and inform collective action.”
The theme of the 2025 conference is The Path Forward, building on last year’s theme of The New Normal.
“The Path Forward is focused on moving beyond the status quo toward liberation and joy,” Garcia said. “We need to reimagine and recalibrate our systems, policies, and procedures to allow for all people to achieve optimal health and well-being.”
Our goal is for participants to leave with additional resources, relationships, and data to navigate systems and inform collective action.
David Garcia, associate dean for community, health equity, and belonging
WSU College of Medicine
The conference is free and open to all thanks to the contributions of WSU College of Medicine supporters. Visit the Health Justice and Belonging Conference website to register and view more information about the conference schedule.
Featured speakers include Angela Jones, director of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Washington State Initiative; Vanessa Waldref, former U.S. attorney for Eastern District of Washington; Zeke Smith, president of Empire Health Foundation; Justin Bullock, a clinician researcher and co-director of the Docs with Disabilities Initiative; George Galvis, co-founder and executive director of Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice, and more.
The conference will also feature WSU College of Medicine faculty speaking on their efforts to promote health equity through education, research, and community care.
“We hope that students, staff, and faculty from across WSU will attend the conference, and we welcome attendees from communities and organizations across the state and beyond,” Garcia said, noting last year’s conference drew an international audience. “If you are interested in optimal health and well-being, including joy, this conference is for you.”
Washington health care professionals can fulfill state requirements for health equity continuing education training by attending, and physicians nationwide can earn continuing education credit. The WSU College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and designates this live activity for a maximum of 10 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
