School of Public Health
Dean's Grand Rounds Panel, November 2026
UofM SPH to Host PLACE Panel Focused on Advocacy, Communication, and Public Health Leadership
Friday, 30 October 2026
Moderated by Dr. Ashish Joshi, Dean and Distinguished Professor of the School of Public Health, the panel will explore how effective advocacy, strategic communication, community engagement and policy leadership can strengthen public health practice, build public trust and improve health outcomes. The discussion comes at a critical time as public health practitioners face increasingly complex challenges ranging from misinformation and public trust to policy development and community resilience.
The distinguished panel features a diverse group of experts whose careers span government, academia, advocacy and public affairs.
Panelists
Ken Moody, Executive Director of Governmental and Community Affairs at the University of Memphis, oversees local, state and federal government relations and strategic community partnerships. With more than two decades of service in Memphis city government, including serving as Special Assistant to the Mayor for Community Affairs, Moody has built a career dedicated to connecting institutions, policymakers, and communities to advance meaningful change. His expertise offers a valuable perspective on coalition-building and civic engagement in public health.
Tim Leshan, MPA, Chief External Relations and Advocacy Officer for the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH), is one of the nation's leading voices in public health advocacy. With more than 25 years of experience in government affairs, biomedical research policy, and higher education advocacy, Leshan has held leadership roles at Northeastern University, Brown University and the National Institutes of Health. He currently leads ASPPH's advocacy, communications and external relations efforts, helping shape national conversations about the value and impact of public health education and research.
Dr. Chris Palmedo, Associate Professor and Director of the MS Program in Health Communication for Social Change at the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, is a nationally recognized expert in health communication and social marketing. His teaching and research focus on how communication strategies can influence behavior, strengthen public trust, and advance health equity. Through his work in public affairs, communications campaigns and public health advocacy, Palmedo has helped organizations effectively engage communities and promote evidence-based health information.
Trammel Hoehn, J.D., Principal at JohnsonPossKirby Government Relations, brings extensive experience in legislative affairs, healthcare policy and government relations. Prior to joining JohnsonPossKirby's leadership team, Hoehn served as a senior government relations advisor and previously worked in the administration of former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, where he was involved in budget development, insurance policy and legislative priorities. His experience provides a practical perspective on how government policy decisions shape public health systems and outcomes.
Dr. Rachael Piltch-Loeb, Assistant Professor at the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy and Senior Fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, is an expert in emergency preparedness, risk communication, misinformation and public trust. Her work focuses on helping communities and institutions better prepare for and respond to public health emergencies, climate-related disasters and emerging health threats. She is widely recognized for her research on public engagement and communication strategies during crises.
Advancing the PLACE Framework
The panel will highlight the growing importance of PLACE competencies, Political Literacy, Advocacy, Communication and Engagement, in preparing the next generation of public health leaders. Through a discussion grounded in real-world experiences from academia, government and practice, panelists will share insights on building partnerships, communicating effectively across diverse audiences, influencing policy, and fostering public trust.
Hosted by the University of Memphis School of Public Health, the event provides an opportunity for students, faculty, practitioners, policymakers and community members to engage with experts who are shaping the future of public health leadership and advocacy. The discussion is expected to offer practical strategies and inspiration for leveraging communication, collaboration and civic engagement to address today's most pressing public health challenges.
Event
Dean's Grand Rounds - Calendar of Events
November 20, 2026 I 11:30 AM-1 PM
UC Fountain View Room UC 350
The Office of Communications at The University of Memphis School of Public Health