2019 National LGBTQ Health Conference

Chasten Buttigieg was born and raised in Traverse City, Michigan. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Theater and Global Studies from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. Chasten found his footing as a Teaching Artist at First Stage, one of the nation's premier children's theater and academies, where he brought drama to thousands of students throughout the greater Milwaukee region and inspired students with autism and learning differences to pursue the performing arts. Chasten holds a Masters of Education in Curriculum Studies from DePaul University, where he wrote his thesis on the importance of creative curriculum and arts integration. He has worked in Chicago Public Schools, South Bend Public Schools, and previously served as the head of Junior High and drama teacher at Montessori Academy Edison Lakes. He lives in South Bend with his husband Peter, and their two dogs, Truman and Buddy. 

Opening Speech: "Equality in America"

Tonia Poteat, PhD, PA-C, MPH, is Assistant Professor of Social Medicine at UNC-Chapel Hill, as well as core faculty in the UNC Center for Health Equity Research.  After completing her PhD at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Poteat served for two years in the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator as the Senior Advisor for Key Populations. Since returning to academia in 2014, Dr. Poteat’s research, teaching, and practice have focused on HIV and LGBT health disparities with particular attention to the health and well-being of transgender communities. Her current work attends to the health consequences of stigma based on multiple marginalized identities. Dr. Poteat is a certified HIV Specialist by the American Academy of HIV Medicine and has devoted her clinical practice to providing medically appropriate and culturally competent care to members of the LGBTQ community as well as people living with HIV. In 2018, she was selected for the Simmons Scholars Program which provides support for underrepresented faculty in medicine.

Keynote Speech: "Intersectionality and Community-Engaged LGBTQ Health Research: Notes from the Field"