04.17.2025 • Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center

—

The Alliance for a Healthier South Carolina is excited to announce the 7th Annual South Carolina Health Equity Summit, themed “Bridge, Build, Breakthrough: Advancing Health Equity Together.” This summit aims to bring together professionals, practitioners, researchers, and advocates committed to advancing health equity in South Carolina.

Program

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The Health Equity Champion Pledge is about taking action to eliminate equity-driven health disparities across South Carolina.

Take the Pledge Today!

Call for Presenters

This summit aims to bring together professionals, practitioners, researchers, and advocates committed to advancing health equity in South Carolina. We invite dynamic individuals to contribute their expertise, insights, and innovative solutions to foster a healthier and more equitable South Carolina.

Submit by Friday, December 6, 2024.

Learn More

Call for Presentations

KEY TRACKS

Bridge:

We seek initiatives that connect diverse communities, stakeholders, and resources, forming strong partnerships that address gaps in health access and equity. Proposals should focus on fostering collaboration to bridge divides and ensure that everyone has a voice in the conversation.

Build:

We encourage submissions that offer innovative strategies, education, and collective action aimed at building resilient communities. These proposals should demonstrate how sustainable solutions can be developed to empower individuals and organizations in taking control of their health and well-being, particularly in underserved areas.

Breakthrough:

We are looking for breakthrough ideas and promising practices that can transform the landscape of health equity. Proposals should focus on leveraging collective strengths and insights to overcome the barriers preventing equitable health outcomes, ultimately leading to a healthier, more inclusive future for all.

Call for Nominations

The awards will celebrate and honor individuals, institutions, or initiatives that have made significant strides in reducing disparities in healthcare access, outcomes, and overall well-being. It underscores the importance of achieving equitable health outcomes for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, age, or other factors.

Nomination Deadline: Friday, January 3, 2025
Questions? Email alliance@healthiersc.org

Learn More

Call for Nominations

AWARDS CATEGORIES

The Health Equity Circle of Champions Award (For Individuals)
The Health Equity Circle of Champions Award is a distinguished recognition that honors and celebrates individuals who serve as beacons of inspiration in the pursuit of health equity. Recipients of this award have exhibited exceptional leadership qualities, driving positive change, fostering inclusivity, and contributing to the development of innovative solutions that address the root causes of health disparities. By recognizing and highlighting their achievements, the award aims to inspire others to follow in their footsteps, creating a ripple effect that advances the collective mission of achieving health equity for all.

The Vince Ford Health Equity Award (For Organizations)
The Vince Ford Health Equity Award is a distinguished recognition presented to state and local organizations that have demonstrated outstanding commitment and innovation in advancing health equity. This award celebrates entities that have implemented groundbreaking initiatives, programs, or strategies to address health disparities. Award recipients serve as inspiration for how creativity and collaboration can be utilized to address systemic challenges and promote equitable health for all.

Introducing our Keynote Speaker

Being the Bridge:
How to Build Collaboration to Create Breakthrough Innovation for SC

Kari-Claudia Allen Harrington, M.D., Prisma Health

Dr. Kari-Claudia Allen Harrington is a board-certified family medicine physician, motivational coach, speaker, author and community activist.

She attended the historically Black university, North Carolina Central University in Durham, and obtained her doctor of medicine and master degree in public health at Boston University School of Medicine in 2013. She completed her residency training at the USC SOM family medicine residency program, where she is now on faculty.

Her special interests include delivering babies and medical education, and she often lectures on race and medicine. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, is married to her wonderful husband, Jay, and is mother to two brilliant infants, Claudia and Jeremiah.

Meet our Speakers

BREAKOUT SESSIONS #1

A. Get Your House in Order: Preparing for Your Care Before You Need It

Marisette Hasan is a 1981 graduate from the University of South Carolina with Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. She serves as Program Coordinator for The SC Coalition for the Care of the Seriously Ill. CSI (www.mylifemychoices.org) provides education for clinicians, SC citizens and organizational stakeholders re the benefits of POST, advance care planning conversations and how to execute their Advance Directives. Marisette serves as Chair for the Alliance for a Healthier SC. Marisette is a proud recipient of the 2024 SC Palmetto Gold Nursing Award which honors nurses that exemplify excellence in nursing practice.

