New York Health & Wellness Summit

Registration & Networking Breakfast

Opening Keynote by Dr. Oxiris Barbot, Acting Commissioner, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Investing in Primary Care for All

Primary care services in New York and across the country are reaching a crisis point as fewer doctors are practicing these general services and rising medical costs are making primary care centers untenable. Lack of access to quality primary care can result in negative health outcomes and lead to more intensive and expensive clinical care. How can policymakers and community health providers work together to invest in access to adequate primary care for all New Yorkers?

• Dan Goldberg, Health Reporter, Politico (moderator)
• Assembly Member Richard Gottfried, Chair, Assembly Health Committee
• Sonia Angell, Deputy Commissioner, Prevention & Primary Care, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
• Theodore G Long, MD, MHS, Vice President for Primary Care, New York City Health + Hospitals
• Dr. Ramon Tallaj, Chairman, SOMOS Community Care 
• John D. Bennett, President and Chief Executive Officer, Capital District Physicians’ Health Plan, Inc.
• Louise Cohen, Chief Executive Officer, Primary Care Development Corporation

Building Community Partnerships to Address Health and Well-being

There are many complex economic and social factors that can explain the health disparities in New York communities, particularly those serving low-income and/or vulnerable populations. What are the potential benefits of better collaboration between community-based organizations and larger health care providers sharing their expertise, knowledge and networks to produce healthier communities? Our panel of experts will discuss best practices for successful partnerships between health care and community-based organizations to improve health equity for all New Yorkers.

• Zach Williams, Reporter, City & State (moderator)
• Lorelei Vargas, Deputy  Commissioner, Child and Family Well-Being, NYC Administration for Children’s Services
• Javier Lopez, Assistant Commissioner, Center for Health Equity, NYC Dept. of Health
• Sharon Greenberger, President & CEO, YMCA of Greater New York

Lunch & Awards

Access to Physical Activity for all New York Communities

Regular physical activity in from youth to adulthood to old age is important for promoting lifelong health and well-being and preventing various health conditions. However, the lack of personnel and space has caused schools to fail to meet the minimum physical education standards mandated by NYSED. What are policymakers doing to ensure access to the beneficial health impact of sports, fitness and physical activity in the daily lives of all New Yorkers?

• Sakara Bey, Program Director, WorkWell NYC, Office of Labor Relations (moderator)
• Senator Gustavo Rivera, Ranking Member, Health Committee
• Laudrey Lamadieu, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, New York City Department for the Aging
• Council Member Barry Grodenchik, Chair, Committee on Parks and Recreation
• Chrissy Odalen, Senior Director of Youth & Community Programs, New York Road Runners