2025 Annual Meeting

SAHM 2025 Annual Meeting: Plenary Program

The SAHM Program Committee is delighted to share with you it’s 2025 Annual Meeting Plenary Program.

Plenary I/ Gallagher Lecture: Healthy, Empowered, Connected Young People: Key Issues and Future Directions in Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health

Tuesday, March 4, 2025 from 8:30 AM - 10:15 AM ET

Polarized debates on sex education, contraception, abortion, and gender identity and expression will consume legislative and executive branch agendas in DC and in states across the nation. This plenary session delves into the current political landscape surrounding reproductive health and puts in context the policy and service delivery implications for adolescent health and wellbeing. As young people face multiple intersecting crises related to reproductive health, mental health, and sexual violence, this session will highlight these connections and emphasize strategies and techniques to empower youth to feel informed, connected, and secure. After this session, attendees should feel one step closer to engaging youth to be an advocate for their own reproductive health even amid a potentially fraught political climate.

The session will help prospective participants:

1. 1. Recognize the connection between and impact of reproductive health and rights on individual health and wellbeing and public health priorities, including mental health, violence prevention, and health equity.
  2. Identify 2-3 salient reproductive health policy issues that are likely to impact adolescent sexual and reproductive health and well-being over the next two years.
  3. Summarize the impact federal policy has on adolescent sexual and reproductive health service delivery, including sex education.
  4. Propose at least one opportunity to meaningfully engage youth to support adolescent sexual and reproductive health.

Jessica S. Marcella, MPA
Co-Founder
Triple Dividend Partner

Learn more about Jessica S. Marcella, MPA

Jessica Swafford Marcella, MPA is a distinguished expert in adolescent health, reproductive health, rights, and justice, and co-founder of Triple Dividend Partners, a mission-driven consulting firm dedicated to advancing adolescent health and well-being. Prior to founding Triple Dividend Partners, Jessica served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Population Affairs and Director of the Office of Adolescent Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a senior executive service presidential appointment by the Biden-Harris administration.

In her role, she led national initiatives in family planning and evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention, while also advising the administration on key reproductive and adolescent health issues. She played a pivotal role in overseeing the nation’s family planning program (Title X) and the evidence-based Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) program. Additionally, Jessica led gender equity, human rights, climate, and public health priorities within the HHS Office of Global Affairs.

With more than 20 years of experience, Jessica began her career on Capitol Hill before transitioning to the nonprofit sector. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Biology from Stanford University and a Master of Public Administration from The George Washington University. Jessica lives in Washington, DC with her husband and two children.

Ren Culbreath
Sexual Health Navigator and Community Outreach Specialist
John Hopkins Harriet Lane Clinic

Learn more about Ren Culbreath

Ren Culbreath is a Sexual Health Navigator and Community Outreach Specialist at John’s Hopkins Harriet Lane Clinic. He has vast years of experience educating and supporting youth regarding their sexual health. His experience includes counseling and facilitating conversations with youth surrounding their sexuality, mental health, suicidality and much more.

Ren’s passion for outreach has created connections with various high schools in Baltimore city that continue to foster. Since his own youth, Ren has been committed to advocating for comprehensive sex education, reproductive justice, and youth confidentiality within their healthcare.

Plenary II: Youth Resiliency and Strength Building

Thursday, March 6, 2025 from 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM ET

The Roots of Resilience: Helping Teens Thrive as They Move Toward Adulthood

This presentation will detail the key capacities that teenagers need in order to thrive as they move into adulthood. Attendees will learn practical strategies to help teens manage day-to-day challenges effectively and to prepare for the future.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify four key traits—emotional durability, adaptability, conscientiousness, and a sense of purpose—that support adolescents in thriving as they transition to adulthood.
2. Explain practical strategies for fostering each of these traits in teens to enhance their resilience, social connections, and ability to navigate challenges effectively

Lisa Damour, PhD
Psychologist
Case Western Reserve University

Learn more about Lisa Damour, PhD

Dr. Lisa Damour is the author of three New York Times best sellers: Untangled, Under Pressure, and The Emotional Lives of Teenagers, which have been translated into twenty-three languages. She co-hosts the Ask Lisa podcast, works in collaboration with UNICEF, and is recognized as a thought leader by the American Psychological Association.

Dr. Damour serves as a Senior Advisor to the Schubert Center for Child Studies at Case Western Reserve University and has written numerous academic papers, chapters, and books related to education and child development. She maintains a clinical practice, speaks to schools, professional organizations, and corporate groups around the world on the topics of child and adolescent development, works with industry leaders on topics related to adolescent mental health, and was a consultant to Pixar on the film Inside Out 2.

Resilience Lost and Found: a story about growing up

In this talk, Hannah Clarke details her journey as a young caregiver and the lessons learned as it relates to youth resilience and strength building.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will identify the relationship between resilience and clarifying one’s values.
Participants will learn some examples of healthy coping mechanisms for navigating grief while fostering resilience.

Hannah Clarke, MPH
MS-3
Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University

Learn more about Hannah Clarke, MPH

Hannah Clarke is a Philadelphia-based writer and health educator with a passion for creative storytelling. She holds a BA in French Literature and a Master of Public Health from Case Western Reserve University.

In 2018 she and a colleague received a prestigious Projects for Peace grant to develop and implement an innovative, story-based reproductive health curriculum for adolescents in Sierra Leone. She expanded this project for her MPH capstone, developing separate modules for pre-adolescents, early, middle, and late adolescents. This co-ed curriculum has since been implemented in Senegal and Cleveland, Ohio.

Hannah is currently a third year medical student at Jefferson, recently having transferred from Case Western Reserve University to be a caregiver for her mother. This experience has fueled her advocacy for young caregivers, and she shares her personal story to raise awareness of the unique challenges they face. After completing medical school, Hannah hopes to pursue a career at the intersection of public health and children’s media.

