The Women of Color STEM Conference week is here!

As always, WOC2020 has dedicated this year's milestone conference centered on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to the spirit of resetting and rising because the world is counting on all of us.

WOC's Global Health Security Track panels and presentations are designed to align the learning goals of corporate and government organizations and provide a window into the emerging global challenges. Participating in the virtual conference sessions will help you connect with the tools and processes we need to combat Covid-19.

The presentations will feature officials and prominent figures who have served in the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases, National Center for Preparedness, Detection, and Control of Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health (NIH), The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and the VA Maryland Health Care System.

Global Health Security Leadership Learning Track

We are all front-row witnesses to the difficulty of tackling a global health crisis in our own country from unused pandemic plans to confusing communication. At present, more than 70% of the world remains underprepared to prevent, detect, and respond to a 21st-century public health emergency. Global health security and leadership is about increasing the capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to health threats.

VADM Adam M. Robinson, Jr. MD, 36th Surgeon General of the United States Navy (2007–2011)

Adam M. Robinson, Jr. is BEYA Global Health Chairman. He entered naval service in 1977 and attained his Doctor of Medicine degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine, through the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program. As Fleet Hospital Jacksonville Commanding Officer, he commanded a detachment of the fleet hospital as a medical contingent to Joint Task Force Haiti (Operation New Horizon/Uphold Democracy). He commanded National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD while assuming duties as Commander, Navy Medicine National Capital Area Region before assuming duties as the 36th Surgeon General.

General Gustave F. Perna, Chief Operating Officer, Operation Warp Speed

General Gustave F. Perna was confirmed as Chief Operating Officer for Operation Warp Speed, 2 July 2020. In this position, he co-leads the partnership to accelerate the development, manufacturing, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics. In his previous assignment, General Perna served as the 19th Commander of U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC), one of the Army’s largest commands with 190,000 military, civilian, and contractor employees, responsible for installation, logistics, sustainment, and materiel readiness.

Lt.Gen. Nadja West, MD, 44th Surgeon General, US Army (Ret.)

From December 2015 through August 2019, General West served as U.S. Army Surgeon General and commanding general of the U.S. Army Medical Command. Prior to that, General West served as Joint Staff Surgeon from June 2013 to December 2015, serving as the chief medical advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. She also previously served as Commanding General of Europe Regional Medical Command and Commander of Womack Army Medical Center at Fort Bragg. General West retired after 37 years with the U.S. Army.

Lieutenant General R. Scott Dingle, 45th Surgeon General of the U.S. Army and Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Command

Lieutenant General R. Scott Dingle is the 45th Surgeon General of the U.S. Army and Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Command. His previous military assignments include Commanding General, Regional Health Command – Atlantic; Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7, Office of The Surgeon General, Falls Church, Virginia; Commander, 30th Medical Brigade, Germany; Director, Health Care Operations/G-3, Office of The Surgeon General, Falls Church, Virginia; and Commander, U.S. Army Medical Recruiting Brigade, Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Rear Admiral Erica G. Schwartz, M.D., Deputy Surgeon General, Health & Human Services Office of the Surgeon General

As Deputy Surgeon General, Rear Admiral (RADM) Erica G. Schwartz advises and supports the Surgeon General regarding operations of the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps in communicating the best available scientific information to advance the health of the nation. RADM Schwartz recently served as the Director of Health, Safety, and Work-Life where she was responsible for the Coast Guard's health care system of 42 clinics and 150 sick bays, as well as the Coast Guard’s environmental health and safety program.

Rear Admiral (RADM) Sylvia Trent-Adams, Deputy Surgeon General of the United States (2015-2019)

RADM Sylvia Trent-Adams Ph.D., RN, FAAN, FNAP previously served as the Deputy Surgeon General of the United States and also served as acting Surgeon General of the United States from April 21, 2017, to September 5, 2017. She became the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health in January 2019. As the PDASH, she shared responsibility with the assistant secretary for health in planning, coordinating, and directing substantive program matters; policy and program development; and setting legislative and program priorities covering the full range of public health activities within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health.

Today, there are more than 320 million people in The United States of America. This means that at any one moment, 320 million unique stories, perspectives, and experiences are being written, shared, and expressed. But are we listening? The conversation of diversity, equity, and inclusion presents a unique opportunity for today’s organizations. As the world continues to expand and markets continue to grow, so must we. In this track, STEM professionals will examine how diversity, equity, and inclusion impacts business outcomes and influences organizational culture.

Thomas A. LaVeist, Ph.D. is Dean and Weatherhead Presidential Chair in Health Equity. Dr. LaVeist has provided consultation services for numerous federal agencies and healthcare organizations on minority health and cultural competency issues and racial disparities in health.

Ms. Deepa’s accomplishments of 15 years span multiple areas (Customer Success, Operational Excellence, Business Process Supply Chain – Planning, Procurement, Sourcing, Logistics, Warehousing).

Eric L. Moore, Ph.D., Director of the CCDC Chemical Biological Center began serving as Director of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) Chemical Biological Center, the only chemical and biological defense technology center of its kind, in 2017. Dr. Moore is a member of the Senior Executive Service and is an expert in chemical and biological defense and medical countermeasures.

Erica E. Watson is a Doctoral Candidate (Doctor of Health Sciences), M.S., Cert.-Emerging Infectious Diseases Ms. Watson's current passion is to provide compassionate, encouraging, and lasting health education particularly for African-American women, and ultimately serve in underserved communities as a physician. Growing up as one of the only African-American children in her small community, Erica learned that through science and medicine, all people were connected genetically, spiritually, and personally on some level.

For more information, click on this link to view the official Oct 4-Oct 10 schedule for the all-virtual week of panels, presentations, seminars, workshops, and award ceremonies during the 25th annual celebration.