Academic Speaker

Linda A. Simons, DAc, R.N.

Dr. Simons is an experienced healthcare practitioner with over 40 years of clinical experience in Eastern and Western
medicine. She is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Maryland University of Integrative Health and has contributed to her field as an outside lecturer, curriculum writer, and consultant. Dr. Simons holds a Doctorate in Acupuncture from the Maryland University of Integrative Health and a Master of Acupuncture degree from the Traditional Acupuncture Institute. Dr. Simons’ expertise, creative approach, and passion for teaching have made her a highly respected figure in her field and a dedicated mentor.

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Guest Speaker

Dr. Gail C. Christopher, D.N., Executive Director
National Collaborative for Health Equity

Dr. Gail C. Christopher is an award-winning social change agent and author with expertise in the social determinants of health and well-being and related public policies. A prolific writer and presenter, Dr. Christopher is the author, co-author, and has contributed to 14 books, hundreds of articles, presentations, publications, and more. She is known for her pioneering work to infuse holistic health and diversity concepts into public sector programs and policy discourse. She retired from her role as Senior Advisor and Vice President at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, where she was the driving force behind the America Healing initiative and the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation effort. In 1996 she was elected as a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. She chaired the Board of the Trust for America’s Health from 2012-2022. In 2019, Dr. Christopher became a Senior Scholar with George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being and became the Executive Director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity. In 2021, she was elected by the APHA Governing Council to serve as the APHA Honorary Vice President for the United States. In 2023, the American Journal of Health Promotion honored Dr. Christopher as one of the 10 Most Influential Women Scholars in Health Promotion.