Is it possible to create a healthcare system where health equity—loosely defined as the attainment of good health for all--is embedded into all aspects of care? Unequivocally, yes, says Dr. Stella Safo. In this keynote, the HIV primary care physician, public health practitioner and founder of Just Equity for Health shares how health inequities impact patient care and an organization's mission. Why is health equity, with its current diversity, equity and inclusion focus, bound to fail in corporate and healthcare settings if it does not include patients at the design table, she asks? Using examples of gender and racial equity, Dr. Safo explores how we can move from theoretical discussions of implementing equitable care to actual, real-world experiences that positively impact patient lives.

Infectious diseases in the form of epidemics and pandemics may be the new normal as our world changes. Rather than fearing them, there are lessons from communicable diseases management that may inform how healthcare is designed for chronic diseases and acute care delivery. Drawing from the lessons of COVID-19 and Mpox (formerly monkeypox) and rooted in her work as an HIV clinician and advocate, Dr. Stella Safo shares some lessons we can glean from HIV/AIDS for improved healthcare design, including how to co-design healthcare with impacted communities; how to allow the lived experience of marginalized groups shape health delivery legislation; and methods to prevent healthcare worker burnout through advocacy and system changes.

The impact of climate change and environmental pollutants on health is lasting and affects historically marginalized communities in particular. Using a health equity lens, HIV Primary Care Physician, Public Health Practitioner and Founder of Just Equity for Health Dr. Stella Safo explores how climate change and environmental pollutants reflect the systemic disinvestments in the health of populations by race, geography and class. Dr. Safo will use lived experience and real-world cases to examine how community and healthcare worker advocacy can address the inequitable impact of climate change on health. This keynote will provide a health justice framework that empowers listeners to engage in the root-cause analysis work needed to collectively slow the differential impact of climate change on the health of communities.

Healthcare workers and public health practitioners are facing burnout in record numbers, leading to scarcity in the healthcare and public health workforce. Causes for burnout include years of disempowerment, the corporatization of healthcare, distrust in public health services and a growing administrative burden not supported by adequate reimbursement models. Without a robust healthcare and public health workforce, the health of our communities, especially for those who have been historically marginalized, will worsen. Yet, it does not need to be the path forward, as giving healthcare and public health practitioners tools for advocacy is one way to maintain their investment in care. In this keynote, Dr. Stella Safo, HIV primary care physician, public health practitioner and founder of Just Equity for Health, discusses how civic engagement can decrease burnout and return healthcare and public health practitioners to what matters the most — helping the sick and safeguarding the public's health. She'll offer evidence-based and lived-experience examples of how civic engagement can be rolled out in health spaces, including nonpartisan voter engagement activities and letter-writing to elected officials.

Corporations that have cultures of diversity, equity and inclusion are thriving. When everyone is included and all voices are heard, there are higher rates of engagement, productivity and innovation. And yet, many companies have never gone past the talking stage when it comes to implementing DEI programs that result in appreciable improvements. Using examples of gender and racial equity, Dr. Stella Safo, HIV primary care physician, public health practitioner and founder of Just Equity for Health, explores how we can move from theoretical discussions to implementing antiracism and gender equity-based programs and operations. Doing so, Dr. Safo says, will improve employee engagement and strengthen long-term retention. 

Sharing her own story of growing up poor in West Africa to receiving her undergraduate, medical and public health degrees from Harvard University and establishing her own healthcare improvement company, Dr. Stella Safo discusses how individuals' stories and lived experiences can galvanize leaders, organizations and elected officials to make changes that improve healthcare for all. She'll cover how her work for civic engagement in healthcare is organizing public health and healthcare workers to take a more active role in addressing the social determinants of health issues that negatively impact their patients' overall health and well-being. Dr. Safo will also draw lessons from her work advocating for policy change in the New York City and state legislatures to protect women and minority healthcare workers from workplace discrimination. This talk can be tailored to students, medical trainees, junior healthcare and public health workers interested in learning how the power of their voices and advocacy can help change the world.