Policy Solutions Take Center Stage at Salk Health Activist Fellowship Finale

After nine weeks exploring the systems and community conditions shaping healthin Pennsylvania, 28 emerging health leaders gathered on November 4 for the finale of JHF's Salk Health Activist Fellowship, presenting policy recommendations aimed at addressing social determinants of health.

The finale marked the culmination of a fellowship that challenged participants to look beyond traditional healthcare settings and consider how housing, transportation, food security, economic opportunity, the information environment, and public policy influence the health of individuals and communities.

This year's cohort brought together early-career professionals representing 14 universities and organizations and 19 health-related areas of study, with 13 returning after previously completing another JHF fellowship.

"As an immigrant physician, I witness daily the effects of politics on people's lives. And yet, neither immigrants nor physicians have sufficient knowledge, experience, or opportunities to participate in the legislative process," said Murat Sari, MD, a board-certified neurologist at the UPMC Stroke Institute. "This fellowship not only gave me the opportunity to learn more about how the legislative process works, but also introduced me to a diverse group of leaders and advocates in Pittsburgh and across the state. Sharing our experiences and recognizing how the same issues affect different social groups made me feel that I am not alone and encouraged me to become more engaged in civic activities."

Guest faculty and speakers for this year's fellowships included: Representative Jessica Benham, MA; EricBoerer of Bike Pittsburgh; Laura Chu Wiens of Pittsburghers for Public Transit; Sydney Etheredge, MPH of The Reproductive Freedom Alliance; Marita Garrett, MA of Civically, Inc.; Paul Gough of the Pittsburgh Business Times; Erin Guay, MSW of Pennsylvania Health Law Project; Chad Hermann, PhD, ABD of Trusted Messenger Program; Maura Jacob, MSW, MPH and Michael Yonas, DrPH, both of The Pittsburgh Foundation; Kiley Koscinski of WESA; Admiral Rachel Levine, M.D. of Penn State College of Medicine; Kelly Marsh, PhD of PA Unplugged; Stephanie Meyer, MSW, LSW of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services; Tammi McMillan, EdD and De'Saundra Sullivan, both of Hosanna House; Ann Sanders, MID, MSW of Just Harvest; Halle Stockton of Pittsburgh's Public Source; and Colleen Young, MSW of Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

Their experiences helped fellows understand how advocacy happens in practice, from building relationships and engaging communities to navigating the policymaking process and advancing solutions.

“At a time when access to healthcare and social services remains uncertain for many Americans, I was reminded of the responsibility that healthcare professionals have to better understand and advocate for the communities they serve. We cannot treat patients in a vacuum. While there may be an ideal treatment plan on paper, its success depends on a patient's ability to follow through with that care,” said Madison Zunder, recent graduate from Cornell University and current dental assistant. “The fellowship helped me begin to envision a career in which my interests in public health and dentistry complement one another, shaping my approach to patient care and advocacy.”

“As health professionals across disciplines, we came together to learn how to advocate effectively at local, state, and federal levels to improve the social determinants of health we encounter in our day-to-day work,” said Elizabeth Mormer, PhD, MS, CCC-SLP, a health services researcher and acute care speech-language pathologist. "I made so many great connections and look forward to staying in touch with my fellow health activists for years to come. This fellowship was a beacon of hope for what is possible when communities come together to affect change.”

With new skills, professional connections, and firsthand advocacy experience, the 2026 Salk Health Activist Fellows leave the program better prepared to use their voices and expertise to help shape healthier communities across Pennsylvania.