11th Annual Diversity, Inclusion, & Health Equity Symposium
June 20 - 22, 2023
Center for Healthcare Innovation, 625 W. Adams Street, Chicago, IL 60661
June 20: 8:00 - 4:00 PM CST (In-Person)
June 21: 11:00 - 4:00 PM CST (Virtual)
June 22: 11:00 - 12:00PM CST (Virtual)
About the symposium
The 11th Annual Diversity, Inclusion, & Health Equity Symposium is one of the country’s leading and longest-running events focusing specifically on health equity, health disparities, and critical diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues impacting healthcare in the U.S. The 3-day hybrid symposium features both live and virtual panel discussions, keynote addresses, a career fair, and networking opportunities. The symposium brings together leading healthcare executives, physicians, researchers, patient groups, academics, authors, clinical trial professionals, and DEI advocates in a collaborative forum to discuss health equity. The symposium focuses on the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the marketplace and workplace. Key opinion leaders and symposium participants will discuss new ideas and perspectives on (1) diversifying clinical trials to include underrepresented groups, (2) developing a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace, and (3) reducing systemic health disparities that disproportionately affect marginalized communities of color. The symposium also features a career fair that connects participants with many of the country’s leading healthcare organizations specifically focusing on hiring underrepresented talent. This 3-day event also aims to address the broader health disparities that disproportionately impact marginalized communities in the U.S. Participants will learn the latest insights and industry-tested solutions, share new ideas and perspectives, and meet new industry and marketplace colleagues.
About the Virtual Diversity Career Fair
The Diversity Career Fair connects underrepresented professionals, including people of color, women, the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, and the differently-abled, with some of the country’s leading healthcare organizations. The career fair provides diverse job seekers an opportunity to learn about DEI-focused healthcare organizations, submit résumés, interview, and meet with company representatives.
Why Attend?
JOIN the world’s #1 symposium focusing specifically on health equity and diversity
UNDERSTAND obstacles to clinical trials and how to make the clinical trial ecosystem more diverse and inclusive for all patients
ACQUIRE knowledge on how to reduce health disparities by building culturally competent organizations best suited to provide care for diverse patient populations
FOCUS on building inclusive organizational cultures that attracts the best and brightest people, resulting in a diverse and innovative workforce
DISCUSS how to strategically reduce health disparities to create a more equitable U.S. healthcare system
CREATE a workplace that embraces and promotes an inclusive environment by leveraging the latest D&I trends and ideas
LEARN to leverage a more diverse marketplace and a more inclusive workforce to create bottom-line growth opportunities
NETWORK and share ideas with many of the country’s leading health sector professionals who are passionate about health equity and diversity
RECOGNIZE the impact of systemic racism and structural inequities in healthcare and in the workplace
DISTINGUISHED ADDRESSES
Dr. Ebbin Dotson, PhD, MHSA
Assistant Professor, Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health
Ebbin Dotson, PhD, MHSA is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Management and Policy (HMP), the Faculty Director for the UM Summer Enrichment Program (UMSEP), and the Director for the Health Equity Leadership Pipeline Collaborative (The Collaborative) at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Dr. Dotson’s research topics include organizational theory and behavior, health equity, leadership competencies, health professions pipelines, workforce diversity, predictive assessment, health literacy, and community health. In HMP, Dr. Dotson teaches courses in organizational behavior, leadership, and health equity management. He is the student case competition faculty director and is the faculty liaison to the HMP Alumni Board. Within SPH, Dr. Dotson supports recruitment and retention pipeline program initiatives, and advises the student organization Public Health Student of African Descent (PHSAD). On campus, Dr. Dotson enjoys his work with the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, The Edward Ginsberg Center, the Center for Interprofessional Education, and the Men of Color Faculty Writing Group. Before joining UM SPH, Dr. Dotson served as the Assistant Dean of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and an Assistant Professor in Community Health Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health. Dr. Dotson received his PhD in Health Services and Policy Analysis from the University of California at Berkeley School of Public Health. He earned a Masters of Health Services Administration degree and a Bachelors of Science degree in Organizational Studies from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He was also an administrative fellow at Michigan Medicine. Dr. Dotson serves on the University of Michigan SPH Health Management and Policy Program Alumni board, and several of his community service efforts are focused on mentoring youth, especially young men.
