2025 South Louisiana Community Health Summit

Bringing together healthcare professionals, community leaders, and change-makers across sectors to spark change through meaningful dialogue.

About this Event

Get ready to spark change at the 2025 South Louisiana Community Health Summit, hosted by Beacon Community Connections.

This year's theme, "Conversation Starters", is all about moving beyond surface-level discussions to create real, lasting impact in healthcare and community wellbeing.

You’ll connect with healthcare professionals, community leaders, and change-makers across sectors who are ready to turn dialogue into action. The summit will guide you through practical, hands-on sessions where you’ll practice leading effective conversations, with patients, caregivers, business leaders, elected officials, and government partners, to address health and social needs head-on.

Continuing Education is available for:
Social Workers

Summit is approved for 3 general contact hours by NASW-LA as authorized by the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners.

LPCs/PLPCs

Summit is approved for 3.0 CE clock hours by the Louisiana Counseling Association as authorized by the Louisiana Mental Health Law (R.S.37:1101-1123).

Agenda


🕑: 09:15 AM
Introduction: Continuing the Conversation
Host: Dr. Holly Howat

Info: Overview of the current state of health in South Louisiana through the Community Health Needs Assessment and Community Health Implementation Plan.

🕑: 09:30 AM
Community-Wide Conversations Panel
Host: Dr. Tina Stefanski - Office of Public Health

Info: Strategies and tools for effective communication around community health, including social drivers of health, with stakeholders at all levels.

🕑: 10:20 AM
Coffee Break

🕑: 10:30 AM
Conversation Navigation Skill Building Session
Host: Marie Collins, LPC, LMFT, LAC

Info: Guided session on using principles of Neurosomatic Intelligence to maintain emotional regulation when navigating high intensity conversations.

🕑: 10:45 AM
Cross-Discipline Conversations Panel
Host: Melissa Decell, LCSW - Ochsner ED Complex Care

Info: Strategies and tools for effective communication across disciplines to improve patient outcomes.

🕑: 11:25 AM
Patient Care Conversations Panel
Host: Marie Leger - OPH Community Health Worker

Info: Strategies and tools for effective communication with patients about social drivers of health.

🕑: 11:55 AM
Conversation Navigation Skill Building Session
Host: Marie Collins, LPC, LMFT, LAC

Info: Guided session on using principles of Neurosomatic Intelligence to maintain emotional regulation when navigating high intensity conversations.

🕑: 12:05 PM
Continuing the Conversation
Host: Dr. Holly Howat

Info: Review of actionable takeaways and key skills for effective communication at all levels.

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