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Mobilizing Civic Engagement to Advance Community Health
October 22 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Civic engagement is a powerful catalyst for advancing health equity and creating responsive public policy. Join us October 22, 2025 from 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET for a compelling ASPPH Presents webinar examining how community-driven participation is transforming public health efforts in the Kansas–Missouri region and beyond.
The discussion will explore how civic engagement drives equitable public health policy, drawing insights from community-led initiatives in the Kansas and Missouri region. Panelists will examine the role of public health institutions in fostering democratic participation and highlight opportunities for partnership, advocacy, and regional convenings that advance community health and equity.
MODERATOR
Tim Leshan, MPA, ASPPH’s Chief External Relations and Advocacy Officer, leads the organizations public affairs and advocacy efforts. With a strong policy and government affairs background, Tim also leads ASPPH’s Research Section, which convenes senior staff responsible for research compliance, administration, and investment strategies across our member institutions.
PANELISTS
Dr. Elizabeth Ablah, PhD, MPH, CPH, a Professor and Vice Chair in Population Health at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, brings deep expertise in community health assessment and advocacy, offering valuable academic insight into civic engagement strategies in the region and highlighting the role of educational institutions in driving local advocacy and leadership.
McClain Bryant Macklin, MBA, JD, is the Chief Policy and Impact Officer at the Health Forward Foundation and is a member of the Network for Public Health Law’s National Advisory Board. She will share insights from her work leading civic engagement strategies rooted in equity and community empowerment. Her perspective bridges philanthropy, policy, and grassroots mobilization to support healthier, more resilient communities.
Dr. Christina M. Pacheco, JD, MPH, is an Assistant Professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, KS. Her work focuses on health equity, civic empowerment, and community-based research with Indigenous and Latino populations. She uses her legal and public health expertise to explore how academic institutions can advance civic engagement through policy, education, and partnership.