2023 Keynote Speakers

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Kathleen Carlson, MS, PhD

Kathleen Carlson, MS, PhD is an Associate Professor of Epidemiology at the Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University School of Public Health, and a Core Investigator with the VA Portland Health Care System’s Health Services Research Center of Innovation. Dr. Carlson completed her BS degree at Oregon State University, and her MS and PhD degrees at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, focused on injury and violence epidemiology. Dr. Carlson’s research examines the spectrum of injury and violence prevention, from the epidemiology of intentional and unintentional injuries to the rehabilitation of military veterans with combat injuries and comorbid mental health disorders. Her current research grants examine gun violence and other firearm-related injuries, opioid-related injuries, and the short- and long-term functional outcomes of veterans’ traumatic brain injury. Dr. Carlson teaches and mentors MPH and PhD students in epidemiology and research methodology, and directs the health services research postdoctoral fellowship program at the Portland VA. She also leads the newly formed OHSU Gun Violence Prevention Research Center, focused on using the tools of public health to reduce firearm-related injury and death in Oregon and nationwide. Her leadership roles with national injury prevention organizations include serving on the Board of Directors for the Society for Advancement of Violence and Injury Research and with the Injury Control and Emergency Health Services section of the American Public Health Association.

Born and raised in rural Oregon, Dr. Carlson grew up with firearms and is a firearm owner. In 2013, she also experienced the loss of a family member – a combat veteran – to firearm suicide. 

Christine Getman

Christine Getman (she/her) is a Disability Health Equity Strategist at the Oregon Health Authority. She joined the agency during the COVID-19 Response as an Accessibility Policy Analyst. She is also the Executive Director of Magic Wheelchair, a nonprofit organization that promotes inclusion and self-expression of children with disabilities through adaptive cosplay. In both roles, she openly embraces the term “disability pride” and strategically holds industries to higher standards for disability representation. She studied Public Health and Psychology at Portland State University. Her career experience and lived experience has shaped a multifaceted journey which includes executive leadership, legislative advocacy, accessibility, program development, evaluation, and grant writing.

Chris Chanyasulkit, MPH, PhD

Chris Chanyasulkit is grounded in a strong belief in eliminating the structural barriers to equity for vulnerable populations. Chris holds leadership positions with local, state, regional and national governance and civic engagement organizations, working to promote racial, gender, and health equity. She served as a gubernatorial appointee to the Massachusetts Asian American Commission and the Commission on the Status of Women where she advocated for the needs of Asian Americans and Women throughout the Commonwealth. 

Dr. Chanyasulkit has served as a Human Services Specialist and Assistant Director of Diversity in the town of Brookline’s Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Relations. She designed and delivered graduate public health courses at the Simmons University Department of Public Health. She also serves as an adjunct Assistant Professor at Temple University, where she teaches Public Health Advocacy in the College of Public Health. Chris earned a B.A. in Biology and Art History from Boston University, an M.P.H. (with a concentration in maternal and child health care) from the Boston University School of Public Health, and a Ph.D. in Political Science from Northeastern University, where she conducted research on health disparities. 

In addition to her advocacy and scholarly pursuits, Dr. Chanyasulkit is President of the American Public Health Association (APHA), an elected Library Trustee of the Public Libraries of Brookline, a Brookline Community Emergency Response Team member, and a Brookline Medical Reserve Corps member. Chris lives in Brookline, Massachusetts with her husband, James, a software engineer, their three children, and two puppies.

Sponsor the 79th OPHA Annual Conference & Meeting!

Join us as a sponsor for the 79th OPHA Annual Conference & Meeting, the premier professional development event for the largest gathering of public health professionals in Oregon. By sponsoring the conference, your organization will gain valuable exposure to a diverse audience of public health professionals, stakeholders, and decision-makers from around the Northwest. Your support will contribute to the success of the conference and help advance public health in Oregon.

Attendees serve rural, urban, frontier, low income, marginalized, culturally specific, and racially diverse communities. Bringing so many perspectives together creates an important and unique learning opportunity.

OPHA is creating new pathways for learning and connection. OPHA seeks partners that will support our eff orts to enable colleagues at nonprofi ts, community-based organizations and students to share their work or attend perhaps for the fi rst time. Your support will create new learning, networking and collaboration at the conference and all year long.

Act Now! Don't miss this opportunity to connect with Oregon's public health community and showcase your organization's commitment to advancing public health. Complete your application here.

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