50th Annual Conference Presentations

Salt Lake City, UT

Wednesday-October 23, 2024

4:30 ~ 7:00 p.m.      Check-In / Registration                                                                                                                                                                                           

5:30 ~ 7:30 p.m. Opening Conference Welcome Reception - Join us to reconnect with friends and meet new ones!   This strolling reception will offer light refreshments and a cash bar.   Kick off your evening in Salt Lake City, UT, by checking in, picking up your materials, and grabbing a light snack before a night on the town!  We look forward to welcoming you to this extraordinary celebration of the last 50 years! 

Thursday-October 24, 2024

7:30 ~ 8:30 a.m.               Breakfast

7:30 ~ 8:30 a.m.              Registration - Posters Available Virtually

7:30 ~ 8:20 a.m.               Poster Presentation at Breakfast Tables

8:20 ~8:45 a.m.                Welcome Address ~ TCNS President

8:45 ~ 10:00 a.m.              Keynote Address

Dr. Ana C. Sanchez-Birkhead,  PhD, APRN, WHNP-BC

Co-Director, CCTS Community Collaboration & Engagement Team

University of Utah, College of Nursing

As a bilingual, bicultural Hispanic clinician and scientist, I have had the opportunity of working with and among diverse communities in various roles and milieus for over 30 years. In my research area, I seek to eliminate the burden of disease for Hispanic women and their families, particularly those suffering from the effects of serious chronic diseases. I have intentionally developed strong partnerships in the Hispanic community and genuine, trusting relationships with important key stakeholders that have allowed me to conduct productive research and develop effective programs that benefit and aid in the struggle to eliminate health inequities among vulnerable populations. I have contributed to creative approaches and innovations in community-based research in ameliorating health disparities through assessing, developing, and enhancing educational and supportive programs for Hispanic breast cancer survivors, women suffering from heart disease, diabetes, and depression. In partnership with community-based organizations, I have participated in several extramural and intramural funding to examine health disparities across the breast cancer continuum of care (i.e.1R43EB019931, P30CA042014). We completed several projects addressing cancer-related disparities and cultural barriers to adequate screening and follow-up care. Together with Community Faces of Utah, Alliance Community Services, and the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) Community and Collaborative Engagement Team, we have developed community-level interventions to better support and educate diverse communities. Together we have conducted health summits and conferences geared to community members and stakeholders to bring the benefits of research to them on a personal level. The quality and quantity of my research reflects a consistent, substantial, and positive impact in the areas of health disparities, chronic illness, cancer prevention, and survivorship care among Hispanic women.

I have been involved in many local, state, and national efforts that focus on eliminating health disparities and advocating for social justice. Currently, I am President of the Utah Hispanic Health Care Task Force, President of the Unidos en Utah Chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, Chief Operating Officer for Alliance Community Services and Co-Director for the CTSI, Community Collaboration Engagement Team. In March of 2017, I was invited to serve as a member of the Multidisciplinary Steering Committee as part of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ (ACOG’s) program to update existing, and develop new, guidelines for women’s preventive health services. As a member, I participated on a panel to develop recommendations for HRSA-sponsored Guidelines for Women’s Preventive Services. This is a program supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). I am also pleased to have contributed my mentorship, leadership and research expertise as a faculty mentor on a NINR T32 grant, “Interdisciplinary Training in Cancer, Caregiving and End-of-Life Care” and in the HRSA NEPQR Acute Care Scholars Program. All of these opportunities offer exciting learning, growth, and advancement in my role as a researcher, advocate, mentor, and community leader.

10:00 ~ 10:15 a.m. Break