Pennsylvania State of the Union On Latino Health

PA map

Due to the forecast of another major storm expected to hit the East Coast this week, the State of the Union on Latino Health event, originally planned for Thursday, October 10, will be postponed to a future date. For the safety of several of our speakers traveling in from Florida and North Carolina, and for the safety of all attendees, we feel this is the responsible decision. 

Those requesting a ticket refund may do so through Eventbrite. Sponsorships will transfer over to the rescheduled event, and the new event date will be communicated in the next 30 days. We greatly appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate this change. Most importantly, our thoughts are with those who will be directly impacted by the storm.

WHEN

POSTPONED

New event date to be shared within 30 days

WHERE

Hilton Harrisburg

1 N. 2nd St
Harrisburg, PA 17101

Join us for dynamic and powerful conversations about the health of Latinos and other marginalized communities through the lens of policy. This is the perfect event for policymakers, organizational decision-makers, professionals in health and human services, and students interested in pushing the needle on health equity for minority communities. Bring your voice!

Thank You To Our Signature Sponsor

Thank You To Our Media Partner

Thank You To Our Sponsors

Sponsorship Opportunities

Contact George Fernandez to learn how to become a sponsor.

Vendor Opportunities

Contact Raquel Huggins to learn how to become a vendor.

Tentative Agenda

7:30 AM

Registration & Breakfast

8:00 – 8:45 AM

Opening Comments & Declaration

George Fernandez
Founder and CEO, Latino Connection, a Color & Culture catalyst
David Saunders
Director of Health Equity, Pennsylvania Department of Health

8:45 – 10:00 AM

Morning Panel – Beyond Band-Aids: Policy Solutions for a Healthier Society

Patricia Fonzi (moderator)
President/CEO, Family Health Council of Central PA
Dr. Jessica Lee
Chief Medical Officer, Centers for Medicare
& Medicaid Services
Alisa Jones
President & CEO, Union Community Care
Gwendolyn B. Zander, Esq.
Director, Bureau of Managed Care Operations, PA Department of Human Services
Rev. Dr. Lorina Marshall-Blake, MGA, FAAN
President & CEO, Independence Blue Cross Foundation
Anthony Wright
Executive Director, Families USA

10:00 – 10:15 AM

Morning Break

10:15 – 11:30 AM

Time to Visit Vendors
Speed Networking Session

Sean McCormick, PhD, MS
Associate Director of Public Health Programs, Latino Connection, a Color & Culture catalyst

Breakout Session: Leveraging Community Partnerships To Address Social Determinants Of Health Negatively Impacting Latino Health

Dr. Sarah Inés Ramírez, MD, FAAFP
Founding Chair, National Hispanic Medical Association – Pennsylvania Chapter

11:45 AM – 12:45 PM

Lunch and Keynote Speaker

Melanie Fontes Rainer
Director of the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

1:00 – 2:15 PM

Fireside Chat 

Carolina Cabrera DiGiorgio (moderator)
Vice President of Government & External Affairs, PECO

Akbar Hossain
Secretary of Policy and Planning, Commonwealth of PA

2:30 – 3:00 PM

Closing Plenary

George Fernandez
Founder and CEO, Latino Connection, a Color & Culture catalyst

About Latino Connection

Latino Connection is Pennsylvania’s premier marketing and communications agency that launches brands into the country’s most powerful multicultural market. Passion and experience drive our dual mission—to educate and support the Latino community while expanding the reach of the organizations we serve. Latino Connection is a catalyst of Color & Culture, along with PPO&S, which combines more than 50 years of marketing and advertising experience with transformative energy and innovation to reach the multicultural marketplace.

We know that an insightful, relevant approach must be strategic. Our non-traditional method offers flexibility, a firm network of resources, and high-quality translation and interpretation services—to ensure your message is ethical, accurate, and appropriate.

With founder and President George Fernandez at the helm, Latino Connection has served millions of Latinos and helped scores of organizations maximize their reach and protect their core operations. Clients range from billion-dollar, private sector businesses such as Integrity Staffing Solutions and UPS, to non-profit entities and government agencies such as Capital Area Head Start and The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. Latino Connection is certified by the Eastern Minority Supplier Diversity Council and is recognized as a Hispanic Business Enterprise by the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and as a Minority Certified Business by the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.