Engaging Communities
Expanding Alliances & Advancing Equity
The 16th National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships (NCICP), formerly known as the National Conference on Immunization and Health Coalitions, is the only conference solely dedicated to collaboration and partnership as a way to improve immunization uptake, educate our communities, and prevent the spread of disease. The conference is an engine to improve immunizations and public health issues by sharing successful strategies that strengthen the work our coalitions and partnerships do.
2024 Host & Location
The Pennsylvania Immunization Coalition (PAIC) was the proud host of the 2024 NCICP conference. Our statewide work increases access to immunizations for vaccine-preventable diseases through support of local immunization coalitions. We warmly welcomed our colleagues and partners from across the country to learn from each other as we shared our successes and brainstormed solutions to shared challenges.
Welcome to NCICP 2024!
We are excited to host you in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania this Spring 2024 at the 16th National Conference for Immunization Partnerships and Coalitions (NCICP). We have a robust and exciting agenda planned for you anchored in core principles of equity, engagement, and partnerships topped off with amazing evening events from exclusive access to the Mutter Museum, a Welcome Reception at the renowned Franklin Institute and reserve tickets to Philadelphia’s famous Yellow Fever Tour.
The city, considered the birthplace of the United States, is nested within the state of Pennsylvania, arguably the birthplace of much of the immunization schedule. This conference represents many of the strands of work central to bringing innovative ideas and feasible technologies from bench to bedside to public health practice.
We hope you join us in celebration of the continued work of coalitions, practitioners, policymakers, advocates, patients, government, academics, and many others who toil daily to support public health.
On behalf of the Pennsylvania Immunization Coalition (PAIC), the host of this year’s meeting, welcome to Philadelphia!
Angela Shen, ScD, MPH
Chair, NCICP, PAIC
University of Pennsylvania
Speakers
The 2024 conference featured a diverse array of sessions, workshops, and keynote presentations designed to engage and inform you on a wide range of topics and trends.
Daniel Kidder serves as CDC’s Chief Evaluation Officer and is the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit Lead in the Performance and Evaluation Office (PEO).
Antonio Martez Good Health Wins Program manager for Kappa Alpha Psi as well as the Fraternity's International Vice Chairman for Health and Wellness.
Emily Lang is a partner at Price Lang Public Relations, a trusted strategic communications firm
based in Edmond, Oklahoma.
Karen Sharpnack, Executive Director of the Idaho Immunization Coalition since 2012, leverages over 40 years of nonprofit experience to address community needs, build partnerships, and promote vaccination statewide.
Kristina leads efforts to ensure health-focused products and services create successful health outcomes while developing strategies toward new best practices by leveraging private-public partnerships.
Chelsea Hardin Hensley is a seasoned nonprofit professional with a wealth of experience in project and event management, fundraising, member engagement, and recruitment.
Allie’s passion for vaccine advocacy stems from various interests and experiences, and she combines them all in her role as director of South Dakota Families for Vaccines.
Dan Hanfling, MD, leads Private Sector Strategic Partnerships at the White House Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response, bringing extensive experience from In-Q-Tel and in operational medicine, emergency preparedness, and healthcare coalition development.
Dr. Catherine Freeland leads the global health efforts and local Philadelphia coalition at the Hepatitis B Foundation.
Maria is a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School and currently works as the health equity coordinator for Pottawattamie County Public Health.
Northe Saunders, Executive Director of SAFE Communities Coalition and Action Fund, brings nearly two decades of advocacy leadership to spearhead pro-vaccine political advocacy, establishing state chapters and countering anti-vaccine efforts nationwide.
Karrey Shannon, RN, BSN, Community Health Nurse at Johnson County Public Health, Iowa City, addresses health and vaccine equity, leading vaccination efforts for vulnerable populations and spearheading initiatives to address social determinants of health.
Lina Tucker Reinders, MPH is a results-driven public health leader with international, state, and local policy experience in vaccine agendas, health systems strengthening, and tobacco control.