B. Lessons Learned: Amplifying Voices & Building Trust Through Community Advisory Boards

Jody Teel holds a DrPH in Epidemiology and Biostatistics and an MPH in community health. The blend of all three of these specialties has added great benefit to my work, specifically being able to understand and utilize evidence practices, contextualize theory and frameworks, design and implementation rigorous evaluation and methods, and understand the direct community level implications of translational research. As a community health researcher and program evaluator, her work is grounded in lenses of social justice and lived experience.

B. Lessons Learned: Amplifying Voices & Building Trust Through Community Advisory Boards

Vanessa Rodriguez is a passionate communicator, committed to sharing hope as well as connecting people and resources in a mutually beneficial direction. Since 2020, served both Hispanic Alliance and LiveWell Greenville as the Community Action Coordinator. She has over twenty years of communications and public relationships experience in governmental agencies, corporations, and nonprofit organizations in Puerto Rico. She coordinates efforts of multiple health and research institutions and uses the existing network of bi-cultural community health workers and professionals to survey the health behaviors and needs of Hispanic residents, returning vital information to participants and researchers at the same time.

B. Lessons Learned: Amplifying Voices & Building Trust Through Community Advisory Boards

Rosa Gonzalez has worked in social work for 48 years, specializing in family counseling, addiction counseling, marriage and individual therapy, and domestic violence cases. She also supports clients with depression, anxiety, and prolonged grief disorders, serving diverse cultural and social backgrounds.
She is an in-house mental health therapist at Unity Health on Main, licensed as an L.M.S.W. in South Carolina. She is a Clinically Certified Criminal Justice Addiction Specialist in domestic violence, a trauma-focused CBT therapist, and a Master Trainer for ACEs. A sought-after speaker, she addresses parenting, marriage, education, healthcare, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and Hispanic cultural issues.

C. Advancing Health Equity for Latinos: Practical Data, Tools, & Insights for Professionals

Patrick Garcia is the Executive Director of EMBRACE ALL LATINO VOICES, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Latino communities through health equity, social navigation, and cultural recognition. With over a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership and community advocacy, Patrick has spearheaded programs addressing social determinants of health, multilingual accessibility, and grassroots capacity-building. His work bridges diverse communities, fostering collaboration and systemic change. A passionate advocate for equity, Patrick has collaborated with local and national organizations to ensure underserved populations have access to resources, education, and support that promote well-being and inclusion.

D. Doctoring Disparities: Closing Gaps in Maternal & Infant Health

Dr. Guille is the founder and director of the Women's Reproductive Behavioral Health Division at the Medical University of South Carolina. This division provides integrated mental health and substance use disorder treatment to pregnant and postpartum women in obstetric and pediatric settings, affords clinical and clinical research training in Reproductive Psychiatry and conducts clinical research that aims to improve the identification and treatment of peripartum mental health and substance use disorders. She receives research support through public and private sources to develop treatments to improve women's health. She has published widely on topics including women’s health, stress, and depression.

D. Doctoring Disparities: Closing Gaps in Maternal & Infant Health

Dr. Jimmell Felder is a board-certified pediatrician and obesity medicine specialist who resides in Greenwood, South Carolina.
She has dedicated her career to the health of children across the upstate of South Carolina. She currently leads the Health Equity Advisory Taskforce (HEAT) at Self Regional Healthcare. This physician task force works on initiatives to help mitigate health disparities in our seven county service area. She also is a medical director at a managed care organization as well as owns her own weight management practice, New Creation Wellness, LLC.
She is married and has two sons.

