14th Annual Health Equity Symposium - 2026
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To continue participating in the symposium, please use the Virtual Boardroom link provided in the agenda.
DAY 1 - Thursday, October 29: IN-PERSON
9:00 AM - Registration & Networking
9:30 AM - Symposium Opening & Welcome
speakers: Mark Ishaug; Julius Pryor III
9:45 AM - Featured Welcome: Cook County Clerk
speaker: CLERK Monica Gordon
10:00 AM – Morning Keynote Address
SPEAKERS: Sharon A. Williams
11:00 AM - Oncology & Cancer Care Panel
SPEAKERS: Ricki Fairley; dr. Vijayakrishna “VK” Gadi; Kimberly Richardson
12:00 PM - Mid-Break Program
virtual program - Dr. Renarda Jones
1:00 PM – Afternoon Featured Address
Speaker: Wendy Thompson
1:35 PM – Brain Health Panel
SpeakerS: John R. Dwyer Jr.; Dr. Neelum T. Aggarwal; Delia Jervier
2:35 PM – Afternoon Break
3:00 PM – Funding and Support for Minority Orgs
SPEAKERS: State Senator Mike Simmons; DR. Jeffrey Sherman; Andrea L. Neely
4:00 PM – Day One Closing Keynote Address
SPEAKER: dr. Martin Mendoza
DAY 2 - Friday, October 30: IN-PERSON
9:00 AM - Networking & Arrival
9:30 AM - Day 2: Opening & Welcome
speakers: Julius Pryor III; Meghan Phillipp
9:45 AM - Chicago Welcome Address
SPEAKER: April Curtis
10:00 AM - Who Stays, Who Leads: Building a Healthcare Workforce Where Women Thrive
Speaker: Meghan Phillipp; Dr. Tonya Payton-Campbell; Dr. Chidinma Osineme; Dr. Lauren Smith; Michelle Stohlmeyer Russell
11:00 AM - Morning Keynote Address
Speaker: Dr. Catina Latham
12:00 PM - Mid-Break Program
VIRTUAL PRESENTATION BY DR. Eugene Manley
1:00 PM - Generations in Healthcare Panel
Speaker: Dr. Benée Brown; Estrelitta Harmon; Toni Warren; Kendal Whitlock; Katrina Agnew; Pamela Garmon Johnson
2:00 PM - Black Women in Healthcare & Leadership Panel
SpeakerS: Erickajoy Daniels; La Toya McClellan
3:15 PM - Closing Keynote
Speaker: Ricki Fairley
Please join us for the Closing Reception & Networking to connect with fellow attendees, continue the conversation, and conclude the event together from 4 PM.