The Annual Building Bridges Conference

Chair of the Center for Health Equity, Dr. Michelle Roett, stands in front of a screen that reads, Center for Health Equity Overview

Building Bridges at Georgetown University

The Building Bridges Conference is Georgetown University Center for Health Equity’s annual signature conference, bringing together researchers, clinicians, students, trainees, educators, community leaders, policymakers, and advocates committed to advancing health equity.

Each year, the conference serves as a forum for sharing innovative research, highlighting community-engaged initiatives, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and creating meaningful opportunities for mentorship and professional development. Through keynote presentations, panel discussions, learner scholarship presentations, and networking opportunities, participants engage in critical conversations focused on addressing health disparities and improving health outcomes for all communities.

The conference reflects the Center for Health Equity’s mission to promote health equity through research, education, clinical innovation, and community partnership.

Why Attend?

Participants will have the opportunity to:

Learn from leaders in health equity research, education, and practice
Explore innovative approaches to addressing health disparities
Share research and scholarly work
Connect with interdisciplinary collaborators and community partners
Discover mentorship and professional development opportunities
Engage with learners, investigators, and health equity champions across Georgetown University and partner organizations

2026 Conference Details

The 4th Annual Building Bridges to Healthier Communities Conference will take place on Thursday, September 10, 2026 from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm ET, in person at the Georgetown University Capitol Campus (111 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001). The room will be announced. The conference will include a keynote speaker, panelists, networking opportunities, as well as presentations and posters from learners and grant awardees.

🗓️ Thursday, September 10, 2026
🕐 8:00 – 3:00 p.m. E.T.
📍Georgetown University Capitol Campus, 111 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

Continuing Education Credit

All attendees who wish to claim CE credit must register on the MedStar CloudCME course page . This event is complimentary for internal MedStar Health and Georgetown University associates, as well as external attendees who will not claim CE credit. The registration fee for external associates wishing to claim CE credit is $140.

Accreditation

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by MedStar Health and the Georgetown University Center for Health Equity. MedStar Health is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Credit Designation

This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 4.00 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.

Register for the 4th Annual Building Bridges to Healthier Communities Conference:

Agenda

8:00 – 9:00 AM: Breakfast; Multipurpose Room
9:00 – 9:30 AM: Opening Plenary; Michelle A. Roett, MD, MPH, FAAFP. Equity in Action: Translating Health Equity Principles into Community-Focused Research, Education, and Clinical Practice; Multipurpose Room
9:30 – 10:30 AM: Keynote Speaker; Yalda Jabbarpour, MD, MPH. Investing in Primary Care: The Missing Strategy to Creating Healthier Communities; Multipurpose Room
10:30 – 11:50 AM: Panel of Speakers; Health Equity in Action: Innovations in Research, Policy, Education, Clinical Care and Community Engagement; Multipurpose Room
- Moderator: Randi M. Williams; PhD, MPH
- Panel Presentations:
  - Lady Nwadike, MS. From Community Knowledge to Clinical Advocacy: Reimagining Partnership in Black Women’s Health
  - Alison N. Huffstetler, MD, FAAFP. Highlighting Equity in Health Policy
  - Lois A. Wessel, DNP, FNP-BC. Equity Forward Faculty: Evidence-Based Inclusive Excellence in Medical Education
  - Karey M. Sutton, PhD. Safe Babies Safe Moms: Addressing Maternal and Infant Health Disparities Through Integrated Care
  - Adam J. Visconti, MD, MPH. Pre-Implementation for a Novel Model to Improve Preventive Care Screening for Persons with HIV
  - Jeffrey Weinfeld, MD. Million Hearts: The National Cardiovascular Health Program
  - Jordan B. Everson, PhD, MPP. Smoking Cessation in Primary Care Settings
  - Diana Quinn, BS. Using Community Health Needs Assessments to Advance Health Equity
- Interactive Discussion and Q&A
11:50 AM – 12:00 PM: Best Abstract Awardees Announced; Multipurpose Room
12:00 – 1:00 PM: Lunch & RAISE Speed Networking Event; Multipurpose Room
- RAISE Mentors:
  - Sonia Canzater, JD, MPH
  - M. Carter Denny, MD, MPH
  - Katarina (Kate) AuBuchon, PhD
  - Adeela Abbasi, BS
  - Jeffrey Weinfeld, MD
  - Shikha Chandarana, PhD
12:00 – 3:00 PM: Community Partnership Tables; 3rd Floor Lounge
- Black Women Thriving East of the River – Lady Nwadike, MS
- Pathways to Housing DC – Kelvin Osei Asamoah
- Voices for a second Chance – Paula Thompson
- MedStar Health – Khaleelah Cohen
- Ayuda – Diana Fitz
- HOYA Clinic – Noor Naheed
- CHE Advisory Committee
1:00 – 2:00 PM: Health Equity Research IGNITE Session: Emerging Innovations and Community-Based Solutions; 3rd Floor
- Heather Bradford, PhD, CNM, FACNM. Mitigating Harm and Improving Quality of Care by Examining Weight Bias in Perinatal Care in Washington, DC; Room 3104
- Charlotte Gamble, MD, MPH. A Community Health Worker Program for Early Detection of Endometrial Cancer in Washington, DC; Room 3108
- Sadia Obaidul, PhD. (Presenting on behalf of Maisha R. Huq, PhD). Promoting Cancer Genetic Testing Among South Asian Americans in Washington, DC; Room 3110
- Katie Daily, DNP, CNM, FACNM. (Presenting on behalf of Christina X. Marea, PhD, MA, MSN, FACNM). Postpartum Well-Being Among Hispanic and Latinx/e Birthing People in Washington, DC; Room 3202
- Danyel I. Smith, PhD. The Role of Family Communication in Shared Behavioral and Metabolic Obesity-Related Risk; Room 3208
- Keri Kirk, PhD. In Our Hue: Supporting Maternal Mental Health and Physical Activity Among Millennial Black Mothers in Washington, DC; Room 3210
- Shikha Chandarana, PhD. Safe Babies Safe Moms: Addressing Maternal and Infant Health Disparities Through Integrated Care; Room 3212
- Inwoo Cho, BS. (Presenting on behalf of Amalia Londoño Tobón, MD). Increasing Access to Counseling for Black and Latina Women with Perinatal Depression Symptoms; Room 3214
2:00 – 3:00 PM: Poster Presentation Showcase; 3rd Floor Halls