LUNCHEON & INTERACTIVE PANEL DISCUSSION

Building a Healthier South Carolina: Collaboration for Equity & Impact

Anthony Jackson is the Market CEO for the Prisma Health-Midlands and the Vice President of External Affairs, Accountable Communities and Community Relations. He has 30+ years of successful leadership in the health care industry, including building, mentoring and empowering strong, competent teams who care for patients while promoting health equity awareness. Before joining Prisma Health, he served as the Senior VP and Chief Operating Officer at Roper St. Francis Healthcare System.
Jackson received the Columbia Urban League’s President’s Award for his commitment to community service and the “Key to the City of Fairfield Alabama” in recognition of his work in schools and focus on community health.

Building a Healthier South Carolina: Collaboration for Equity & Impact

Dr. Ron Gimbel is a Professor of Public Health Sciences & Director, Clemson Rural Health at Clemson University. He is a former health administrator who transitioned into academia later in his career. He previously served as faculty in the School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Gimbel arrived in South Carolina in 2014 where he served as Chair, Department of Public Health Sciences. In 2020 he co-founded and continues to lead Clemson Rural Health, demonstrating Clemson University’s commitment to improving access to care and health outcomes in underserved and rural communities.

Building a Healthier South Carolina: Collaboration for Equity & Impact

Tricia Richardson, CEO of SC Thrive, is a dedicated leader with 30+ years of experience in relationship building, fostering community engagement, and capacity building. She successfully networks and connects with diverse organizations, building long-term relationships and shaping stable, healthy communities. Tricia’s commitment to collaboration and her proactive approach have been instrumental in the development of partnerships that contribute to the economic and social stability of South Carolina. She is a certified trainer and facilitator with expertise in nonprofit leadership. She has served on multiple advisory boards, including SC BUILD and the Alliance for a Healthier SC.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS #2

E. From Bedside to Community: Tackling Health Disparities Together

Juana Slade is Director of Language Services and Collaborative Care with AnMed, one of the first acute care health systems in South Carolina to dedicate full-time resources to strategic diversity management.
Under her leadership AnMed developed an integrated diversity, inclusion, and health equity framework to support the organization's increasingly diverse patient population and workforce. AnMed’s transformative work in cultural and linguistic competence has been recognized by the US Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights; the South Carolina Hospital Association; the American Hospital Association’s Institute for Diversity in Health Equity (IFDHE); and South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation.

E. From Bedside to Community: Tackling Health Disparities Together

Dr. Michael Seemuller, Chief Quality Officer with AnMed, has 20 years of clinical experience as a Family Medicine Physician and 15 years’ experience in Quality Leadership. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and has also earned his Certified Physician Executive Degree. AnMed has been recognized nationally for their approach to Health Equity. Dr. Seemuller spearheaded the effort to identify disparate health outcomes in the AnMed community by race-stratifying quality outcomes. These results led to the inclusion of Health Equity as a key component in AnMed’s 2024 strategic plan.

E. From Bedside to Community: Tackling Health Disparities Together

Dr. Zakevia Lewis-Kendrick, a graduate of Argosy University with a Doctorate in Pastoral Community Counseling and Counseling Psychology, holds an MSW from the University of South Carolina and a BSW from Limestone College. A Human Services Board-Certified Practitioner, Certified Life Coach, Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Associate, and Certified Adoption Investigator, she brings over 17 years of experience as an educator, counselor, and therapist. Passionate about holistic well-being, she empowers individuals, families, and communities to thrive spiritually, mentally, and physically. Specializing in family therapy and individual counseling, she helps clients navigate challenges, strengthen relationships, and build skills for healthy, fulfilling lives.

F. Building Resilient Communities: Empowering Individuals and Organizations to Thrive While Prioritizing Well-Being

Jakob Schweiger is the founder of BrightPath Consulting, specializing in operational process improvement, leadership development, and CliftonStrengths coaching.
With over 15 years of project management experience and 5 years in HR and leadership development, Jakob has a passion for helping individuals and teams unlock their potential and build resilient cultures of trust and collaboration. In a previous role, he also supported the successful launch of the 988 suicide hotline for Mental Health America of Greenville County. Jakob’s strengths-based approach empowers leaders and individuals to navigate challenges with clarity and confidence, making a lasting impact on their organizations and communities.

