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2020 OPHA Annual Conference & Meeting 

OPHA's 76th Annual Conference & Meeting is going virtual.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Interested in sponsoring this event or exhibiting? Download the 2020 sponsor prospectus and submit your application here. Conference sponsorship is essential to making the conference happen no matter the format. Sponsorships also support OPHA's work all year. Our Development Committee is adjusting our sponsor benefits and levels and will be publishing those very soon.

WHEN & WHERE

Date: Monday, October 12 & Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Location: Our conference & meeting will be held virtually and no travel will be required

Have questions about how the conference will work?  Jump to our FAQ section.

REGISTRATION

Early bird registration is open now! REGISTER HERE

WHAT

The OPHA Annual Conference & Meeting is the premier public health event in Oregon. Since 1944 public health leaders, professionals, educators, advocates, students and stakeholders have come together to share the latest in research, programs, and information. Join us for this important, informative, and inspiring public health event! 

The Oregon Public Health Association has hosted the state's public health conference in person for the last 75 years. In our 76th year, in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to protect the health of all who attend and our communities, we will host the conference virtually for the very first time. This year’s conference may be the most important one we have ever hosted.

This year, public health is in the public eye like never been before. The unprecedented crisis of our time provides an opportunity to come together to discuss the current situation, examine what we are learning, and strategize what we can we do better in the future in the face of a pandemic.

Peer to peer learning and networking are important parts of the training and development of our field and we remain committed to offering these opportunities at the 2020 conference. More details will come on how the conference will look, but we are excited to have experts in virtual conferences on board to make this our best conference yet.

Download the 2020 OPHA Annual Conference & Meeting flyer

At OPHA 2020 you'll find the latest in public health research and trends, focused learning sessions, thought-provoking speakers, and plenty of networking opportunities. Highlights include:

Education: Over 80 presentations on key functional areas of public health; facilitated discussion forums to learn from your peers; and an interactive poster session.

***Continuing education credits will be available. Stay tuned for details.***

Networking Events: Connect with other public health professionals and stakeholders from around the Northwest during plentiful breaks, and other creative virtual networking oppurtunities.

Association Awards: Join OPHA in recognizing Oregon's public health advocates and leaders. 

Professional Opportunities, Products & Services: Connect with OPHA Sponsors and visit the Exhibit Hall.

Attendees include: Public Health Practitioners, Physicians, Administrators, Dental Professionals, Nurses, Educators, Policy Makers, Community Leaders, Researchers, Non-profit Executives, CCO Executives & Partners, and Students

OPHA 2020 Keynote Speakers:

Lisa Carlson, MPH, MCHES
President, American Public Health Association (APHA)
Executive Administrator, Research Programs and Operations, Emory School of Medicine

Lisa M Carlson is executive administrator, research programs and operations, at Emory University School of Medicine, directing research initiatives across the School’s core missions, and working at the intersection of health sciences, research administration, and practice. She has served 18 years at Emory in the School of Medicine and the Rollins School of Public Health (RSPH). Her Emory experience includes launching the operations of Emory’s largest-ever sponsored award (CHAMPS) and facilitating Emory Transplant Center teams that grew academic program funding by >350% in 6 years. She is on the adjunct faculty at RSPH, where she teaches in the Executive Master of Public Health (EMPH) Program.  Carlson is president of the American Public Health Association (APHA), past chair of APHA’s Executive Board, and a past president and honorary lifetime member of the Georgia Public Health Association. 

Bruce Goldberg, MD

 

Bruce Goldberg, MD served two Oregon Governors, as the Director of the Oregon Office for Health Policy and Research from 2003-2005, Director of the Oregon Department of Human Services from November 2005 through February 2011, and then was the founding Director of the Oregon Health Authority from February 2011 through 2013. In that role, Bruce led Oregon's nationally recognized health reforms transforming Oregon’s Medicaid system to one based on a model of coordinated care. In addition, he established Oregon’s Healthy Kids program expanding health coverage for children and transformed the delivery of public human services to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

His experiences span time as an administrator of large complex organizations, a practicing clinician, teacher/academician, a county health officer, medical director for a Medicaid managed care organization and Clinical Director for the US Public Health Services in Zuni, New Mexico. He was and faculty member at the Oregon Health and Sciences University School of Medicine for more than 15 years. He currently consults nationally on health policy issues.

