2025 Keynote Presentations
Tuesday, October 14
Dr. Keshia M. Pollack Porter, PhD, MPH
Improving Public Health and Health Equity Through Health in All Policies
We’re honored to welcome Dr. Keshia Pollack Porter as a keynote presenter at the 81st Annual Conference and Meeting. A leading voice in health equity and policy, Dr. Pollack Porter will speak on the transformative power of Health in All Policies (HiAP) — a collaborative, intersectoral approach that integrates health considerations into decision-making across sectors. Her presentation will outline the core elements of HiAP, examine common barriers to implementation, and highlight effective strategies to advance this work. Attendees will gain practical insights and renewed inspiration to use HiAP as a tool to improve public health and promote equity across Oregon.
Dr. Pollack Porter is an internationally recognized health policy scholar, dynamic leader, and unwavering advocate for health equity, is the 12th dean of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Her research centers on advancing evidence-based policy change that creates safe, healthy, and equitable environments where people live, work, play, and travel. Collaborating across sectors, including housing, education, and transportation, is a focus of Dr. Pollack Porter’s work. She has led numerous federally funded research studies, published more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and reports, and influenced public health practice through leadership roles with the CDC and the National Academies, as well as close collaborations with policymakers to advance health in all policies. She is one of the co-authors of the book, Policy Engagement, a 2023 publication by APHA Press designed to provide practitioners with the tools to engage in the policy process.
Dr. Pollack Porter completed her BA in sociology from Tufts University in 2000, her MPH in chronic disease epidemiology from Yale School of Public Health in 2002, and her PhD in health policy from Johns Hopkins University in 2005. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in evaluation that was jointly sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and in 2006 joined the faculty at the Bloomberg School as the Leon S. Robertson Faculty Development Chair in Injury Prevention. In recognition of her cross-sector work to advance public health and health equity, Dr. Pollack Porter was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2023.
Wednesday, October 15
Dr. Keith Dempsey, PhD, LPC, NCC
Who Heals the Healers? Restoring Wellness in Those Who Serve
We’re honored to welcome Dr. Keith Dempsey as our keynote speaker to address a critical question in public health and community care. In the demanding work of public health and community service, practitioners often prioritize the needs of others while neglecting their own well-being. But who cares for the caregivers?
In this keynote, Dr. Keith Dempsey will explore the deep emotional, mental, and physical toll of serving others—and how to reclaim balance, resilience, and sustainable wellness. Through storytelling, practical strategies, and reflective insight, this session will challenge the notion of self-care as simply a checklist, shifting toward a more holistic approach to personal restoration—mind, body, and soul. Attendees will leave with tools to strengthen their emotional capacity, foster deeper connection, and ensure they are not just surviving but thriving as they continue their critical work in building healthy communities.
Dr. Keith Dempsey is a counselor, educator, and advocate with over 25 years of experience in the helping profession. He earned his PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Oregon State University and made history as the first African American to receive tenure at George Fox University. A sought-after speaker, he has led national presentations on diversity, racial trauma, and the challenges facing Black men. His leadership includes serving as Associate Dean and President of the Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (WACES). Dr. Dempsey’s career spans roles as a therapist, clinical social worker, and program developer focused on addressing mental health disparities. He now leads Keith Dempsey Counseling and Consulting, providing mental health services for individuals, schools, and agencies. His contributions have been recognized with awards such as the Martin Luther King Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award and the Oregon State University Black Achievement Award. He remains committed to fostering equity and ensuring accessible, culturally responsive care.
Questions?
Please contact Program Associate, Heather Daniel, if you have any questions or would like more information.
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