2026
FLORIDA VOICES FOR HEALTH
SUMMIT
Centering Community in an Era of Change
MAY 5 & 6
Lake Mary Events Center
260 N Country Club Road, Lake Mary, Florida 32746
ABOUT
Our annual health policy and advocacy conference is a great opportunity to learn about Florida's health landscape and connect with participants from a cross section of health care including advocates, health care providers, policy makers, and community members.
This year's Summit will focus on better understanding the rapidly changing health care landscape and strengthening our collective ability to advocate.
SPEAKERS
Keynote Speaker:
Dr. Jamila Michener
Jamila Michener is an Associate professor in the department of Government at Cornell University. Her research focuses on poverty, racial inequality and public policy in the United States.
Her book, Fragmented Democracy: Medicaid, Federalism and Unequal Politics, examines how Medicaid--the nation’s public health insurance program for people with low income--affects democratic citizenship.
Unpacking how federalism transforms Medicaid beneficiaries’ interpretations of government and structures their participation in politics, Fragmented Democracy assesses American political life from the vantage point(s) of those who are living in or near poverty.
SCHEDULE
DAY 1 - Wednesday, May 7
08:00
Networking Breakfast &
Conference Welcome
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09:15
Panel Discussion
2025 Florida Legislative Session Debrief: Impacts on Health Policy and Beyond
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10:50
Panel Discussion
View From the Hill: Health Policy at the Federal Level
Join us for a comprehensive debrief of Florida’s most recent legislative session and a high-level analysis of federal health policy actions over the past year. Panelists will unpack key legislative changes, explore the political dynamics that shaped them, and highlight emerging trends in the health policy landscape. We’ll close with expert forecasts for 2026 and beyond, including what stakeholders across the health system should be watching next. Panelists: • Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani, FL State District 42 • Sophia Tripoli, Senior Director of Health Policy, Families USA • Ron Watson, Founder & Lobbyist, Watson Strategies
12:10
Networking Lunch
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12:45
Keynote Speaker
Address by Dr. Jamila Michener, MA, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Government, Cornell University
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1:45
Panel Discussion
Advancing Oral Health in Florida: Best Practices for Systems Change
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3:00
Panel Discussion
Rural Realities: Overcoming Barriers to Health Care Access in Florida’s Underserved Communities
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4:00
Happy Hour!
Drinks included with ticket purchase
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DAY 2 - Thursday,May 8
08:00
Networking Breakfast &
Day 2 Welcome
09:00
Panel Discussion
From Your Backyard to DC: How to Launch a Campaign and Build Coalitions
10:05
Presentations and Discussion
Attorney Office Hours: Lobbying Limits 101 and the Power of Legal Advocacy
11:45
Networking Lunch
12:30
Panel Discussion
Bridging the Divide: Effective Health Care Messaging for Conservative Audiences
1:45
Closing Session
Conference takeaways.
02:00
Conference Ends
ACCOMMODATIONS
A block of rooms are reserved at La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Orlando Lake Mary. The group rate ($94) is available until April 14th.
INFO
PARKING
Free parking is available on location at the Lake Mary Event Center.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Masking will be optional. Temperature checks and COVID tests will be available on-site.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Florida Voices for Health is delighted to announce there are a limited number of scholarships are available for our 2025 FVH Summit.