Hannah is a proud West Indian and her family hails from the Bahamas and Jamaica. In her free time she enjoys gardening, acting, and creative writing. Her writing has been featured in the Gordon Square Review, Mosaic in Medicine, and Evanescent.

Plenary III: Youth Advocacy in Action

Friday, March 7, 2025 from 9:45 AM - 11:15 AM ET

Youth Engagement to Address Trauma

Council President Cohen will discuss the process of developing the Elijah Cummings Healing City Act alongside youth advocates and the importance of including youth voice. He will also discuss the results of this movement for trauma-informed care.

Learning Objectives:

Explain the importance of including youth voice when addressing issues affecting youth.
Outline the process of engaging youth advocates in policy.
Explain the role of trauma-informed care in youth empowerment.

Zeke Cohen
President
Baltimore City Council

Learn more about Zeke Cohen

Zeke Cohen has served as Baltimore City Council President since December 2024 and previously represented the First District on the Baltimore City Council since 2016. He was prompted to seek this office because of his firm belief that Baltimore deserves better in terms of city services and quality of life. He is unwavering in his love of Baltimore City, its residents, and its potential. A former teacher and founder of a nonprofit teaching community organizing to young people, he ran for office with the belief that democracy only works when everyone has a voice in the process.

In July 2019, Zeke introduced the Elijah Cummings Healing City Act, making Baltimore the first city in the country to comprehensively legislate trauma-responsive care. The bill, which was signed into law in February 2020, and the movement that propelled it forward were created to help Baltimore heal from our enduring legacies of trauma, racism and violence. He also sponsored the Gender-Inclusive Single-User Restroom bill and the Transparency in Lobbying Act.

Youth Advocacy in Action: Bridging Leadership, Equity, and Impact

This presentation will explore the transformative power of youth advocacy in addressing systemic health challenges. Princess Jauan Durbin will share insights from leading initiatives like the Atlanta Kiki Scene Leaders Fellowship and being Mr. HBCU, where he engaged LGBTQIA+ youth in leadership training and health education. Through stories of resilience, advocacy, and collaboration, Princess Jauan will highlight lessons learned and actionable strategies for advancing health equity and fostering youth-driven solutions. Attendees will gain practical recommendations for supporting youth in advocacy and leadership roles, emphasizing the importance of intersectionality, representation, and culturally grounded approaches.

Learning Objectives:

List the key challenges youth face in marginalized communities, particularly in accessing equitable healthcare and leadership opportunities.
Explain the strategies and outcomes of youth-driven advocacy initiatives using examples from the Atlanta Kiki Leaders Fellowship and my time as a student leader in college.
Identify actionable ways multidisciplinary professionals and adult allies can support youth in creating impactful, sustainable change in their communities.

Princess Jauan Durbin, MS Global Health Equity Candidate
Founder
Atlanta Kiki Scene Leaders Fellowship

Learn more about Princess Jauan Durbin

Princess Jauan Durbin is a 26-year-old emerging global health leader dedicated to empowering young people with the knowledge and tools to champion sexual health, wellness, and HIV advocacy. With a belief that youth-led solutions are critical to addressing systemic challenges, Princess has been recognized locally, nationally, and globally for their impactful work in HIV prevention and treatment. Princess was also the first openly Queer and Gen Z Mr. HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities).

Princess has participated in several prestigious fellowships, including Thrive SS’s Project Innovate, the KIPP Accelerator Leadership Fellowship, and the NMAC Emerging Leader Fellowship. Earlier this year, Princess was awarded the International AIDS Society Youth Hub Seed Grant, standing out as one of five leaders worldwide chosen from 350 applicants to scale up a project tackling gaps in HIV education and advocacy.

Currently, a graduate student at Meharry Medical College’s School of Global Health, studying Global Health Equity, Princess was previously a ViiV Healthcare Youth Ambassador and a Community Board member for the U.S. Business Action to End HIV. Their work exemplifies the power of youth leadership in fostering equitable health outcomes and driving transformative change.

Youth Advocacy at the Forefront: Scaling a National Movement for Stronger Oversight of Under-Regulated Dietary Supplements

Stanley will discuss how hundreds of youth advocates worked with researchers and policymakers to launch a multi-state campaign to protect youth from the risks of under-regulated weight-loss and muscle-building supplements. Throughout the presentation, Stanley will share insights and actionable takeaways to help transform your advocacy campaign. Stanley will highlight the importance of trust, autonomy, and collaboration in a youth-centric campaign.

Learning Objectives:

Describe the nuts and bolts to a strategic advocacy plan
Learn how to empower and engage young people in meaningful civic participation and advocacy mission

Stanley Huang
Advocate, Strategic Training Initiative for the Prevention of Eating Disorders
Research Trainee, Boston Children’s Hospital

Learn more about Stanley Huang

Stanley is a junior at Boston University, majoring in Economics and Data Science with a focus in public health. He serves as a research assistant at Boston University’s Center for Innovation in Social Sciences, where he studies healthcare utilization among pediatric populations. Additionally, he is a trainee at Boston Children’s Hospital, exploring how digital platform designs impact mental health outcomes. For nearly five years, Stanley has been a dedicated advocate for eating disorder prevention through the Strategic Training Initiative for the Prevention of Eating Disorders (STRIPED). Together with fellow youth advocates, he championed legislation to establish common sense restrictions on under-regulated weight-loss and muscle-building supplements for minors. At STRIPED, he has co-led a national initiative to raise awareness among parents, youth, and policymakers about the dangers of dietary supplements, working to secure stronger protections for young people.