Rise

Opening Remarks

Co-chair: 

Krista Drobac, MPP 
Co-Chair
Aligning for Health 

Sandra Elizabeth Ford, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.A.P.  
Public Health Expert  
CEO 
BFT Consulting, LLC 
Former Special Assistant to the President for Public Health and Science 
White House Domestic Policy Council 

Opening Keynote: The Future of SDOH Policy in Federal Programs

• Explore the evolving landscape of health equity policy within federal programs, highlighting the latest initiatives, challenges, and opportunities for creating more equitable health outcomes for all 

• Gain a comprehensive overview of current federal efforts to integrate SDOH into healthcare policy, focusing on innovative strategies and successful models 

• Walk away with an update on recent policy developments and future directions in federal health programs 

• Discuss collaborative efforts between federal agencies, state and local governments, and community organizations 

Jessica Schubel 
Special Assistant to the President for Health Care at the Domestic Policy Council 
Executive Office of the President 
White House Domestic Policy Counsel 

Panel - 2024: A Year of Achievements

• Explore the significant strides made in 2024 towards advancing health equity and addressing SDOH across key federal agencies 

• Gain a deeper understanding of the collaborative efforts and groundbreaking initiatives that have shaped the landscape of health equity over the past year 

Moderator: 

Sandra Elizabeth Ford, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.A.P.  
Public Health Expert  
CEO 
BFT Consulting, LLC 
Former Special Assistant to the President for Public Health and Science 
White House Domestic Policy Council 

Panelists: 

Dr. Ernest Moy 
Executive Director 
Veterans Health Administration Office of Health Equity 

Alexandra Bryden    
Sr. Policy Advisor 
Office of Minority Health (CMS)  

Mindful Moment Provided by the Mindful Child Initiative

Implementing SDOH, PIN, and CHI Services in Medicare: What Have We Learned?

• Join us for an in-depth panel discussion focused on the practical implementation of the Calendar Year (CY) 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), specifically addressing services related to SDOH assessment, Principal Illness Navigation (PIN), and Community Health Integration (CHI)

• Gain insights from lessons learned from the initial implementation phase  

• Explore opportunities to enhance the operationalization of these crucial services in collaboration with community health workers (CHWs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) 

Moderator: 

Matt Longjohn, M.D., M.P.H. 
Representative Elect, 40th District 
Michigan House of Representatives 

Panelists: 

Kelly Cronin  
Deputy Administrator, Innovation and Partnership at HHS Administration of Community Living 
ACL  

Doug Jacobs  
Chief Transformation Officer  
CMS 

Timothy P. McNeill, RN, MPH 
Co-Chair  
Partnership to Align Social Care  
Principal 
Freedman’s Health 

Evolution of HRSN Data Collection in Federal Programs

• Explore the evolving landscape of health-related social needs (HRSN) data collection through federal programs and its transformative potential for healthcare providers, payers, health systems, and community-based organizations (CBOs) 

• Delve into the latest policy changes and future directions in HRSN data collection 

• Discuss the impact of this data on healthcare delivery, policy-making, and community health initiatives, providing valuable insights into how diverse stakeholders can collaborate to leverage this information for better health outcomes 

Moderator: 
Lenel James  
Interoperability Solutions Lead  
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association 

Panelists:  

Karen Hacker 
Director National Center of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion 
CDC  

Jessica Little 
VP, Business Development and Programs 
Civitas Networks for Health 

JaWanna Henry, MPH, MCHES 
Interoperability Systems Branch Chief  
ONC  

Mindful Moment Provided by the Mindful Child Initiative

Innovative Approaches to Improve Maternal Health Equity

• Gain an in-depth analysis of the current state of maternal health equity in the United States 

• Delve into the critical issue of disparities in birth outcomes, maternal mortality, and morbidity with focus on opportunities within federal health programs and private sector to address these disparities and promote healthier pregnancies and births for all mothers 

• Explore innovative approaches and initiatives aimed at improving maternal health outcomes 

Moderator: 
Priya Bathija  
Founder + CEO  
Nyoo Health 

Panelists: 

