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Social Impact Events

A key part of our work to inspire and build health impact is bringing people together for important conversations, ecosystem strengthening and student-led innovation. The Social Impact team at UC Berkeley Public Health hosts and convenes a range of gatherings that bridge the gap between knowledge and action.

From innovation competitions and policy discussions to public health site visits, workshops, and retreats, these events connect public health leaders, policymakers, students, community partners, and innovators to foster collaboration, strengthen our field, and develop and launch solutions.

Policy and Advocacy

In partnership with policy, business and philanthropic leaders, we convene policy summits and roundtables to develop creative policy solutions on a range of issues from health equity financing to behavioral health in Medicaid and rural aging innovation. Students attending our Sacramento site visits learn about the policy process and career pathways and engage with state health and legislative leaders. These events foster partnerships, create new policy pathways, and advance innovative solutions that improve health outcomes across California and beyond.

Career Exploration

We give students opportunities to engage directly with local and national health leaders such as Ascendiun CEO Paul Markovich, innovator and author Halle Tecco and program leaders from the City of Berkeley, Alameda County, and East Bay Housing Organizations (EBHO). Students gain insight into diverse career journeys, explore emerging fields, build professional connections, and learn how leadership and innovation can drive meaningful change in health and health equity.

Student Innovation

Through our innovation competitions students have the opportunity to develop breakthrough solutions to complex public health challenges such as improving rural health and fostering Medicaid innovation. Events such as the Rural Health Hackathon and the Medicaid Innovation Competition give interdisciplinary student teams a platform to develop and pitch creative solutions addressing rural health, behavioral health, maternal health, care access, and food insecurity, fostering the next generation of public health innovators.

Other Gatherings and Events

The Social Impact team convenes cross-sector leaders to spark collaboration, share emerging ideas, and shape the future of health. Through retreats, unconferences, and thought leadership events, public health professionals, policymakers, entrepreneurs, researchers, and students come together to explore innovative solutions to complex challenges—from health equity and primary care to AI, aging, and sustainable health systems. These gatherings foster lasting partnerships that endure well beyond each event.

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