Public Health Speaker Series
The Public Health Speaker Series is an innovative collection of lectures from experts in the field of public policy, public health, and more, designed for students in the public health, medicine, pharmacy, and nursing degree programs. The purpose of this seminar series is to provide an introduction to topics in public health.
Learn about Education Credits for our Public Health Speaker Series.
2025 Lecture Series
Navigating Uncertainty: Public Health in the Face of Misinformation and Transition
Our 11th Annual Touro University, California Public Health Speaker Series continues its tradition of convening national experts to address timely and complex issues affecting community health. This year’s series features four distinguished speakers who will examine two critical themes:
- The rise and impact of misinformation and disinformation on public health, and
- The Health Experiences of Newcomers in the current political climate.
Sessions
When False Beliefs Undermine Healthcare: Medical Mistrust, Disinformation, and Motivated Reasoning in 2025 and Beyond
Date: September 25, 2025 | 5 pm - 7 pm
Synopsis: Join keynote speaker Dr. Joseph Pierre (author of False) as he unpacks how false beliefs and mistrust shape health decisions today—and what it means for the future of public health.
Keynote Speaker: Joseph Pierre, MD
Dr. Joseph Pierre, Professor of Psychiatry at UCSF School of Medicine and author of False, will explore how misinformation, mistrust, and motivated reasoning shape health decisions.
From Clicks to Consequences: How Online Misinformation Shapes Public Health
Date: October 16, 2025 | 5 pm - 7 pm
Synopsis: This session explores the spread of misinformation online and its consequences for health. Join us to discuss how digital environments shape community well-being.
Speaker: Leticia Bode, PhD
Professor, Communication, Culture, and Technology program at Georgetown University.
Children in the Crossfire: The Hidden Costs of Policy on Young Minds
Date: November 6, 2025 | 5 pm - 7 pm
Synopsis: This session examines the psychological toll of policy environments on children and families. Join us to learn about the hidden costs carried by the youngest members of immigrant communities.
Speaker: Luis Zayas, PhD
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
Caring for Children in Transition: Building Health and Belonging in Newcomer Communities
Date: December 11, 2025 | 5 pm - 7 pm
Synopsis: Discover how children navigating new environments face unique health challenges. Join the session on building resilience, belonging, and responsive systems of care.
Speaker: Kimberly Mukerjee, MD, MPH
Director for immigrant and refugee health, pediatrics at Tulane School of Medicine.
Education Credits
Continuing Medical Education
The Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine—California is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine—California designates this live activity for a maximum of 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians and PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
National Board of Public Health Examiners
Each session is worth 2 continuing education credits through the National Board of Public Health Examiners.
Touro University California (TUC) is an approved provider of Certified in Public Health (CPH) Recertification credits by the National Board of Public Health Examiners. Effective July, 1 2017, the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE) accepts continuing education units (CEU) for CPH recertification credits from TUC. Life-long Learners seeking credit for CPH recertification should use the guidelines provided by the NBPHE for calculating recertification credits. To self-report your CPH recertification credits, log into your CPH Recertification portal.
Questions about CPH Recertification, e-mail info@nbphe.org
Digital Badge
If continuing education is not helpful to your professional goals, and you are not enrolled in the Social Justice Series for credit, you may be interested in obtaining a digital badge for your involvement in the series. For more information, see the Public Health Lecture Series.