Mandy Davis, LCSW, PhD.
Associate Professor of Practice
Director, Trauma Informed Oregon 
Portland State University School of Social Work

Dr. Davis is an Associate Professor of Practice at Portland State University’s School of Social Work and a licensed clinical social worker.  She is Director of Trauma Informed Oregon, a program primarily funded by the Oregon Health Authority, to advance trauma informed care throughout organizations and systems through training, consultation, and implementation resources. Dr. Davis teaches and lectures on implementing trauma informed care and trauma specific services. Her current interests include measuring change when organizations and systems implement the principles of trauma informed care, the impact of toxic stress on the workforce, intersectionality between equity work, and the impact of systemic oppression.

Leann Johnson, MS
Director of Office of Equity and Inclusion, Oregon Health Authority

Leann Johnson, M.S., is the director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion. She joined the Oregon Health Authority in 2010 as an executive manager for the Diversity, Inclusion and Civil Rights unit. Leann has more than 20 years of leadership experience developing equity, diversity and intercultural programs in the public and non-profit sectors. Past employers include Clark College, the City of Vancouver and the YWCA of Clark County. She also has served as a consultant to multiple agencies and organizations including the Vancouver Police Department, Portland General Electric, Bonneville Power Administration, Hewlett-Packard and the Southern Poverty Law Center. Leann is a qualified administrator for the Intercultural Development Inventory and the Intercultural Conflict Style Inventory. She holds a master's degree in industrial/organizational psychology with program focus in multicultural organizational development and indigenous psychology. Leann also has a bachelor's degree in communications management from the University of Portland.

OPHA 2020 Plenary Panels: 

Monday, October 12
Topic: State and Local Responses to COVID-19 Pandemic

Moderator: Mimi McDonell, Health Officer, North Central Public Health District
Patrick Allen, OHA Director
Tricia Mortell, Washington County Public Health Director
Katrina Rothenberger, Marion County Public Health Director
Michael McNickle, Clatsop County Public Health Director
Sarah Poe, Malheur County Public Health Director

The panel will focus on the State and Local public health response to COVID-19, challenges faced, and lessons learned. Panelists will describe the varied challenges health departments are addressing related to testing, contact tracing, and response across the varied geographies and population demographics of Oregon. To align with the overall conference focus on the future of public health, panelists will address how lessons from COVID-19 should influence the future of the public health system in Oregon.

Tuesday, October 13:
Topic: Oregon's diverse population's experience with COVID 19 Pandemic

More details to come

Conference Sponsors & Exhibitor Opportunities

The 2020 OPHA Annual Conference & Meeting is the premier annual event for more than 400 public health professionals throughout Oregon. As an OPHA Conference Sponsor or Exhibitor, you have the chance to showcase your organization with the decision makers responsible for crafting and implementing local and state-level policies and programs that directly contribute to the effectiveness and success of public health in Oregon.

Download the OPHA 2020 Sponsor-Exhibitor Prospectus to view sponsor levels and benefits.

Complete the sponsorship application here.

Questions? Please contact OPHA Executive Director Jessica Nischik-Long for more information.

FAQs

What is a virtual conference?
A virtual conference is hosted entirely over the Internet. This virtual conference will include primarily live presentations in the form of webinars. Some pre-recorded presentations may be included. Attendees participate through a Conference Platform designed specifically for the virtual conference. The Platform is where you will watch conference presentations and participate with questions and comments in real-time. Attendees will be able to access various sessions, expand their professional skills, and increase their knowledge base – all from the comfort of their own homes.

Are there benefits to a virtual conference?
Yes! A virtual conference creates an opportunity for more people to participate than ever before.

  • Cost-effectiveness: With a virtual conference, there are no travel, food or lodging costs
  • Flexibility and convenience: There is no travel time lost
  • Continuing Education: You can still earn credits and expand your knowledge
  • Connect with speakers and sponsors - Registrants will be able to participate in live Q&A with presenters and connect with sponsors
  • Connect with your peers - Have you missed colleagues at past conferences? This year it's easy to connect online
  • Sustainable and climate friendly - less travel means fewer emissions improving both air quality and reducing your carbon footprint. No paper materials also means fewer resources used

Can I still submit an abstract and present?
Yes! We are accepting abstracts through June 22 in the same formats we use for in person conferences: panel, individual oral, poster.

How will my presentation be done?
Your presentation will include audio and video and an opportunity for live Q&A with registrants submitted to a session moderator.  Presenters will have advance access to the platform and technical assistance from OPHA staff, member volunteers, and virtual platform staff. 

My organization would like to support the conference as a sponsor. How will that work this year?
Conference sponsorship is essential to making the conference happen no matter the format. Sponsorships also support OPHA's work all year. Our Development Committee is adjusting our sponsor benefits and levels and will be publishing those very soon.

Who should attend?
The conference is open to a wide range of participants that include Public Health Practitioners, Physicians, Administrators, Dental Professionals, Nurses, Educators, Policy Makers, Community Leaders, Researchers, Non-profit Executives & Staff, CCO Executives & Partners, and Students.

