2025 Sommer Klag Advocacy Impact Awards Lightning Pitch Competition

Description

Join the Lerner Center for Public Health Advocacy virtually for the 2025 Sommer Klag Advocacy Impact Awards Lightning Pitch Competition.

The livestreamed competition features five Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health faculty members who will each have seven minutes to pitch their plans for shifting policy through advocacy in their area of expertise.

There will also be special remarks from Bloomberg School Dean Emeritus Al Sommer, Lerner Center director Shelley Hearne, and the inaugural Sommer Klag Advocacy Impact Award winners, Nadia Akseer and Cass Crifasi.

The two Advocacy Impact Award winners will be determined by an all-star Bloomberg School judging panel—and you, the audience.

Finalists:

• Harry Barbee, assistant professor, Department of Health, Behavior, and Society: "From Evidence to Action: Building a Future for LGBTQ+ Health"
• Rebecca Critser, assistant practice professor, Department of Environmental Health & Engineering: "States as Leaders in Public Health Innovation: Advocacy for the Adoption of a State Model Law to Enhance Animal Welfare and Promote New Approach Methodologies"
• Katie Nelson, assistant scientist, Department of International Health (Social and Behavioral Interventions): "Time for Paws-itive Change: Addressing Dog-related Policy Challenges on the Navajo Nation"
• Mariana Socal, associate professor, Department of Health Policy and Management: "Protecting the U.S. Pharmaceutical Supply through Data and Evidence"
• Rose Weeks, senior research associate, Department of International Health: "Protecting Children's Health: Ensuring Vaccine Access through Advocacy"