The conference will examine ongoing efforts to improve both the delivery of healthcare and health-related social factors like access to healthy foods. (Getty Image)
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Indiana University Kelley School of Business is hosting a conference on Dec. 1 focusing on widespread inequities in health and wellness among different populations and ongoing efforts in the state to address them.
Dr. Paul K. Halverson, founding dean of the Fairbanks School of Public Health at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, who has served as senior health advisor for the state health commissioners as well as the governor’s office, will open the conference as keynote speaker.
The conference, “Closing the Gap of Health Inequalities,” will take place at Roche Diagnostics, 9115 Hague Rd, on the northeast side of Indianapolis. It is part of the Indiana Life Sciences Collaboration Series, presented by the Kelley School’s Center for the Business of Life Sciences.
“Addressing the persistent disparities in health and wellness is an issue that can’t be ignored. While the healthcare cost implications are significant, the societal and economic implications are even more so,” said George Telthorst, the center’s director.
“This conference will examine ongoing efforts to improve both the delivery of healthcare and health-related social factors like access to healthy foods, access to transportation and safe neighborhoods, which influence health outcomes.”
Paul Halverson
Halverson will present the conference’s opening keynote, “Defining Health Inequities,” at 9:15 am.
Other presenters will include Paige Bingham, director of Close the Gap, a health equity initiative supported by Boston Scientific; Ariana McGee, founder and CEO of Navigate Maternity, a Fort Wayne-based company that produces a wearable intuitive monitoring system that collects data and notifies providers when there are significant or alarming patient changes, and Holly Wood, senior director of Purdue University’s Equity Health Initiative.
Participating on a panel discussion about provider perspective and initiatives will be Edmond Davis, senior director for health equity at Zimmer Biomet; Dr. Brownsyne Tucker Edmonds, associate professor of obstetrics & gynecology and associate dean for health equity research at the IU School of Medicine and vice president and chief health equity officer at IU Health; and Tedd Grain, vice president of social determinants of health at Eskenazi Health Foundation and Eskenazi Health. Marsha Weiner, director, project management office at Boston Scientific, will moderate.
A second panel looking at the payer’s perspective will feature Antoniette Holt, division director of the Office of Minority Health at the Indiana Department of Health; Darryl Lockett, health equity director at Anthem Indiana Medicaid; Andy Vetor, president of benefits consulting and chief growth officer at MJ Insurance. Jenn Kowalski, vice president of the Public Policy Institute at Elevance Health, will moderate.
Halverson joined the Fairbanks School of Public Health in 2013 as the first dean of a newly established school. The school was created in September 2012 through a $20 million endowment from the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation and a $1 million feasibility study from Eli Lilly and Company. In his role, he has served as a senior health advisor for the state health commissioners as well as the governor’s office, and led the Indiana Health Systems Review, which led to a role in the Governor’s Public Health Commission. In addition, Halverson led the creation of an academic health department within the Marion County Public Health Department, led by Dr. Virginia Caine.
He recently was appointed as dean and professor at the School of Public Health at the Oregon Health & Science University and Portland State University, and this conference will be one of his last public appearances in Indiana. Earlier this month, he was awarded one of the highest distinctions in the state of Indiana, the Sagamore of the Wabash. The award is the highest bestowed by the governor of Indiana and is a personal tribute given to those who have rendered distinguished service to the state.
The Center for the Business of Life Sciences brings together key players from industry, academia, government, and economic development communities to share ideas and expertise. It drives the Kelley School’s life sciences agenda and provides connections to its outreach and research activity and its academic programs.
This is the first event in the 2023-24 conference series. Here is the schedule for the remaining events:
- Feb 16, 2024, at Ice Miller LLP in Indianapolis – “Industry Impact of the Inflation Reduction Act.” Various stakeholders from across the industry will share their perspectives on the law’s current and future effects on healthcare plans, product portfolios and patient choices and costs.
- April 19, 2024, at the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute in 16 Tech Innovation District in Indianapolis – “Tech: Don’t Be Afraid of Healthcare!” Close observers and “those in the trenches” will provide analysis of Big Tech companies like Microsoft and Alphabet and their attempts to expand into healthcare.
The registration fee is $450 for the series or $175 for individual conference and lunch is included. Registration can be done online or by contacting Kelli Conder at the Kelley School at 812-856-0915 or kconder@indiana.edu. Full-time students an at accredited Indiana institution of higher learning may qualify for a student discount. Contact Conder for more information.
Series sponsors are Commissioning Agents, Inc., Elevance Health, Lilly, LabCorp and Reckitt Benckiser. Primary sponsors are AbbVie, Boston Scientific, Catalent, Cook, Crowe, Deloitte, Fort Wayne Metals, hc1, Indiana BioSciences Research Institute, Ice Miller, the Indiana Clinical and Transitional Sciences Institute, Paragon Medical, Roche, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP and Zimmer Biomet as well as supporting sponsors Blueprint Marketing, Indiana Health Information Exchange, Miles Printing, Roche and Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP.
Marketing sponsors are the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation, Indiana Health Information Exchange, IU Office of University Relations, and Linking Pharma Women.