What are the technical requirements needed to participate?
To participate, all you need is an internet connection and a viewing device, such as a laptop, desktop computer, tablet, smartphone, or smart television. For the best viewing experience, we recommend that you join the conference using a supported internet browser, which includes Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari.

What happens once I register?
When a virtual attendee registration is complete (paid for) you will receive an email confirming your payment. OPHA is working diligently to prepare for this unique experience and will send you the necessary instructions well in advance.
Note - ONLY those who register will be cleared to use the virtual platform (the company that provides the platform will cross-check registrations with our list). If you don’t register, you cannot access the platform. Make sure that the email address associated with your registration is accurate and up to date so that there is no delay in receiving our communications or logging into the virtual platform.

Can I visit the conference without paying?
Unfortunately, no. We have to use the same registration system as always, and that list will be given to the platform administrators. Only those who are paid registrants will have password-protected access to the platform. You may NOT visit the exhibit hall, upload a video, view videos, upload or view posters, or anything else within the virtual platform without a registration log-in.

Can I share my virtual conference login information with other members of my team?
For every paid registration to attend virtually, only one device (computer, laptop, tablet, phone) will be allowed to enter the virtual conference. The Continuing Education Units/Credits earned, the questions asked, and the polling conducted within that single login session are all tied to the account of the individual that purchased the virtual event.

Can I access and view recordings of any sessions from the conference?
In one word, YES! Similar to our in-person conference, you will be given the opportunity to select which sessions you’d like to attend virtually. It is up to you to decide which sessions interest you in a given time block and to attend those sessions as desired. You may attend as many or as few sessions as you want. We are in the process of determining which conference sessions will be recorded and thus available for viewing 20 minutes after the session ends. The Conference site will remain open and available until approximately one week after the event, so you can view all Virtual Conference sessions at your convenience and continue networking with your peers, partners, and exhibitors.

If I want to watch 2 sessions that are streaming simultaneously, can I go back later and view one of them?
We are in the process of determining which conference sessions will be recorded. The Conference site will remain open and available until approximately one week after the conference, so you can view recorded Virtual Conference sessions at your convenience.

When can I access the platform?
The platform will be open 24 hours a day from approximately one week before the conference through approximately one week after. You can log in, view content, and make comments at any time during that time. You can access at any time during that week, no matter what time zone you are in.

What time does the conference start?
The conference will officially open at 9:00 AM on Monday, October 12. The platform will open earlier for networking and time to check out the exhibit hall.

Are you thinking of organizing a group viewing party?
Joining the virtual conference is more fun with friends…consider bringing your colleagues together to view the conference in one place. Here are some tips for organizing a viewing party:

  • Make sure everyone in the group is registered before the conference.
  • Look for a meeting place that can accommodate the group while observing social distancing guidelines.
  • Post a photo to your favorite Social Media platform of your group using the hashtag #OPHA2020 – you can also post your photos on the Virtual Platform.

What professional credit is available for the Annual Virtual Conference?
Continuing Education Units/Credits will be offered. Specific types and amounts will be provided closer to the date of the conference.

Will I get a certificate of attendance?
If you need one, please contact the OPHA member handling your specific type of continuing education. Details will be on the OPHA website.

How will I be able to connect with other virtual attendees?
The conference platform will be available for you to interact with other attendees, sponsors, and exhibitors via various features – Main Event Feed for posting updates, 1:1 or Group Chat features, during breakout sessions, and more!

Will I be able to ask the speakers questions?
Yes, there will be a chat feature that will allow you to send questions to a moderator.

What about poster sessions?
Poster sessions will also be delivered in a virtual format. In addition to viewing the posters, attendees will have the opportunity to hear first-hand presentations by the authors during the Exhibit Hall/Poster portion of the Conference.

Will there be an exhibit hall?
Yes! The exhibit hall is actually an impressive and interactive function of the platform we are using! Exhibitors in the virtual hall will provide a robust experience for attendees. You’ll be able to view videos and documents at their virtual booths. You can visit each booth, ask questions using the chat feature, and have 1:1 or group meetings using the platform.

ADA Accessibility

ADA accommodation requests should be directed to Jessica Coughlin, at [email protected]. Requests for accommodation should be made at least 2 weeks prior to the event. OPHA will do it's best to accommodate requests made after September 28th, but we cannot guarantee availability of all services.   

Refunds

The deadline to request a refund for conference registration is two weeks before the event: Monday, September 28. No refunds will be allowed after this date.  A 4% cancellation fee will be taken from the refund to cover administrative costs.  Paid registration is required for all attendees prior to participating in the conference.