Healthy Start 20th Annual Education Symposium & Convening

Explore maternal and child health across the life course. Free public symposium on Day 1; additional events are invite-only.

This year marks Healthy Start’s 20th annual education symposium, now part of a three-day, multi-audience convening.

The convening brings together healthcare providers, public health professionals, researchers, advocates, and community leaders to explore how lived experience shapes maternal, infant, and child health across generations. Through storytelling, multimedia, and interactive experiences, we will examine how stories, from families, communities, and care—can inform practice, influence policy, and help build systems where every family can thrive.

The Education Symposium will take place on Thursday, May 28, 2026 at the University of Pittsburgh campus, William Pitt Union, 3959 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, and is offered at no cost to attendees. The day will include a keynote address by Dr. Russell J. Ledet.

As part of the broader convening, additional invitation-only experiences include:

• Evening Fireside Chat with Dr. Russell J. Ledet (Thursday, May 28, 2026, Commonwealth Charter Academy Waterfront Campus, 162 East Bridge St, Homestead, PA 15120)
  A more intimate conversation designed to engage emerging leaders and trainees, creating space for reflection on lived experience, leadership, and pathways into health and advocacy.
  
• EMBRACE Summit (Friday, May 29, 2026, William Pitt Union
  3959 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15260)
  A full-day, collaborative experience centered on care, practice, and policy. Through working sessions, wellness spaces, and dialogue, participants will explore how to elevate community voice, strengthen cross-sector collaboration, and translate lived experience into meaningful systems change.
  
• Community Brunch for Doulas (Saturday, May 30, 2026, Wilkinsburg Train Station
  901 Hay St, Wilkinsburg, PA 15221)
  A restorative gathering centered on rest, connection, and care. Doulas will experience wellness activities, receive self-care resources, and participate in a Birth Circle to share stories, wisdom, and affirmations.
  

These experiences are designed to deepen connection and are available by invitation only.

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Host or Publisher Healthy Start, Inc.