2015 Conference

Conference Overview

The fourth LGBTQ Health Conference: Bridging Research and Practice was held in Chicago on October 31, 2015. It specifically focused on creating a dialogue between researchers and practitioners by integrating both research findings and clinical application into each panel or symposium.

The LGBTQ Health Conference was an interdisciplinary translational research conference that brought together scientists, public health professionals, social workers, psychologists, and counselors. We aimed to foster professional development and networking opportunities.

Researchers and practitioners at all levels, from students to established professionals, were welcome. Sessions were designed for scholars conducting applied or translational research with LGBTQ populations and practitioners working with LGBTQ individuals and communities.

The conference was co-organized by the Sexual Orientation and Gender Institute (SOGI) at Center on Halsted and the IMPACT Program at Northwestern University.

Agenda

Conference highlights included a symposia showcasing emerging research and practice in the areas of mental health, trans* health, women’s health, MSM and sexual health, and health care access and utilization; the Professional Development Session and Networking Lunch for graduate students and early career professionals; a poster session with student and professional awards; and a networking reception with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

View the 2015 conference agenda.

Keynote Speaker: Gregorio Millett, MPH

Gregorio Millett, M.P.H., Vice President and Director, Public Policy, amfAR, is a well-published and nationally recognized epidemiologist/researcher with significant experience working at the highest levels of federal HIV policy development at both the White House and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). From 2009 to 2011, Mr. Millett served as a detailee in the White House Office of National AIDS Policy as a Senior Policy Advisor. In this role, he coordinated the Office’s policy and research activities, including HIV prevention policy and the federal-level inter-agency process to develop the National AIDS Strategy. Gregorio Millett is one of three principal writers of President Obama’s National HIV/AIDS Strategy. Prior to joining amfAR in May 2014, Mr. Millett served as the HHS/CDC Liaison to the White House Office of National AIDS Policy. Mr. Millett has been credited with changing the underlying assumptions among researchers of observed HIV infection disparities among black men who have sex with men (MSM) and is widely recognized as one of the first researchers to show no protective effect associated with male circumcision for MSM. Highlighting these accomplishments, Mr. Millett was honored with a scientific profile in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet in 2012. (Photo courtesy of The Black AIDS Institute.)

Lisa Katona, LCSW

“Fostering Sex Positive Conversations with Our Clients”

John Pachankis, PhD, Yale School of Public Health

“Developing and Testing the Efficacy of LGB-Affirmative Psychotherapy: A Two-Way Bridge Between Clinical and Empirical Exploration”

Sari Reisner, ScD, Harvard School of Public Health/The Fenway Institute

“Situated Vulnerabilities: Transgender Health in Context”

Vanessa Schick, PhD, The University of Texas School of Public Healtha

“Sexual Health and Wellbeing of Sexual Minority Women”

Danielle Simmons, PhD

“Healing in the Margins: Unique Experiences of Queer People of Color”

Ing Swenson, LCSW, Center on Halsted

“Clinicians as Advocates for the Trans* Community”

The fourth Chicago LGBTQ Health & Wellness Conference was co-organized by the IMPACT Program at Northwestern University and the Sexual Orientation and Gender Institute of Center on Halsted.

Platinum Sponsors: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention; The Graduate School (TGS) at Northwestern University; Third Coast Center for AIDS Research

Gold Sponsor: Northwestern Memorial Healthcare

Silver Sponsors: AIDS Foundation of Chicago; the Alumnae of Northwestern University; Sexualities Project at Northwestern

Bronze Sponsors: the Center for Interdisciplinary Inquiry and Innovation in Sexual and Reproductive Health at the University of Chicago; Institute for Policy Research at Northwestern University; Loyola University School of Social Work; TPAN

2015 LGBTQ Health Conference