C2DREAM at the 2024 HEAN Annual Community and Scientific Partners Meeting Recap
The 2024 Health Equity Action Network (HEAN) Annual Meeting, held in San Francisco from October 7-9 at the Hyatt Regency Downtown SOMA, brought together 326 attendees from over 80 institutions across the U.S., including representatives from all 11 P50 Regional Research Centers. C2DREAM had a strong presence at the meeting, with 41 faculty, staff, early-stage investigators (ESIs), and community members—plus one Archie (Dog).
The event aimed to foster collaboration, strengthen community-scientific partnerships, share research progress, and support the career development of early-stage investigators. Sessions focused on addressing health disparities through innovative research, meaningful community engagement, and networking opportunities across the HEAN network.
Day 1 – October 7: The meeting began with a warm welcome from Dr. Mandana Khalili and early-career guidance from NIH/NIMHD expert Dr. Dorothy Castille. Research presentations covered dementia disparities, the All of Us program, and grant-writing strategies. Attendees participated in a time management workshop and explored community engagement approaches through biosketch development activities.
The afternoon featured the poster session, with 125 posters showcasing pilot projects and early-stage investigator research. Special congratulations to Cycle 1 Pilot Scholar, Dr. Abby Lohr, for winning the Community Choice Poster Award—an honor selected by community members in recognition of outstanding commitment to community engagement. The day concluded with a welcome reception, fostering networking and collaboration among participants.
Day 2 – October 8: The second day featured opening remarks from UCSF Chancellor Talmadge King and a keynote by Carol McGruder on San Francisco's historic fight for tobacco control. Yasamin Graff (CE Core) led an impactful Historical Event Session on the Morrill Act 2024, emphasizing its enduring impact on health equity in Indigenous communities. Dr. Abby Lohr exhibited a Through the Lens: Immigrant Perspectives on Health photovoice project in the Community Village, showcasing photographs and narratives by Minnesota Latino and Somali immigrants that highlight their communities' health priorities.
Panels explored the use of AI in health equity, implementation science, and new research directions. Attendees connected through breakout sessions and wellness activities, and many enjoyed a private reception at the Museum of the African Diaspora, just steps from the conference venue.
Day 3 – October 9: The final day focused on promoting inclusive collaboration and preventing burnout. A standout session was led by Felicity Enders, who facilitated a forward-looking discussion on "Future Directions for Health Equity Action Network (HEAN) Research," exploring how data collection can drive health equity efforts. Panels addressed future research priorities, community capacity building, and strategies for valuing every team member’s voice. The meeting concluded with closing remarks and a call to continue the momentum, leaving attendees inspired for future collaborations across the HEAN network.
C2DREAM extends its gratitude to HEAN for providing 12 travel scholarships that allow early-stage investigators, staff, and community members to attend and participate in the meeting. We also appreciate all the C2DREAM representatives for their involvement and for fostering meaningful connections across C2DREAM and the consortium. We look forward to seeing everyone at next year’s meeting!
Written by Tarissa J. Host, C2DREAM Investigator Development Core
Photos: Tarissa J. Host (hostx014@umn.edu); Benton Cheung (benton.cheung@ucsf.edu); Mikow Hang (hangx012@umn.edu)
