On Friday, April 14, Salem Academy and College hosted the 2nd Annual Health Leadership Forum in their historic Hanes Auditorium. Dr. Summer McGee, president of the college, kicked off the morning by declaring Salem as not only a liberal arts college, but also one with a particular focus on health leadership. Having transformed courses and curriculum over the last three years to encourage such developments, the Salem Academy forges all students – including those not majoring or minoring in health and science disciplines – with the commitment of health leadership in their communities.

Keynote

Past President of the American Medical Association, Dr. Patrice Harris, graced the stage by tasking the nearly 300 attendees with three primarily goals in her keynote address: continuous acknowledgement of fault lines in communication and practice within the healthcare system, giving voice to those missing at the decision-making table, and expanding the diversity of personal and professional networks in the service of improving health outcomes. What followed were discussions with some of the nation’s leaders in health practice, discourse, and philanthropy.

Panels

Panel discussions spanned most of the morning and included experts in health management, reproductive health, education, and even architecture! One panel discussed human rights with a particular focus on the transgender community and the lack of coverage available for gender affirming procedures and therapies. This conversation also shed light on organizations committed to supporting birthing people and their right to choose healthcare pathways suitable to personal and private choices.

The environmental health panel featured Wake’s very own Crystal Dixon, Assistant Professor of Practice in the Health & Exercise Science department, environmentalist, and racial equity strategist. Crystal, along with a New York City urban designer and North Carolina food bank executive, acknowledged the relationship between and the importance of liberal arts and storytelling and their impacts on health care and related policies.

In Summary

Along with great content developed and organized by Salem Academy and College alumni, faculty, staff, and students, a networking lunch allowed for speakers and attendees to connect and continue their conversations more personally. Considering this annual forum is just around the corner here in Winston-Salem, free(!), and can allow attendees to stay current on leadership and policy topics in the health sciences, I have already added it to my Spring 2024 calendar!