Abby Bownas runs the Adult Vaccine Access Coalition (adultvaccinesnow.org) and manages the Infectious Disease Prevention Network (IDPN).
Danielle Hall, Autism Society's Health Equity Initiative Director brings over 20 years of program management experience, residing in New Jersey with her family.
Michele Slafkosky, Executive Director of Families Fighting Flu, leverages over 25 years of advocacy experience to protect communities from influenza, emphasizing education, grassroots efforts, and collaboration, while enjoying family time in New England.
Amy has spearheaded collaborative initiatives that unite elected officials, community leaders, and representatives from national and local organizations in the fight against vaccine-preventable diseases.
Dr. Marcus Plescia is the Chief Medical Officer for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). He leads ASTHO’s Atlanta office and serves as the primary liaison to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Dr. Plotkin is the Founder and a Fellow of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society. He is also a Fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, of the International Society for Vaccines, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the College of Physicians of Philadelphia.
Sarah Vivo, Adolescent Program Coordinator at the Indiana Immunization Coalition, co-authors vaccination toolkits and manages education modules, holding degrees from Indiana University, and is a parent of two teenagers.
Jinny is a community organizer, parent, non-practicing attorney, small business owner, and advocate. She is the Founder and Leader of Immunize Texas, a grassroots network dedicated to supporting vaccines and public health.
Karen Ernst is the Director of Voices for Vaccines, a program of the Task Force for Global Health. She is a nationally known expert in building vaccine confidence through peer-to-peer networking and interactions.
Tom McCleaf, with 18 years at the Pennsylvania Department of Health, is currently the Immunization Program Manager, leading AIM as its Chair for 2024, with accolades including the Governor's Award for Excellence.
Francesca is a health and social justice advocate seeking to address health, racial, and socioeconomic equity in underserved populations and focusing her last three and a half years of work specifically on immunization and vaccine equity.
Chelsea Bufalini Research Project Manager at Penn State College of Medicine in the Department of Public Health Sciences.
Terri Burke, formerly Executive Director of ACLU of Texas, now leads The Immunization Partnership after a distinguished career in journalism and academia, with a focus on nonprofit leadership.
Sara Dillard is the Communications Director for the Indiana Immunization Coalition. She has fifteen years of experience in brand messaging, content creation, and marketing, which she uses to promote public health initiatives through digital storytelling.
Haolong Yu is a second-year graduate student at the Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania and has research interests in health communication with a mass media and community-based focus.
Mr. Tate’s career highlights include more than three decades of public sector experience at the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) that includes research, strategic planning, process improvement, policy development, and operations management.
Kamrynn Lawton, Program Manager at the California Immunization Coalition (CIC), collaborates with various organizations to enhance immunization access, reduce barriers, and disseminate crucial information statewide.
Charlotte Moser, a biology and communication expert, pioneers vaccine education at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, co-directing programs and spearheading COVID-19 resources.
Dorit, a professor of law at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, volunteers as the legal strategic advisor for Voices for Vaccines. She specializes in vaccine law and policy, including exemption laws and tort liability related to non-vaccination.
Meghan Sable, Director of Grants and Central Oregon Programs at Boost Oregon, champions vaccine confidence, leveraging her public health background to establish collaborative education programs and enjoying the local landscape.
Alison Buttenheim is a Professor of Nursing and Health Policy at the University of Pennsylvania, where she co-directs the Behavioral Economics and Global Health Insights Lab.
Dr. Georgina Peacock is the Director of the Immunization Services Division (ISD) in the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) at CDC.
Amy Jessop works for the local Philadelphia coalition at the Hepatitis B Foundation.
Holding both Doctor of Pharmacy and Juris Doctor degrees, attorney Spreeha Choudhury brings a valuable combination of experience to Epstein Becker Green, where she navigates the complex intersections of health care, pharmacy, and law.
Amy, based in Oklahoma, manages day-to-day operations at the Oklahoma Caring Foundation, holding degrees in Speech Communication and Communication, with previous experience in education and volunteer management.
