Event Recap:

2021 Harkin on Wellness Symposium

The virtual 2021 Harkin on Wellness (HOW) Symposium took place March 8-9, 2021. Videos and presentations from the Symposium are available on this page, along with the 2021 Harkin on Wellness Report.

 

The 2021 HOW Symposium explored how food is medicine to our bodies, society, economy and environment. “Food is Medicine” solutions promote better wellbeing and lower health care costs, create resilient and sustainable practices, reduce disparities among population groups, improve economic competitiveness and lead to greater national security.

Access the 2021 Harkin on Wellness (HOW) Report and learn more about the 2021 HOW designees.

Thank you to our generous sponsors! A full list is available by clicking the button below.

2021 HOW Symposium Agenda

Click on each name to be taken to the video and presentation slides.

Day 1: March 8, 2021

Day 2: March 9, 2021

Welcome by Senator Tom Harkin
Keynote Presentation and Q&A: Food is Medicine Model
Keynote Presentation and Q&A: Health Equity
Panel Discussion: Redefining Health, Food is Medicine Model
Panel Discussion: Innovation and Equity in Health Care

 

Keynote Speaker Videos and Presentations

Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DrPH

Dean of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science & Policy at Tufts University.

Download: Presentation (pptx)

Edward Ehlinger, MD, MSPH

Public Health Metaphysician

Download: Presenation (PDF)

Health Equity Panel Discussion and Q&A

  • Edward Ehlinger, MD, MSPH
  • Chris Mackey, Senior Project Coordinator, National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability
  • Nalo Johnson, PhD, Director, Division of Health Promotion & Chronic Disease Prevention, Iowa Department of Public Health

Panel Discussion: Redefining Health, Food is Medicine Model

Andrew Nish, MD

Medical Director John Stoddard Cancer Center, UnityPoint Health

Download: Presentation (pptx)

Megan Lott, MPH, RDN

Deputy Director, Healthy Eating Research, Duke University

Download: Presentation (pptx)

Mark Rasmussen, PhD

Director, Leopold Center, Iowa State University

Download: Presentation (pptx)

Michael Roberts, Esq.

Executive Director, Resnick Center for Food Law and Policy, UCLA

Redefining Health, Food is Medicine Model Q&A

  • Andrew Nish, MD, Medical Director John Stoddard Cancer Center, UnityPoint Health
  • Megan Lott, MPH, RDN, Deputy Director, Healthy Eating Research
  • Mark Rasmussen, PhD, Director, Leopold Center, Iowa State University
  • Michael Roberts, Esq., Executive Director, Resnick Center for Food Law and Policy, UCLA

Panel Discussion: Innovation and Equity in Health Care

Alyssa Auvinen, MPH

Program Director, washington State Department of Health

Download: Presentation (PDF)

Lisa Harnack, DrPH, RD, MPH

Professor, Division of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota

Download: Presentation (pptx)

Allison Yoder, MA, RDN, LD

Nutrition in Food Retail Program Development Fellow, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation

Download: Presentation (pptx)

Mona Shah, PhD, MPH

Senior Program Office, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Download: Presentation (pptx)

Innovation and Equity in Health Care Panel Q&A

  • Alyssa Auvinen, MPH, Project Director, Washington State Department of Health
  • Lisa Harnack, DrPH, RD, MPH, Professor, Division of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota
  • Allison Yoder, MA, RDN, LD, Nutrition in Food Retail Program Development Fellow, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation
  • Mona Shah, PhD, MPH, Senior Program Officer, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Read the new 2021 Harkin on Wellness Report

The 2021 HOW Report highlights the work of wellness and nutrition initiatives from around the United States that have found success strategically connecting food systems with health and wellness. This approach can lead to a larger impact on issues related to food, health and the environment.

Sponsors

Thank you to our generous sponsors for supporting the 2021 Harkin on Wellness Symposium.

Platinum Sponsors

  • Anthem
  • RWJF Special Contributions Fund of the Princeton Area Community Foundation
  • Sukup Manufacturing

Gold Sponsors

  • Hy-Vee

Silver Sponsors

  • Drake University
  • Cultivating Compassion: The Dr. Richard Deming Foundation
  • Kum & Go
  • Mid-Iowa Health Foundation
  • Navigate
  • Paul and Claudia Schickler (Paul, BN’74, GR’83)

Learn more about The Harkin Institute’s work in wellness and nutrition

The Harkin Institute works each day to advance Senator Harkin’s legacy within the realm of wellness and nutrition. Working in collaboration with Senator Harkin and our Wellness and Nutrition Core Advisory Committee, the Institute created a research agenda that focuses on three primary areas of wellness and nutrition: school nutrition, food subsidies, and the impact of diet on climate change.

Address: 2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311

Phone: (515) 271-3623

Email: harkininstitute@drake.edu

Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.