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    • Opaque graphic of a Doctor's heands writing on paper, overlaid with icons depicting virtual health tools

    Author: Julie Slivka

    Apr 17, 2026

    As advancements in AI  technology rapidly accelerate, how can healthcare providers, researchers, and communities work together to ensure these tools are implemented safely and responsibly? Join the University of Maryland Extension (UME) and partners at the annual Empowering Health Conference to lean about Advancing the Future of Health Through Technological Preparedness, Innovation, and Accessibility.

    Virtual, free, and open to the public, the conference brings together experts from public health, technology, education, and policy for an exciting look into digital innovations shaping a new generation of inclusive, accessible, and human-centered healthcare. Learn how AI and other emerging health tools can be harnessed to dismantle barriers, drive parity, and empower communities. Speakers will showcase how real-world solutions, like virtual care and remote monitoring, are improving healthcare access and outcomes in real time.

    The Extension Connection to Health

    Land-grant universities like the University of Maryland play a vital role in supporting communities by driving research and expanding access to programs that benefit all people.  Marylanders Online, a digital literacy project led by UME, has made great strides in bridging Maryland’s digital divide by improving access to, understanding of, and use of health technology and digital resources. Join UME at the 2026 Empowering Health conference and learn how strategic programs, policies, and partnerships can build resilient healthcare ecosystems designed to work for everyone. 

     

    Register now!

    The Extension Connection to Health

    Land-grant universities like the University of Maryland play a vital role in supporting communities by driving research and expanding access to programs that benefit all people.  Marylanders Online, a digital literacy project led by UME, has made great strides in bridging Maryland’s digital divide by improving access to, understanding of, and use of health technology and digital resources. 

    Join us at the 2026 Empowering Health conference to learn how strategic programs, policies, and partnerships can build resilient healthcare ecosystems designed to work for everyone.

    Conference Speakers and Sessions

    Register Now!

    Conference Speakers and Sessions

    Click here to read full speaker bios

     

    Keynote Address: Maryland’s AI & Health Landscape
    Tasha Cornish, Executive Director, Cybersecurity Association, Inc.

     

    Securing the Future of Health: AI Governance, Cyber Readiness, and Institutional Accountability
    Isaias Tesfalidet, Project Director, UME Marylanders Online

     

    Building the Next Health Frontier: Decoding Emerging Tech Trends
    Dr. Dhruti Patel, Tenured Extension Faculty, University of Maryland Extension

     

    Universal Innovation: Advancing AI Without Leaving Communities Behind
    Facilitator: Teri Mumm, Digital Navigation Program Manager, UME

    • Dan Doggett; IT Accessibility Program Specialist, Maryland IT Accessibility Initiative 

    • Dr. Jessica A. Stansbury; Director of Teaching and Learning Excellence, CELTT; Founding Director, Center for AI Learning and Community-Engaged Innovation (CAILI), University of Baltimore 

    • Deborah Wilson; Certified AI Consultant, AI Healthcare Consulting

    • Dennis Tran; Disability Justice Steering Committee Board Member, American Public Health Association 

    • Mustafa Rfat, Ph.D. candidate, Washington University in St. Louis 

     

    The Future of Work in Health: Human + AI Collaboration in Workforce Development 

    Facilitator: Teri Mumm; Digital Navigation Program Manager,  UME

    • Dr. Yulin Hswen, Associate Professor, University of Maryland 

    • Dr. LaKeisha Harris, Dean, School of Graduate Studies, University of Maryland Eastern Shore 

    • Dr. Kimberly Poole-Sykes; Chair, Department of Education, University of Maryland Eastern Shore 

    • Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, Distinguished Professor of the Practice, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health 

    • Obiageli Nwachukwu; MSc. Candidate in Bioinformatics, Morgan State University

     

    Global Digital Health in Action: UMD SPH Capstone Innovations

    Facilitator: Dr. Hassanatu Blake; Associate Clinical Professor & Inaugural Director, Global Health and Undergraduate Studies, GEOH, University of Maryland

    • Omolola Adegbemileke; Global Digital Health Undergraduate Student- School of Public Health, University of Maryland 

    • Bertille Ingrid Dago; Global Digital Health Undergraduate Student- School of Public Health, University of Maryland 

    • Varsha Erapogla; Global Digital Health Undergraduate Student- School of Public Health, University of Maryland

     

    Key Topics

    • Securing the Future of Health: AI Governance, Cyber Readiness, and Institutional Accountability
    • Building the Next Health Frontier: Decoding Emerging Tech Trends
    • Universal Innovation: Advancing AI Without Leaving Communities Behind
    • Practical AI Integration for Health Education: Enhancing Learning with Human-Centered Technology
    • The Future of Work in Health: Human + AI Collaboration in Workforce Development
    • Global Digital Health in Action: UMD SPH Capstone Innovations

    Learning Objectives

    • Gain insight into the systems and partnerships needed to ensure the future of digital healthcare, keeping human compassion and community needs at the forefront.t 
    • Apply practical approaches to modernize service delivery through health technology to improve health and empower communities.
    • Identify strategies for accessible parity design to ensure AI meets the needs of individuals with disabilities and those with limited digital access.
    • Learn how to build partnerships that shape a more connected, inclusive, and resilient health ecosystem.
    • Understand how Human + AI" collaboration enhances healthcare workforce development.

    2025 Empowering Health Webinar Series