VIRTUAL IMPACT COLLABORATIVE
THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021
9:00AM-10:30AM

As a result of our August 2020 Impact Collaborative on the adverse effects of extreme heat on health and birth outcomes, we are launching a major campaign in collaboration with the City of Miami, Miami-Dade County, and other key partners, to raise awareness about the dangers of extreme heat, particularly on pregnant women of color.

Negative health outcomes caused by heat are just the tip of the iceberg. There is so much to be done when it comes to mobilizing women to put their health first and to affect public policies that supports them. How can we best communicate, to be heard above the din and noise of so much information, and disinformation?

On May 6th top experts discussed issues and potential solutions related to emerging women’s health issues and tools to communicate and inspire others to act.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

JENNIFER JACQUET is an associate professor in the Department of Environmental Studies at NYU and affiliated faculty in the Center for Data Science and the Stern School of Business. She is also deputy director of NYU’s Center for Environmental and Animal Protection. Her research focuses on large-scale cooperation dilemmas, especially overfishing, wildlife trafficking, and climate change. She is the author of IS SHAME NECESSARY? (Pantheon, 2015) — about the evolution, function, and future of the use of social disapproval in a globalized, digitized world. She is the recipient of a 2015 Alfred P. Sloan research fellowship and a 2016 Pew fellowship in marine conservation.

SPEAKERS

Briana Schwarz is Sharsheret’s Florida Regional Director. Sharsheret, a national not-for-profit organization, supports Jewish women and families facing breast and ovarian cancer. Briana manages the daily operations of Sharsheret’s Florida regional office and coordinates education and outreach efforts and collaborations with Jewish, cancer, and college campus organizations throughout the state.

Catherine Toms is a public health-focused physician. She holds an undergraduate degree in zoology from Duke University. After receiving her medical degree from Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich, Germany, Catherine trained and practiced medicine in Norway. She earned a Master of Public Health from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2019 and relocated to South Florida shortly thereafter. She has experience building programs to reduce maternal and infant mortality by addressing health disparities. Catherine advocates for equitable policies promoting resilient communities and informs the public and healthcare providers about the health effects of climate change. She is especially interested in the health impacts of extreme heat on vulnerable populations. Catherine believes we all have a role in ensuring future generations lead healthy lives on a thriving planet.

Tenesha Avent is a native of Central Florida and has worked in the nonprofit community in South Florida for the past 10 years. She earned a Master’s degree in Public Health with a focus in Health Promotion & Disease Prevention from Florida International University and a BS in Human Science from Florida State University. She is a Certified Community Health Worker (CCHW) and possesses extensive experience in Public Health, in the areas of the Child and Maternal Health and Health Education. Tenesha has a passion for improving the health of the community and maximizing program impact through innovative strategic planning and collaboration.