The focus of the conference will be on Healthy Communities:  Social Drivers of Health and Health Systems.  Highlights include a Grassroots Advocacy skills workshop on Thursday afternoon, and an evening viewing or a documentary and discussion of the work of the Remote Area Medical organization that brings medical and dental care to underserved communities across the world and within our own state. The executive director of RAM and Wendell Potter, a member of the RAM Board and director of the Center for Health and Democracy, will be special guests to lead the discussion. 

 On Friday, Dr. Rebecca Fletcher from the Center for Appalachian Studies will present the keynote on drivers of health in rural Tennessee communities. Workshops will explore the power of personal stories in advocacy, the loss of trust in public health and how to restore that, the specifics of the cuts that Congress has made to Medicaid and SNAP, and what is needed to truly transform rural health care systems in our state.

 The closing panel will feature Mandy Spears of the Sycamore Institute, who will summarize how cuts in federal programs will impact Tennessee's state budgeting over the coming years. State Senator Jeff Yarbro and Representative Renea Jones will then discuss how the legislature might approach filling the gaps in health, education, and social spending.  Friday's sessions will be offered both virtually and in person.