Yolanda Lawson, MD, FACOG  
Executive Director, Maternal Infant Health  
HCSC  
 

Julie Anderson, MPH  
Senior Director, Clinical Outcomes  
Maven Clinic 

Angela D. Thomas, DrPH, MPH, MBA 
Vice President, Healthcare Delivery Research 
Executive Lead, Safe Babies Safe Moms 
MedStar Health 

State-Level Policies to Address Health-Related Social Needs

• Discover the innovative state-level policies that are transforming healthcare by addressing health-related social needs in this illuminating panel discussion 

• Get a comprehensive look at how states are utilizing 1115 waivers, public health initiatives, and Medicaid managed care organizations to create impactful programs 

• Gain firsthand insights into the challenges, successes, and lessons learned from the policymakers directly involved in these groundbreaking efforts 

Moderator: 

Blair Harrison  
Policy Director, Community & Social Health  
UnitedHealthcare Community & State 

 
Panelists: 
Jack Rollins 
Director of Federal Policy   
The National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) 
 
Jenny McGuigan Babcock 
Senior Vice President for Medicaid Policy  
Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP)  

Sandra Wilkniss, PhD 
Senior Program Director
The National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) 

Mindful Moment Provided by the Mindful Child Initiative

CBO Panel: Grassroots Efforts and Community-Based Approaches to Community-Driven SDOH Initiatives

• Explore the power of grassroots efforts and community-based approaches in addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) and promoting health equity in this engaging panel discussion 

• Hear about success stories of community-driven initiatives that are tackling specific health disparities and gain insights into how you can scale similar efforts in your community  

• Get strategies for fostering strong collaborations with local governments, healthcare providers, businesses, and other community-based organizations to enhance the reach and impact of SDOH initiatives 

• Hear how local organizations have navigated policy landscapes to secure funding, support, and legislative backing for their initiatives, ensuring long-term sustainability 

Moderator: 

Rick Whitted 
President & CEO 
U.S. Hunger
 
Panelists: 

Ruth Ann Norton 
President & CEO  
Green & Healthy Homes Initiative  

Brandon Wilson 
Chief Operating Officer  
Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry

Rene Hurtado, MBA 
Chief of Staff 
Emergence Health Network 

Case Study: Navigating Reimbursement for SDOH-Related Services in NC

Brandon Wilson 
Chief Operating Officer  
Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry

Mindful Moment Provided by the Mindful Child Initiative

Closing Remarks

Co-chair: 

Krista Drobac, MPP 
Co-Chair
Aligning for Health 

Sandra Elizabeth Ford, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.A.P.  
Public Health Expert  
CEO 
BFT Consulting, LLC 
Former Special Assistant to the President for Public Health and Science 
White House Domestic Policy Council 

Breakfast Roundtable Discussions

Grab your breakfast and join us for interactive roundtables on pertinent industry topics. These idea-exchange sessions are 20 minutes long, allowing you to make your way to two different roundtables.  

Participate in a facilitated roundtable discussion and deep dive with peers on timely topics, including: 

1. Women’s Health  -  Priya Bathija, Founder + CEO, Nyoo Health
2. Addressing Food Insecurity  - Alexandra Rouzier, Full Cart Program Manager, U.S. Hunger
3. Addressing the Needs of the LGBTQIA+ Community  - Sue Auman, Chief Engagement Officer, Community Action Association of Pennsylvania  
4. Mental and Behavioral Health - Kristen Daugherty, LCSW-S, LISW-S, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, Emergence Health Network 
5. Health Equity for the LatinX Community - Suyanna Linhales Barker, DrPH, Chief Program Officer, La Clinica Del Pueblo 
6. Experiences in Data Sharing and Information Exchange - Caitlin Holcomb, Entrepreneur and Patient Advocate  
7. Public/Private partnerships to Address SDOH/DOH – Aviva Woog, Director of Health Equity and Drivers of Health, Centene  
8. CDC PLACES Data Tool Demo - Kurt Greenlund, PhD, Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch Chief in the Division of Population Health, CDC 

