Health Workforce Equity Summit |
The Mullan Health Workforce Equity Summit is an annual event that convenes stakeholders, scholars, and the public on important and edgy topics relating to health disparities, equity, and the workforce.
06.18.19 - Reproductive Health in Crisis? What Workforce Strategies are Needed?

This summit examined the landscape of reproductive health services and policies that threaten access to appropriate and comprehensive care in the United States. Representatives of various reproductive health institutions focused on pipeline and distribution issues, as well as, the challenges of recruitment and retention of providers. Frontline workforce perspectives included an overview of residency programs focused on the integration and enhancement of family planning in training; the legislative barriers and the importance of advocacy for reproductive rights in the workplace; and the consequences that restrictive policies have on population outcomes.
This summit was a dialogue between reproductive health leaders and the Institute’s leading workforce experts. Dr. Patricia Pittman, Director of the Mullan Institute, and Dr. Candice Chen, Principle Investigator Mullan Institute moderated the panels. Panelists included:
This summit was a dialogue between reproductive health leaders and the Institute’s leading workforce experts. Dr. Patricia Pittman, Director of the Mullan Institute, and Dr. Candice Chen, Principle Investigator Mullan Institute moderated the panels. Panelists included:
- Jessica Marcella, VP of Advocacy & Communications, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA)
- Allison Whitney, MPH Director of Strategic Initiatives with the Consortium of Abortion Providers Services, Planned Parenthood
- Amna Dermish, MD, MSc, Medical Director, Planned Parenthood Greater Texas
- Nomsa Khalfani, PhD, Senior VP of Programs and Strategic Initiatives, Essential Access Health
- Uta Landy, PhD, National Director, Kenneth J. Ryan Residency Training Program and the Fellowship in Family Planning, Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health
- Katherine Simmonds, PhD, MPH, RN, WHNP-BC, Assistant Professor, Track Coordinator of the Women’s Health and Adult Gerontology/Women’s Health NP Specialties MGH Institute of Health Professions