G. Advocating for Equity: Supporting Children & Families Through Policy & Community Action

Cynthia Haigler is a Literacy Specialist with the SC Department of Education, where she has been instrumental in developing and implementing strategic literacy initiatives since 2018. She has extensive experience coaching educators, leading professional development, and fostering continuous improvement through data analysis and evidence-based practices. Previously, she served as a Reading Coach in Richland Two School District, supporting at-risk learners and designing intervention programs. With a Master's in Divergent Learning and an Education Specialist degree in Elementary School Administration, she is also an ACEs Trainer and LETRS Facilitator, passionate about advancing equity in education through comprehensive support and professional growth.

G. Advocating for Equity: Supporting Children & Families Through Policy & Community Action

In her role as Palmetto Engagement and Policy Director, Deborah informs ICS’s policy and research portfolio, thereby boosting our direct family engagement. She also leads the mission of our South Carolina Early Childhood Common Agenda work and other policy initiatives.
Deborah brings a wealth of experience to this position. As the former South Carolina State Manager for Save the Children Action Network, she equipped grassroots advocates across the state. She also worked with South Carolina First Steps, coaching 4K teachers. Previously, she developed a dual-language program in Richland County and supported migrant families in California.

G. Advocating for Equity: Supporting Children & Families Through Policy & Community Action

Citlaly Rojo, from Columbia, South Carolina, holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of South Carolina. She serves as Legislative Associate at the Institute for Child Success, helping organize the South Carolina Early Childhood Common Agenda—a coalition focused on improving outcomes for young children and families. Passionate about advocating for policies supporting early childhood development and underserved communities, Citlaly engages with policymakers and staff to advance legislative efforts. Her work aims to create lasting, positive change for South Carolina’s children by enhancing access to essential resources and fostering supportive policies.

H. Pathways to Equity: Linking Statewide Efforts & Grassroots Initiatives

Julie Smithwick was trained as a Community Health Worker in Ecuador in the late 90s after getting her BA in International Studies and Spanish at the University of Georgia, then went on to get her MSW at the University of South Carolina. In 2005 she founded PASOs and led the expansion statewide of the CHW organization as it executive director for 14 years. In 2019, Julie founded and now leads the Center for Community Health Alignment (CCHA) at The University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health which serves as the administrative home for the SDOH Roadmap project. CCHA is dedicated to workforce development of community health workers and other community leaders, and helping organizations better partner with communities through aligned strategies and resources.

H. Pathways to Equity: Linking Statewide Efforts & Grassroots Initiatives

Paris Mebane is a public health professional with extensive expertise in maternal and child health, rural health, and project management. She has been instrumental in designing and implementing community health initiatives that address disparities and advance health equity. Paris is passionate about leveraging data, strategic partnerships, and community insights to drive sustainable change. Her collaborative efforts have led to culturally responsive programs that improve outcomes in maternal and child health, food security, and chronic disease prevention. An alumna of Coastal Carolina University and Clemson University, Paris enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends in her spare time.

H. Pathways to Equity: Linking Statewide Efforts & Grassroots Initiatives

Regina L. Nesmith-Dimery, is a dedicated Community Engagement Manager for the SC Department of Public Health-Pee Dee Region. With over 30 years of experience in health education, she has led numerous programs, including Williamsburg County ROADS and Project IDEAS. Regina holds a Master’s in Nutritional Sciences and a Bachelor’s in Chemistry Education from South Carolina State University. She has pursued further coursework at Coastal Carolina, Penn State, and the University of South Carolina. Regina’s leadership extends to multiple coalitions and boards, earning her prestigious awards such as the Lucinda Thomas Award for Excellence in Health Education.