Mr. Julius Pryor III
Strategic Thinker - Innovation, Global Health Equity, DEI
Julius Pryor helps companies accelerate innovation and drive business results. Having created and led groundbreaking strategies at six global corporations, Julius practically created the role of the modern Strategic Diversity Officer. He is currently Head of Diversity and Global Health Equity at Biotech innovator, BeiGene. He’s held executive roles at Johnson & Johnson, Roche, Coca-Cola, Russell Athletic, Abbott, Takeda, and Cerner. Julius served as Head of Innovation, Diversity & Inclusion at Genentech. He is Chair of the Board of Directors at the Center for Healthcare Innovation, an independent, non-profit research institute dedicated to driving Health Equity, by leveraging technology, data analytics, and innovative marketplace platforms. Julius is not a traditional diversity officer. His focus is leveraging foundational principles of DEI to drive revenue, market share, new products, and unique services. He builds organizational diversity maturity which drives ideas across lines of demarcation and enables leaders to make better decisions. Julius learned a great deal about agility and clarity of mission during his service in the U.S. Navy. He notes that, “The Navy is requirement driven – you can delegate authority, but not responsibility”. He is a U.S. Navy Captain, Surface Warfare Officer, and instructor for the Navy Officer Leadership Development Program. He held significant roles in Atlantic and Pacific fleets. He had the honor of serving on the re-commissioning crew of the historic USS Missouri (BB-63). Julius is a graduate of Morehouse College and The Williston Northampton School (Easthampton, Massachusetts). He is on the following boards: Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership; Dr. Ernest Everett Just, Life Science Society; AArete Corporation; The Center for Healthcare Innovation (Board Chair). He was initiated into the legendary Psi Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity while at Morehouse.
Dr. Del Smith, PhD
CEO & Co-Founder, Acclinate
Dr. Del Smith harnesses the power of business to drive health equity. As the co-founder and CEO of Acclinate, a fast-growing digital health company, he is committed to ensuring that communities of color are empowered to make informed health decisions related to clinical trial participation. With an extensive background in healthcare, information technology, higher education, and government, Del brings a wealth of leadership experience to his role. Prior to his current position, he served as the dean of the business school at Alabama A&M University, where he nurtured the next generation of innovative thinkers. Del's understanding of technology and his entrepreneurial spirit have propelled him to establish and cultivate successful tech-related ventures. He possesses a deep curiosity about how minority-owned firms achieve remarkable levels of success, and his research on this subject has been widely recognized. His insights have been featured in esteemed publications, including the Journal of Business Research, the Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship, and the Journal of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Armed with a Ph.D. in Business from the University of Alabama, Del is dedicated to leveraging business as a force for bridging gaps in healthcare disparities and creating a more equitable society.
Dr. Adam M. Robinson, Jr., MD, MBA, CPE
Director, VA Pacific Islands Health Care System
36th SG US NAVY VADM, MC, (USN-Retired)
VIRTUAL KEYNOTE - DAY 2
Dr. Adam M. Robinson, Jr., MD, MBA, FACS, FASCRS, CPE, was appointed Director of the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System effective August 15, 2020. Prior to his appointment, he served as the Director for the VA Maryland Health Care System. Dr. Robinson has over 30 years of experience as a senior leader in the United States Military Health care System, culminating in his selection as the 36th Surgeon General of the United States Navy. The Surgeon General is the Chief Executive Officer for Navy and Marine Corps health care systems and serves as the primary advisor on all health care issues and policies for the Secretary of the Navy, the Chief of Naval Operations and the Commandant of the Marine Corps. As the Surgeon General, Dr. Robinson served as the principle Tricare Health Plan representative for active duty Sailors and Marines, their families, and Navy and Marine Corps retirees and their families, numbering over 2.5 million people. Dr. Robinson led a team of 63,000 Navy Medicine personnel in over 220 health care facilities located worldwide with an annual budget of $3.5 billion. This included three tertiary care medical centers located in geographically diverse parts of the United States that provided the single largest source of residency trained health care providers for the Navy medical department. After retiring from the United States Navy as a Vice Admiral, Dr. Robinson served as the Medical Director and Staff Physician of Conmed Healthcare Management in Montgomery County, Maryland. Dr. Robinson received his Doctor of Medicine from Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana, and completed his Residency in General Surgery at the National Naval Medical Center and Fellowship in Colon-Rectal Surgery at the Carle Foundation Hospital and the University of Illinois School of Medicine in Urbana, Illinois. Dr. Robinson also has a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. The author of numerous publications, Dr. Robinson holds fellowships in the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery. He is a Certified Physician Executive from the American College of Physician Executives. Dr. Robinson’s personal decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal (three awards), Legion of Merit (two awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal and various service, and campaign awards.
