Jeff Robbins, Executive Director
CleanAIRE NC
Kassidy Plyler, Cultural Public Programs Specialist
Catawba Nation
Dr. Maria Jison
AstraZeneca
Climate and Health Equity – A Clinical Perspective on Building Resilience
As an accomplished surgeon and leading voice in global health, Dr. Shaneeta Johnson brings a powerful perspective to NC BREATHE 2025. Dr. Johnson will use her expertise to unpack the direct clinical implications of environmental shifts on patient health, strategies for healthcare providers to adapt, and the imperative for health systems to champion community health.
Shaneeta Johnson, MD, MBA, FACS, FICS, FASMBS, ABOM
Chair and Professor of Surgery
Meharry Medical College
Understanding Environmental Determinants of Respiratory Health
This panel will explore the direct impact of emissions and evolving environmental conditions on public health across North Carolina. The discussion will cover a range of issues, including respiratory health, cardiovascular disease, and mental well-being, with a special focus on the prevalence and management of chronic lung conditions.
PANELISTS
MODERATOR
Steve Justus, MD, DTM&H, CPDM
Town of Davidson
Dr. Justus is a Public Health and General Preventive Medicine specialist serving multiple community-based organizations in north Mecklenburg County. His interests revolve around community well-being, equity, and sustainability.
Community Environmental Health and Well-being: Bridging the Divide
Drawing from over two decades of experience as an environmental health scientist, Dr. Sacoby Wilson will discuss the various health burdens faced by communities associated with environmental factors. He will break down the critical role of public health in addressing these challenges and the solutions we should be focusing on now.
Sacoby Wilson, PhD, MS
Executive Director, The Health, Environmental, and Economic Justice Lab
University of Maryland
Use this hour to have lunch, network, and engage with student researchers presenting on environmental health and sustainability topics.
Student Leadership, Policy, and Collaborative Pathways
Student Research and the Future of Environmental Health
Hear from the next generation of environmental leaders in this moderated student panel discussing their research findings on community environmental health issues and sustainability. The discussion will bring into focus their vision for a healthier, more resilient North Carolina, and the collaborative pathways needed to achieve it.
MODERATOR
Melissa Haithcox-Dennis, PhD, MA
Associate Professor of Public Health,
Fayetteville State University
Learning from the Past & Planning for the Future–Policy, Health, and Justice
With several of the nation’s leading experts, we will explore the critical intersection of environmental policy, public health, and community outcomes. The discussion will move beyond simply identifying problems and envision a future where policymaking is a collaborative process that genuinely prioritizes community health and resilience.
PANELISTS
MODERATOR
Crystal Dixon, MPH, MA
Environment and Sustainability Studies Program, Wake Forest University Dixon’s research explores the intersection of environmental racism, sustainability, and public health. She also serves on the CleanAIRE NC Board of Directors.
Track 1: Eco-Trauma & Healing: Supporting Community Mental Health
The psychological impacts of environmental disasters and chronic pollution on communities, and strategies for healthcare providers and community leaders to foster mental well-being and resilience.
Track 2: Health Equity, Policy, and Data: Driving Informed Action
Utilizing public health data and environmental monitoring to identify disparities, inform policy, and ensure equitable environmental benefits and burdens distribution. Discussion on data transparency and accessibility for communities.
Dedicated time for cross-sector networking, fostering connections between health professionals, community leaders, and legislative representatives.
Advancing Environmental and Community Health Through Policy and Practice
Focus: The evolution of environmental policy, effective strategies for meaningful community input in environmental regulations, and the role of federal agencies in supporting state and local initiatives for healthier communities.
Dr. Charles Lee, Former Senior Policy Advisor, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
NC Health & Community Resilience – A Case Story
This panel will move beyond theory to explore how North Carolina can build lasting resilience in the face of increasingly frequent and intense planetary events like Hurricane Helene and widespread forest fires. The discussion will take a case study approach, examining what worked, what didn’t, and what must be done differently to protect our communities and our state’s health.
Moderated by Keith McDade, this session will convene notable community leaders to discuss a multi-faceted approach to resilience. The conversation will focus on how state-level policy, institutional preparedness, and community-led action can converge to create a more resilient North Carolina.
Key discussion points will include:
This panel will offer a comprehensive look at how a collaborative, multi-sector approach is essential to safeguarding the future of North Carolina’s health and well-being.
Track 1: The Future of Environmental Health & Access: Solutions For Community Practice
Showcasing research, health assessments, and community-led initiatives that are improving health outcomes in environmentally impacted areas, including new approaches to health department-driven plans, government agencies, and how community-based organizations across North Carolina can actively participate.
Track 2: Advocacy 101 for Health Professionals & Community Leaders
Practical guidance on engaging with policymakers, understanding legislative processes, and effectively supporting health-protective environmental policies and energy affordability.
Use this hour to have lunch, network, and engage with student researchers presenting on environmental health and sustainability topics.
From Awareness to Action: Students as Leaders for Environmental Quality
Dr. Undi Hoffler’s keynote will inspire students to become active participants in the movement for environmental quality. Drawing on her extensive background in pharmacology and environmental toxicology, as well as her work in community engagement and research at North Carolina Central University, Dr. Hoffler connects the scientific realities of air pollution to its direct impacts on student health and learning. The focus will be on empowering students to move beyond awareness and into actionable leadership.
Heat Mitigation: Listening to Community and Creating Solutions
Rising temperatures pose a significant health crisis for North Carolina. This panel will explore concrete solutions for heat mitigation in North Carolina. We’ll examine how cities, counties, and municipalities are combating the public health impacts of extreme heat through strategies like cool pavements, tree planting, and early warning systems. The discussion will also highlight the critical role of the state legislature in advancing policies and funding to protect our most vulnerable communities.
The Future of Health & Human Services and how community, health professionals, and decision-makers create better outcomes
Dr. Virginia Guidry’s forward-looking perspective on the themes of resilience and collaboration offers a roadmap for how community members, health professionals, and policymakers can unite to create better outcomes.
CleanAIRE NC’s Executive Director, Jeff Robbins, offers a recap and final thoughts.
