2024 Annual Conference: Honoring Our Past, Celebrating Our Future
This year, we honored our past, celebrated our future, and marked 30 years of empowering community health centers at CPCA’s Annual Conference at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento, CA. This event united over 850 healthcare leaders, providing a platform to share insights, skills, and strategies that health centers can use every day.
The conference opened with a high-energy performance by the Grant Drum Line, which has been internationally recognized for providing its student participants the opportunity to tap into their musical nature while simultaneously building self-awareness, social awareness, relationship building skills, academic acumen, and leadership. CPCA’s President and CEO Francisco J. Silva then extended a heartfelt welcome to attendees, reminding that “Healthcare is, and always has been, a human right.” Following, attendees heard from Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, who urged us to “turn this moment into a movement” of healthcare for all.
The conference also featured two inspiring keynote speakers. Daniel Dawes, Senior Vice President, Global Health and founding Dean of the School of Global Public Health at Meharry Medical College, explored the landscape of health equity and emphasized the importance of addressing the political determinants of health at Thursday’s luncheon program. He also signed copies of his book, The Political Determinants of Health, for attendees during a special meet and greet directly following his keynote in the tradeshow hall.
Friday’s keynote, Baratunde Thurston, engaged attendees with his dynamic storytelling. Known for his work on PBS’s America Outdoors and his podcast How To Citizen, Thurston highlighted the intersection of race, technology, and community engagement. His call to action resonated deeply, encouraging participants to leverage their platforms for social justice and advocacy.
Attendees had the opportunity to choose from a variety of breakout sessions organized into four learning tracks emphasizing the event’s focus on the future of the health care movement:
Advocacy Power & Influence
Health Center Optimization
Health Equity
Health Centers and Employers of Choice
In addition to the robust educational agenda, attendees came together to network and celebrate during the Trade Show Power Hour, the Awards Reception at the IMAX Theatre, and 30th Anniversary Celebration at the California Museum. Exhibitors took attendees on a “Journey Through Time,” and everyone had a chance to connect, learn about the latest products and services, and most importantly…have fun!
Congratulations to the winners of the Trade Show Awards:
Best In Expo: Chiropractic Integrative Partners, Inc.
Best in Swag: NextGen Healthcare
Best in Integration of Theme: Upstream USA
The event would not have been complete without recognizing those remarkable leaders in community health who have been instrumental in advancing the mission of health care for all. The big screen at the Esquire IMAX Theatre was the perfect location to honor the following award recipients:
Civic Health Hero Awardee:
Dr. Robert Ross
President & CEO, The California Endowment
Clinic Legacy Awardees:
Doreen Bradshaw
Executive Director, Health Alliance of Northern California
Dean Germano
CEO, Shasta Community Health Center
Kathryn (Kathie) Powell
CEO, Petaluma Health Center
David B. Vliet
CEO, LifeLong Medical Care
Martin Waukazoo
CEO, Native American Health Center
Tony Weber
CEO, Golden Valley Health Centers
Paula Wilson
CEO, Valley Community Healthcare
Conference attendees left the event with actionable, concrete strategies to address local needs and advance health equity within their communities. As we close out CPCA’s 30th anniversary we thank all attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, speakers, and staff who came together to honor our past as we step forward into the future of community health care together.
We can’t wait to see you at a CPCA event next year! View the 2025 conference schedule.