Ms. Michellene Davis, Esq.
President and Chief Executive Officer, National Medical Fellowships, Inc. (NMF)
VIRTUAL KEYNOTE - DAY 3
Michellene Davis is the National Medical Fellowships, Inc. (NMF) President and Chief Executive Officer. Davis is among Modern Healthcare magazine’s Top 25 Most Influential Minority Leaders in Healthcare, Becker's Hospital Black Healthcare Leaders to Know in 2023 and 2022, and Becker’s Hospital Review's Top 113 Great Leaders in Healthcare 2022. The National Association of Health Services Executives awarded her their 2021 Senior Health Care Executive Award. Davis also founded the Social Impact and Community Investment, an equity-centered, policy-led community health practice addressing health's social and political determinants. Serving under former New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine, was the first African American in state history to serve as Chief Policy Counsel and the first African American and the second woman to serve as New Jersey State Treasurer. She was the youngest person to serve as CEO of the New Jersey Lottery and also served as a senior policy advisor in the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. Davis is the co-author of Changing Missions, Changing Lives: How a Change Agent Can Turn the Ship and Create Impact (ForbesBooks, 2020), which provides a blueprint for those committed to leading systems change within organizations. Ms. Davis began her legal career as a trial litigator, is an Honors graduate of Seton Hall University, and holds a Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall School of Law. She has Executive Education Certificates in Corporate Social Responsibility from the Harvard Business School and Social Impact Strategy from the Wharton School of Business.
DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS
See video recap
NOTE: To ensure the health and safety of all guests, participants must be vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination status.
LEAD SPONSOR
SPONSORS
CHI’S VIRTUAL DIVERSITY CAREER FAIR
Key Contacts
CHI Executive Team
Agenda
Tuesday, June 20 (In-person)
8:00 - 9:00
Registration & Networking
9:00 - 9:30
Distinguished Welcoming Address
9:30 - 10:15
Panel 1 - Best Practices for Making Clinical Research More Inclusive
10:30 - 11:15
Panel 2 - DEI in Healthcare: Building Sustainable Strategies
11:30 - 12:00
Distinguished Keynote Address
12:00 - 12:40
Lunch
12:40 - 1:00
Case Study - Championing Diverse Blood Donors Through Innovation and Outreach
1:00 - 1:45
Panel 3 - Healthcare Technology, Race, & Equity
2:00 - 2:45
Panel 4 - Understanding Obstacles to Access to Care for Underserved Communities
2:45 - 3:00
Closing Remarks
3:00 - 4:00 Sponsored by PEP!IN
Networking & Cocktail Reception
Wednesday, June 21 (Virtual Diversity Career Fair)
11:00-11:30
Distinguished Welcoming Keynote
11:30 - 4:00
Virtual Diversity Career Fair
2:00 - 2:30
Virtual Case Study - The Diversity Drug: And Why Everyone Needs a Dose
Thursday, June 22 (Virtual)
11:00 - 11:45
Virtual Panel - Digital Health Equity: Lessons Learned from COVID-19
11:45 - 12:00
Symposium Distinguished Closing Remarks