Sarah is a Research Assistant at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, working both under Dr. Melanie Kornides on HPV vaccine hesitancy and under the NIH Community Engagement Alliance grant on the VaxUpPhillyFamilies initiative.
Brandi Hight Bank is a strategic communications consultant with more than 15 years’ experience at the intersection of public health, public affairs, and policy.
Shauvon Simmons-Wright, M.Ed., as Senior Director of Programs & Strategy, leads a team providing technical assistance, training, and resources nationwide to improve youth and family health outcomes. She boasts over 20 years of experience in school and community settings.
Dottery Butler-Washington is a highly experienced Supervisor IT Specialist with 35 years of service in the Federal Government.
Olivia G. White, Ph.D., retired vice president for student life and dean of students at Hood College, brings over 40 years of experience to her various roles.
Lecia Imbery, Government Affairs Director at Vaccinate Your Family, brings over 20 years of nonprofit advocacy and policy experience, previously serving in various leadership roles in national nonprofits.
Dr. Ruth Little, Associate Professor at East Carolina University, brings expertise from her roles as a nursing home administrator and public health director, contributing to vaccine confidence research with Dartmouth.
Emily Delikat, Director of Tennessee Families for Vaccines, with a diverse background spanning education, music, and public health, advocates for vaccination, emphasizing the intersection of epidemiology and communication.
John F. Burrell, Executive Director of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. is responsible for managing the daily operations of the international Headquarters staff.
Elizabeth Faber, MPH is the Coalition Director of Iowa Immunizes, the statewide immunization coalition committed to protecting the health of Iowans through vaccination of children and adults.
Aracely Heredia (is a Program Specialist in Health at UnidosUS, the largest national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S.
Marlen Ramirez, Program Coordinator at Vaccinate Your Family, is a dedicated Community Health Worker and Instructor in Texas, driven by a mission to promote health equity and education in underserved communities.
Paul A. Offit, MD is the Director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia as well as the Maurice R. Hilleman Professor of Vaccinology and a Professor of Pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
Abraham Gutman is a health reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer, where he focuses on the medical workforce and data stories.
Sawyer Koops is an analytic professional with a passion for turning data into actionable insights.
Kimberly Chiaramonte is a Senior Project Manager at the National Health Care for the Homeless Council leading the Community Vaccine Ambassador Project funded by the National Association of Community Health Centers by the Centers for Disease Control.
Katie Van Tornhout, mother of four, advocates for vaccinations after losing her baby Callie to pertussis, sharing her story to educate parents, recognized as a CDC Immunization Champion in 2015. She co-founded Callie Cares nonprofit.
Brendan Jackson, MD, MPH, (CDR, US Public Health Service) is the Senior Advisor for Preparedness and Response for CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.
Grisel Cisneros is Vaccinate Your Family’s Education Coordinator and ensures VYF’s educational programs promote equitable, evidence-based practices.
Breyana, Public Health Associate at Voices for Vaccines, utilizes her expertise in community health education to bolster vaccine confidence, drawing from her background in program coordination and a Master's in Public Health.
Malwan Johnson is a Senior Wireless Network Engineer and Architect. For the last 15 years, he has worked in both the private and government sectors designing, deploying and troubleshooting wireless networks.
Sheila, a Dominican Republic native and Paterson, NJ resident, advocates for underrepresented communities, managing the Maternal Immunization program at ACOG. She holds an MPH and aims to eliminate health disparities.
As the Chief Policy and Government Relations Officer for the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM), Brent monitors the immunization policy landscape and develops resources to support AIM members engaging in effective policy development.
Brittany Zulkiewicz is a doctoral student at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania studying health communication.
Heather Gagliano graduated from Jacksonville State University with her Master of Science in Nursing, specializing in Population Health.
Dr. Shen is a vaccine policy expert and health services researcher with over 25 years of experience, specializing at the intersection of policy and practice in health disparities, access to immunization services, vaccine confidence, barriers to innovation, and global health.