Welcome Remarks and Day One Recap

Co-chair: 

Krista Drobac, MPP 
Co-Chair
Aligning for Health 

Sandra Elizabeth Ford, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.A.P.  
Public Health Expert  
CEO 
BFT Consulting, LLC 
Former Special Assistant to the President for Public Health and Science 
White House Domestic Policy Council 

Fireside Chat: A conversation on patient experience, access and policy

Interviewee:   

Charlotte Safrit  
Patient Advocate  

Moderator: 

Shannon Decker, PhD., MBA, MBA, M.Ed., M.Ed.
Risk Adjustment Expert, Founder & CEO 
VBC One 

Coalition Agendas and Strategies for Advancing Policy in 2025

Moderator: 

Krista Drobac, MPP 
Co-Chair
Aligning for Health 

Panelists: 

Lauren Riplinger 
Chief Public Policy and Impact Officer 
AHIMA 

Hannah Wagner 
Senior Advisor, Policy Development & Partnership 
Nemours Children's Health 

Casey Osgood Landry  
Senior Advisor, Legislative & Regulatory Affairs  
Nemours Children's Health 

Autumn Campbell 
Director  
Partnership to Align Social Care 

Systems-Based Solutions to Tackle SDOH

Join us for an engaging panel discussion featuring leading experts from the Convergence Center for Policy Resolution and the Brookings Institution as they present their latest white paper on multi-sector policy opportunities to address SDOH at the federal level. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of innovative strategies and collaborative approaches designed to tackle SDOH through coordinated efforts across various sectors. 

Moderator: 

Stuart M. Butler 
Scholar in Residence in Economic Studies 
The Brookings Institu
 
Panelists:  

Sue Pechilio Polis  
Vice President of Public Relations and Government Affairs 
Lutheran Services 

Mark Humowiecki  
General Counsel and Senior Director of National Initiatives 
Camden Coalition 

Lessons from the Field: State Efforts to Address SDOH

Join us for an insightful panel discussion showcasing innovative state efforts to tackle critical issues: food security, housing stability, and pre-release transition services for incarcerated populations. This session will feature state policymakers who have been at the forefront of designing and implementing these impactful policies. Attendees will hear firsthand experiences and gain practical knowledge on the collaborative processes required to make these programs successful, involving partnerships with the private sector, community-based organizations, and social services agencies. 

Moderator:  

Kalin Scott  
Healthy Alliance 

Panelists:  

Marcella Maguire  
Corporation for Supportive Housing 

Rick Whitted 
President & CEO 
U.S. Hunger 

Panel: The Role of Private Sector Partnerships to Address SDOH

• Learn from successful collaborations between businesses and health organizations, with focus on how these partnerships have created impactful solutions to improve health outcomes and promote health equity 
• Discuss policy opportunities that can facilitate and enhance these collaborative efforts 
• Hear about examples of innovative programs and initiatives developed through these partnerships that have led to measurable improvements in health equity

Moderator: 

Shannon Decker, PhD., MBA, MBA, M.Ed., M.Ed.
Risk Adjustment Expert, Founder & CEO 
VBC One 

Panelists: 

Danielle Cameron 
Director, Program Management 
CalOptima Health  

Blair Harrison  
Policy Director, Community & Social Health  
UnitedHealthcare Community & State  
 

Tashique Thomas 
Health Equity Leader  

Anticipating 2025 - Federal and State Policy Efforts to Address Social Determinants of Health

• Hear a forward-looking perspective on what to expect in 2025 for federal and state policy efforts aimed at addressing SDOH 

• Delve into anticipated federal administrative activity 

• Walk away with the tools to influence the evolving policy landscape effectively  

Krista Drobac, MPP 
Co-Chair
Aligning for Health 

Closing Remarks

Co-chair: 

Krista Drobac, MPP 
Co-Chair
Aligning for Health 

Sandra Elizabeth Ford, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.A.P.  
Public Health Expert  
CEO 
BFT Consulting, LLC 
Former Special Assistant to the President for Public Health and Science 
White House Domestic Policy Council