Transportation & Parking

Transportation to Capitol Campus: There is a free GUTS Capitol Campus Shuttle that runs to Capitol Campus from Georgetown University. Please note the names of the stops below and the locations.

GU Campus Bus Stop: McDonough Bus Turnaround, Library Walk, Washington, DC
Capitol Campus Bus Stop: 111 Massachusetts Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC

Parking: Parking is available at and near 111 Mass Ave. NW. Please note that space at 111 Mass Ave. NW is limited and parking is $75. The parking garage entrance is located on H Street. Other parking options can be found here .

Important Dates to Remember

RSVP to the RAISE Speed Networking Session: open now while slots remain

Poster Presentations — Call for Abstracts CLOSED

Key Details:
- Abstract Submission Form: CLOSED
- Abstract Submission Deadline: August 10, 2026
- Accepted Abstracts Announced: August 26, 2026
- Best Abstract Awardee Announced: September 3, 2026
We encourage submissions related to health equity, community-engaged research, population health, health services research, medical education, and related topics.
Submissions are open to ALL students and learners, including undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, master’s, medical students, nursing students, doctoral degree students (PhD, EdD, etc.), fellows and postdoctoral fellows, as well as residents.
Your abstract should be no more than 400 words and include several pieces of information, including but not limited to, background, methods, results and discussion. You will also need to include how your work’s health equity implications and list at least two learning objectives.
Building Bridges Best Abstract Award Opportunity: All submitted abstracts will be considered for the Building Bridges Best Abstract Award.
- Abstracts will be evaluated based on their relevance to health equity, potential to advance equitable health outcomes, quality and rigor of the work, originality of the approach, and potential impact on communities, policy, education, clinical care, or public health. Reviewers will also consider how clearly and effectively the abstract communicates its key findings and significance.
- This award provides an opportunity to receive recognition for your work and can be a valuable addition to your CV, resume, and future academic or professional applications.

RAISE Speed Networking Lunch Session — RSVP Open

Key Details:
- RSVP form for students and learners: https://forms.gle/FjjfbSBZjbF7Gmxj7
- RSVP form for volunteer mentors: CLOSED
The RAISE (Research Accelerator program for Innovation in Scholarship Equity) Speed Networking Session is an interactive event designed to create meaningful connections between students, learners, and faculty conducting health equity research across Georgetown University, MedStar Health, and beyond, and to help spark potential mentorship and research opportunities.
Event Objectives:
- Highlight faculty engaged in health equity research across MedStar Health and Georgetown University
- Create opportunities for students and learners to connect with health equity researchers
- Explore potential mentorship, collaboration, and research experience opportunities
What to Expect: The RAISE event will be a speed networking session where participants rotate between tables for brief, focused conversations with faculty, mentors, and peers. You’ll have the opportunity to share your interests, learn about ongoing research, and discuss possible next steps for engagement.

Past Event Photos

Dr. Yalda Jabbarpour, Director of the Robert Graham Center, presents on "Inspiring Next Steps: Reimagining Primary Care Through a Health Equity Lens".

A group photo of the 2025 Building Bridges Conference in the Center for Health Equity office.