Join us this September 24–25 for the 2026 Health Summit: Advancing Health in A New Era, a statewide convening dedicated to bold ideas, cross-sector collaboration, and community-driven solutions to improve health across Louisiana.
This year's Summit will bring together healthcare providers, public health professionals, hospitals, youth leaders, policymakers, researchers, educators, advocates, attorneys, philanthropic partners, and community organizations to explore the structural, political, environmental, economic, and technological forces shaping health today.
Sessions will focus on youth leadership, mental and behavioral health, chronic disease, maternal health, artificial intelligence, digital innovation, and strategies to advance the LA40by2030 initiative.
Opening Keynote
The Louisiana Center for Health Equity is honored to welcome Daniel E. Dawes, JD, one of the nation's leading voices on health equity, as the opening keynote speaker.
Dr. Dawes will deliver "Forces That Shape Health Equity," an inspiring keynote that examines how public policy, systems, and social conditions influence health outcomes and what leaders across sectors can do to create healthier, more equitable communities. A nationally recognized healthcare and public health scholar, health policy expert, educator, researcher, and author, Dawes serves as the founding dean
of the School of Global Health at Meharry Medical College, the first and only School of Global Health in the United States.
Program Schedule
The two-day program features keynote presentations, plenary sessions, panel discussions, youth-led conversations, networking opportunities, continuing education sessions, and interactive workshops designed to equip attendees with practical strategies to advance health throughout Louisiana. View the program schedule and discover the sessions and activities planned for this year's Summit. Click here to download the full event schedule.
Register today and join leaders from across Louisiana as we work together to build a healthier future for all.
2026 Health Summit Creative Showcase and Poster Presentations
This year's health summit will feature a creative showcase designed to highlight artists, poets, and scientists and other creatives, all of whom shared a collective commitment to the promotion of health equity and the eliminates of health disparities across Louisiana and beyond. These high school and college students are invited to submit artwork, photographs, poetry, and data visualizations that represent their visions for improved health outcomes. In direct response to Louisiana's usual ranking among the last in the nation in health outcomes, this exhibit aims to recognize, reimagine, and inspire alternative possibilities for health and resilience in Louisiana.
The Health Equity Poster Session at the 2026 Louisiana Center for Health Equity's Annual Health Summit will feature college students from across Louisiana to present their innovative research, interventions, and policies aimed at reducing health disparities and promoting equitable healthcare for all populations. This session will offer a unique platform to showcase work that addresses pressing issues in Chronic Disease, Community Safety, Maternal and Child Health, or Behavioral Health. By highlighting diverse approaches to tackling these challenges, the session will foster collaboration and inspire meaningful discussions among participants, ultimately contributing to the development of effective strategies that improve health outcomes for underserved and marginalized communities.
Pre-Summit Job Fair
LCHE is also planning a Pre-Summit Job Fair on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, ahead of the 2026 Health Summit. The Job Fair will connect students, young adults, emerging professionals, and community members with employers, healthcare organizations, public health agencies, nonprofit organizations, government partners, universities, and workforce development resources.
This event is intended to support career exploration, workforce development, and economic opportunity while connecting participants to organizations working to improve health and quality of life across Louisiana.
Health Summit Ambassadorship Program
The 2026 Health Summit will intentionally create opportunities for young adults, students, and emerging leaders to help promote, shape, and support the Summit. Through the Health Summit Ambassadorship Program, ambassadors will assist with campus and community outreach, peer-to-peer promotion, social media engagement, registration sharing, and other efforts to increase visibility and participation.
This program is designed to uplift young leaders by providing meaningful leadership experience, opportunities for civic engagement, professional development, and recognition for their role in advancing health equity in Louisiana.
Partnership and Sponsorship Opportunities
Our 11th Annual Health Summit brings together healthcare providers, youth leaders, public health professionals, researchers, policymakers, and community advocates to advance health equity and improve health outcomes across Louisiana. Your partnership helps make this work possible by supporting educational programming, cross-sector collaboration, and the LA40by2030 initiative.
Benefits of Partnering
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Brand Visibility through event recognition, promotional materials, website, and social media.
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Networking Opportunities with healthcare leaders, policymakers, educators, researchers, and community organizations from across the state.
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Direct Community Engagement through exhibit and community resource tables where organizations can share programs, services, and resources.
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Community Impact by helping expand access to high-quality educational programming, youth leadership development, and cross-sector collaboration.
Sponsorship opportunities begin at $5,000, with additional levels available. Exhibit Tables and Community Resource Tables are also available for organizations seeking to showcase their services and resources.
Join us in advancing healthier communities and creating lasting impact across Louisiana.
For sponsorship information, exhibit opportunities, or to reserve a community resource table, please email alma@lahealthequity.org
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