LEARNING OUTCOMES

  • Explore ways to increase pathway programs for American Indians or Alaska Natives to enter careers in medicine or other healthcare professions

  • Discover tribal healing approaches

  • Explore approaches that help American Indian or Alaska Native medical students experience inclusion and a sense of belonging

  • Examine ways to advance cross-cultural competencies in those professionals offering care to American Indian or Alaska Native

  • Identify ways to increase mental health and substance abuse services to urban and reservation American Indian or Alaska Native

 

The Global Health Conference Midwest is taking place the February 20 and 21, 2026. The conference is an opportunity for professionals, faculty, and students to connect, collaborate, and engage virtually in pertinent and emerging topics in global health! 

 For clarification, these Research Symposiums will be separate symposiums, but will both be held on the afternoon of February 1, 2025. 

If your research falls under: traditional healing, holistic medicine, disparities in mental health and substance abuse resources, clinical research, and advocacy/health policy related to Native American health, please apply to the Great Plains Native American Health Symposium (GPNAHS). 

ABSTRACT INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. A title must be included along with the names of all authors and their affiliations (department and institution).

2. Provide the significance of your work in a concise, descriptive manner (i.e.. Background, Methods, Results, Conclusion).

3. Abstracts are to be written in English and are not to exceed 300 words. 

4. For reviewing and scheduling purposes, abstracts will be classified into thematic areas. We are encouraging submissions in the following areas:  

  • Traditional Healing

  • Holistic Medicine

  • Disparities in Mental Health/Substance Abuse Resources

  • Native American Health Advocacy & Policy

This year, we are excited to introduce a Creative Arts category to the Research Symposium. Submissions may include visual art, photography, essays, poetry, or other creative expressions. We welcome works that explore topics related to global health, Native American health and wellness, or this year’s conference theme: “Access and Advocacy in Our Changing Global Health Landscape.” You may submit your work under either GHCM or GPNAHS, depending on which best aligns with your piece.

AWARDS:

At the conference, poster presentations and creative arts pieces will be reviewed by a judging committee and evaluated according to relevance and potential impact on global health, educational value, originality and clarity of presentation. Results of the selection process will be announced during the awards ceremony later that day. 

Three participants will be selected based on the strength and originality of their submitted abstracts to deliver a 7-minute oral PowerPoint presentation, followed by a 3-minute Q&A on their project. Oral presenters will be chosen by the judging committee, and selected individuals will be notified 3 weeks in advance if they are chosen to present. Participants will have the option to opt out of consideration for an oral presentation.

THE DEADLINE FOR ABSTRACT SUBMISSION IS JANUARY 26, 2026. 

GPNAHS submissions: 

https://forms.gle/ZDpsNigmG6emBJF9A

Executive Director of GPNAHS

 
 

Ronn Johnson, Ph.D., ABPP is a tenured full professor of psychiatry as well as the Senior Associate Dean for Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at Creighton University School of Medicine. Concurrently, he is also the Director of Team Based Care and Interprofessional Education at Creighton’s Medical Center. Previously, he was the lead clinical psychologist at the mental health clinic at the Nebraska-Western VA Healthcare System (NWI). Prior to Creighton, he was the Western Regional Director for the American Board of Professional Psychology.  His books include Emerging and Advanced Technologies in Diverse Forensic Sciences and the forthcoming four volume series on the Clinical Forensic Psychological Practices with Diverse Active Duty Military Personnel and Veterans.  He was named a recipient of the national Physician Enterprise Vision Award for his work in developing Mini-Medical School pathway programs for diverse underrepresented and First Generation students in the School of Medicine.

Ronn Johnson, Ph.D., ABPP

 

Associate Directors:

Dr. Gray is a Professor of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska.  Since joining Creighton in 1999, she has served as Residency Program Director for 15 years as well as interim chair.

 She received her MD from Northwestern University in 1991 and completed her internship and residency in obstetrics and gynecology in 1995 at David Grant USAF Medical Center, Travis AFB in California.  She is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 

Dr. Gray has received several teaching awards and applies most of her time and energy into the education of medical students and residents. Other areas of interest include working with underserved and vulnerable populations, global health, and DEI.

Caron J. Gray, MD, FACOG

 

Dr. Donna L. Polk, PhD, MA, LMHP
Chief Executive Officer of the Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition

Murray Joseph Casey, MD, MS, MBA, PhD, is a professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology with certification of special competence in gynecologic oncology and a professor of Preventive Medicine and Public Health in the School of Medicine, Creighton University.

Murray J. Casey, MD, MS, MBA, Ph.D.

 

Siobhan Wescott, MD, MPH is the inaugural Dr. Susan and Susette La Flesche Professor of American Indian Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She is Alaska Native from the Athabascan Tribe. Dr. Wescott earned an undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College and an MD from Harvard Medical School. She focuses on improving the health of Native Americans through public health programming and research

Siobhan Wescott, MD, MPH