UAMS Hosts Statewide Public Health Conference
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Bala Simon, M.D., Dr.PH., a faculty member in the UAMS College of Medicine and UAMS Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, poses a question following a presentation during the 2025 Arkansas Public Health Association and Arkansas Society of Public Health Education Conference.
| Public health professionals from throughout the state came to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ (UAMS) Fred Smith Auditorium for the 2025 Arkansas Public Health Association and Arkansas Society of Public Health Education Conference.
The event was a joint program between the two organizations and featured presentations, Q&A sessions, a meal and vendors from numerous health entities.
Emily Paul, immediate past president of the society, said that promoting unity between public health professionals while providing attendees with chances to learn about different public health trends was important.
“We wanted to make sure there was a little something for everyone,” she said. “These conferences are great at connecting individuals, companies and even regions. Plus, it’s always nice to share resources. The conference brings health professionals together to network, collaborate and either stay informed or get informed.”
Bala Simon, M.D., Dr.PH., incoming president for the Arkansas Public Health Association and a faculty member in the UAMS College of Medicine and UAMS Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health Department of Epidemiology, said the conference also emphasized an action plan for health professionals.
“All health is public health,” he said. “That includes people who work in the prevention aspect, advocating for policy change, program change or funding change. And it also includes clinical health professionals who are taking care of patients. It was important for the conference to set a tone that it starts with all of us working together, making a difference in our homes, in our communities and in our beautiful state.”
“We have more than 5,000 public health professionals across the state, and it was important to bring them together and to create a forum for a plan moving forward for public health in Arkansas,” said Simon, who also serves as deputy chief medical officer at the Arkansas Department of Health.
Part of the plan includes continued efforts to improve maternal and child health.
Alex Marshall, Ph.D., MPH, is chair of the College of Public Health Department of Health Behavior and Health Education. She collaborated with Clare Brown, Ph.D., MPH, associate professor in the school’s Department of Health Policy and Management, to provide insight into Arkansas’ maternal and child health shortcomings and the efforts to solve the issue.
“It was a fulfilling experience to present the keynote address on a topic that is very important to me,” Marshall said. “I was happy to share the moment with Dr. Brown as she brings a wealth of knowledge on the issue. It was fun presenting our talk, “Opportunities for Research and Education with Maternal & Child Health in Arkansas,” to many of my friends and colleagues who were in attendance.”
“The conference brought together some of the leading public health experts from around Arkansas,” she said. “Such events enhance our working knowledge of emergent topics and offer networking opportunities.”
Quinyatta Mumford, Dr.PH., MPH, founder of Village Public Health, was among the presenters during the 2025 Arkansas Public Health Association and Arkansas Society of Public Health Education Conference.
Quinyatta Mumford, Dr.PH., MPH, is founder of Village Public Health an entity that helps youth and young adults navigate their way through life’s challenging moments. For a growing number of Arkansans in her targeted demographic, irresponsible sexual acts are resulting in a multitude of problems. Her candid presentation focused on those issues and how public health officials, and community members, can help address the situation.
“It was truly an honor to present at the conference,” Mumford said. “As someone who has dedicated my life to creating community-centered, youth-focused solutions, being in a space full of fellow public health professionals reminded me of just how powerful our collective work can be.”
Her presentation, “It Starts Here: The Role of Health Educators in Addressing the Sexual Health Crisis Among Youth,” spotlighted the Village Public Health’s Vibe Safe Initiative.
“Presenting this work wasn’t just professional — it was deeply personal,” Mumford said. “I’m a mother. I’m a public health practitioner. I’ve seen firsthand how systems fail our youth. I’ve made it my mission to help reimagine those systems — starting with prevention, education and hope.
“While research and theory lay a critical foundation, the true impact happens when we translate that knowledge into real-world solutions. I’d love to see more of us — those in the trenches, in the field, in the community — sharing what’s working, what’s not and what’s next. We owe it to our communities to move beyond discussion and into implementation.”
Ariel Morrow, MPH., is a student in the College of Public Health’s Health Promotion & Prevention Research Program. For attending the conference, she earned credits toward her Certified Health Education Specialist credential. However, more importantly, she enjoyed receiving great info about various facets of public health.
“Attending the conference was more than just an academic outing — it was a necessary act of professional and personal commitment,” Morrow said.
“Beyond the sessions and credits, I enjoyed being surrounded by peers and professionals from across the state who strive to improve public health,” she said. “It reminded me that no matter how heavy the load, our collective efforts can create meaningful, lasting change. Attending this conference was not just a step forward in my career — it was a renewal of purpose.”
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