Lena H. Sun is a national reporter for The Washington Post covering health, with a special focus on public health and infectious disease.
Darilyn, with degrees in Natural Sciences and Epidemiology, coordinated studies on cancer prevention, worked as a contact tracer during COVID-19 in Puerto Rico, and promotes vaccination among Hispanics at Penn State.
Julissa Soto, founder of Julissa Soto Latino Health Equity Consulting, is a prominent advocate for Latino immigrant equality and health equity, notably leading vaccination efforts and COVID-19 response in Colorado.
Lisa Johnson, Senior Program Director at The Dartmouth Institute, with over 25 years in healthcare improvement, leads a Coproduction Laboratory fostering patient-clinician partnerships, focusing on patient-centered care and overseeing a COVID-19 vaccine confidence trial.
Aziz is one of the many pioneers who create movements and individual impacts in urban Milwaukee through marketing and media centered on cross-cultural and intergenerational approaches.
Gisela Medina Martínez is a dedicated professional specializing in health systems research and program evaluation at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Kaizan Kollin, or “Kai” is the Health Program Manager of Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation (PCDC).
Dr. Myra Rutland works for the local Philadelphia coalition at the Hepatitis B Foundation.
Leah Ferguson, M.Ed. DrPH, Director of Evaluation at The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, leverages over 20 years of community health experience, focusing on substance use interventions and community-based research.
Catherine Flores is the Executive Director for the California Immunization Coalition (CIC) based in Sacramento, California and works in partnership with coalitions and professional organizations that support their mission of ensuring that everyone has access to lifesaving vaccines.
Richard H. Hughes, IV, JD, MPH, is a nationally recognized vaccine thought leader who has led many efforts to expand access to vaccines and preventive services and improve public health outcomes.
Amber Tirmal is the Immunization Program Manager for the City of Philadelphia and has held various roles in the program from education coordinator to registry manager.
Erica DeWald is president and founder of Coffeehouse Communications, a strategic communications firm dedicated to finding new solutions to persistent problems.
As a licensed clinical social worker, homeschool mom, and physician spouse, Crystal Rommen brings a diverse background to her position as director of Louisiana Families for Vaccines.
Geovannie Gone oversees the development and implementation of IKC coalition and statewide immunization strategies, new business initiatives, addresses Vaccine Equity, and related objectives.
2024 Program Archives
Select the sessions below to see videos or slides from the conference plenary and breakout sessions.
April 9, 2024 Sessions
April 10, 2024 Sessions
April 11, 2024 Sessions
2024 Immunization Recognition Awards
Congratulations 2024 Winners!
NCICP is excited to host the second immunization recognition awards in 2024 to celebrate immunization champions who are passionate about vaccines and who have worked to increase immunization rates in their community!
The awards ceremony was recorded April 10, 2024.
Awards are given in five categories and the 2024 award winners were:
- Excellence in Immunization Advocacy: Allie Alvine – South Dakota Families for Vaccines
- Immunization Leadership Award: Andrea Polkinghorn – Immunize South Dakota
- Equity in Immunization Award: Geovannie Gone – Immunize Kansas Coalition
- Emerging Leader Award: Nicole Cope – Missouri Immunization Coalition
- Excellence in Immunization Collaboration: Catherine Flores – California Immunization Coalition
Special thanks to Vaccinate Your Family. The organization’s Carter/Bumpers/Greenaway scholarship funds supported awardees & their travel to the 2024 conference.
2024 Conference Photos
The Conversation on Social Media: Look for posts about the conference using #2024NCICP on LinkedIn or Twitter and follow us on Facebook.
Download the conference app: Download the 16th Annual NCICP Conference on the Guidebook App on mobile to see more photos!
Thank You 2024 Sponsors
2024 NCICP Sponsors and Exhibitors
Conference Archives
The National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships is biennial. Please visit the National Network of Immunization Coalitions to learn more about joining the network and getting the Network News email newsletter for conference announcements and updates.
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