Allegheny County Immunization Coalition
Conference
Uniting for Immunity: The Role of Vaccination in Public Health
20 years of coalition building
70 years since science turned the tide against polio
Wednesday,
November 5, 2025
Regional Learning Alliance
Why Attend?
The 20th Annual ACIC Conference is a milestone gathering for public health and healthcare leaders across our region.
- Learn from leading experts including Peter Salk, Amesh Adalja, Gretchen Chapman, Todd Wolynn, and more.
- Earn up to 6.25 CME, CNE, CPE, and CE credits while gaining timely knowledge you can put into practice.
- Build new partnerships that strengthen your work and expand your impact.
- Renew your energy and purpose alongside colleagues who share your commitment to advancing public health.
- Reflect on history and shape the future as we honor the 70th anniversary of the polio vaccine milestone.
Agenda
7:30 – 8:00 AM
Registration, Breakfast & Exhibitor Visits
8:00 – 8:10 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Jenny Bender, MPH, BSN, RN, CIC — ACIC President
8:10 – 9:00 AM
Keynote: Peter L. Salk, MD
Reflections on Vaccine Legacy and Public Trust
Commemorating 70 years since the 1955 announcement that the polio vaccine was declared safe, effective, and potent.
9:00 – 9:40 AM
Amesh Adalja, MD
Emerging Pathogens, Pandemic Threats, and Local Preparedness
9:40 – 10:15 AM
Tom Mcleaf, PhD
Statewide Collaboration and Policy in Practice
10:15 – 10:35 AM
Morning Break & Exhibitor Visits
10:35 – 11:10 AM
Michael Deem, PhD
The Ethics of Vaccination
11:10 – 11:45 AM
Kara Miles, BSN, RN, NCNSN
Barriers & Breakthroughs in School Vaccination
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM
Lunch & Exhibitor Visits
12:45 – 1:25 PM
Gretchen Chapman, PhD
Behavioral Drivers of Vaccine Decision-Making
1:25 – 2:15 PM — Panel Discussion
What Trust Requires Now: Cross-Sector Insights
Moderator: Raymond Pontzer, MD
Panelists: John Alcorn, PhD · Donald Middleton, MD · Richard Zimmerman, MD
2:15 – 2:30 PM
Afternoon Networking, Exhibitor Visits & Refreshment Break
2:30 – 3:05 PM
Jean Storm, DO, CMD, DHDQM
System-Level Approaches to Building Vaccine Confidence
3:05 – 3:45 PM
Todd Wolynn, MD & Chad Hermann
The Trusted Messenger Model: Narrative Defense Against Misinformation
3:45 – 4:00 PM
Closing Remarks
Final thoughts, Q&A, CME instructions, acknowledgments
Continuing Education
Earn up to 6.25 hours of CME, CNE, CPE, and CE credits.
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the University of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Immunization Coalition. The University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Physician (CME)
The University of Pittsburgh designates this live activity for a maximum of 6.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Nursing (CNE)
The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 6.25 contact hours.
Pharmacy (CPE)
This knowledge-based activity provides 6.25 contact hours of continuing pharmacy education credit.
Social Work (ASWB)
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the University of Pittsburgh is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Social workers completing this course receive 6.25 general CE credits.
Other Healthcare Professionals
Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with their participation in this activity.
Thank You to Our 2025 Exhibitors
We’re grateful for the generous support of our exhibitors, whose commitment helps make this milestone conference possible.
Your partnership supports education, collaboration, and innovation across the public health community.
Ready to Join Us?
Be part of one of the most important public health gatherings of the year.
Advanced registration required. Registration closes October 30, 2025. Email mmayer@acms.org with questions.