Moderator & Keynote Presenter

MODERATOR Flojaune Cofer, PhD, MPH

Women’s Health Epidemiologist & Senior Director of Policy at Public Health Advocates

Moderator – Flojaune Cofer, PhD, MPH

Dr. Flojuane Cofer is an epidemiologist who serves as the Director of State Policy and Research for Public Health Advocates. Her professional interest is addressing emerging and persistent public health challenges through research and policy. Her work primarily focuses on metabolic disease prevention, restorative justice, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

Prior to joining Public Health Advocates, she led the preconception health initiative for the California Department of Public Health. Flojaune received Bachelor’s degrees in Chemistry and Women’s Studies from Spelman College. Her public health training was at the University of Michigan, School of Public Health where she earned a Master’s in Public Health and doctorate in epidemiology.

She is deeply committed to civic engagement and currently serves on the Board of Directors for two nonprofits and is a member of the Active Transportation Commission and the Sheriff’s Community Advisory Board. For her professional contributions and community participation she was awarded the Young Professional of the Year Award by the Sacramento Urban League, the Exceptional Women of Color-EWOC Excellence Award presented by the Sac Cultural Hub Media Foundation, and the 40 Under 40 Award by the Sacramento Business Journal.

Keynote Presenter – Dr. Chris Pernell

Dr. Chris T. Pernell is a dynamic physician leader, health and wellness visionary, and social change agent. In her public health practice, she concentrates on health justice, community-based advocacy, and populationwide health promotion and disease prevention. Working as a senior executive in a hospital in Newark, New Jersey, she oversees a portfolio that includes Population Health, Strategic Planning, Community Affairs, and the Human Experience. Of note, her role was created to lead the hospital’s first ever health equity and inclusion strategy in an integrated fashion across multiple business units. Prior to joining this academic medical center, she led the 1199SEIU/League Labor Management Initiatives (LMI) Workplace and Community Health Program. Working with leaders and frontline workers of 1199SEIU, and partners across NYC healthcare institutions, her efforts centered on workplace health strategies, worker empowerment, health equity, and health system transformation.

Dr. Chris is a charismatic and leading voice in preventive medicine and public health. NJBiz named her a Public Health Hero in 2020. Known for her spearheading work in the Greater Newark, New Jersey area, she was tapped to serve on the Essex County Civilian Task Force as a medical expert. Prison reform and care for justice-involved populations along with issues such as evidence-based wellness programs, civic health, and high-quality education have been areas of impassioned focus. She serves as a frequent contributor across television, radio and print media leveraging her lived experiences and expertise as America’s public health physician and health equity champion. Dr. Pernell authored and self-published her first work, “Letters to My People” and regularly speaks at professional symposia and public forums on topics in the public interest, including racial equity, population health, social justice, community well-being and faith-based initiatives.

Dr. Chris graduated cum laude from Princeton University before attending Duke University School of Medicine. She received her Master of Public Health from the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, and completed the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health General Preventive Medicine Residency. Dr. Pernell is a fellow of the American College of Preventive Medicine and holds an appointment as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. Previously, she taught as an Adjunct Associate Professor at the NYU College of Global Public Health. She labors as a faith leader in a groundbreaking assembly, BET HaSHEM YHWH Worldwide Ministries, and travels domestically and overseas helping to transform lives through love, truth, creativity, and inspiration.

KEYNOTE PRESENTER Dr. Chris Pernell Public Health Physician and American College of Preventive Medicine Fellow