HCLI

Health Communication Leadership Institute
Networking

Networking

Innovation icon

Innovation

Management icon

Management

Leadership icon

Leadership


 

HCLI speaker

What is HCLI


The Health Communication Leadership Institute (HCLI) is the UT Center for Health Communication’s premier professional education offering. In this engaging advanced workshop, current and aspiring health communication leaders will evaluate their leadership practices and explore strategies and best practices for leadership, management, and innovation. Speakers include respected experts from diverse sectors and settings.

Agenda

All times are in CT


Wednesday, June 11

9:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Check-in and breakfast

9:30 - 9:45 a.m.
Welcome and Introductions
Mike Mackert, Ph.D. | Center for Health Communication

9:45 - 10:45 a.m.
Improv for Health Communication: Establishing a Growth Mindset
Shana Merlin | Merlin Works
Rob Milman, M.D. | Texas A&M School of Medicine

10:45 - 11:00 a.m.
Break

11:00 - 12:00 p.m.
TBA
Greg Wallingford, M.D., MPAFF | Dell Medical School

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Lunch

1:00-1:30 p.m.
Wastewater Surveillance and Health Comm Lessons
Jennifer Deegan, M.A., MPAFF | UTHealth Houston

1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Application of AI in Public Health Communication
Mike Mackert, Ph.D. | Center for Health Communication

3:00 - 3:15 p.m.
Break

3:15 - 4:00 p.m.
Case Study Breakout

Thursday, June 12

9:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Breakfast and networking

9:30 - 10:15 a.m.
Fostering Community Engagement and Alignment with Subject-Matter Experts
Shirene Garcia | Steve Hicks School of Social Work

10:15 - 10:30 a.m.
Break

10:30 - 12:00 p.m.
Leading without Authority amidst Uncertainty
Elizabeth Richmond-Garza, Ph.D. | The University of Texas at Austin

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Lunch

1:00 - 2:15 p.m.
Panel: Health Communication Campaigns
Catherine Cunningham, M.S. | Center for Health Communication
Paula Cuccaro, Ph.D. | UTHealth School of Public Health
Christina Thompson | St. David's Foundation

2:15 - 3:15 p.m.
Fostering Creativity in Communication Strategy
Mike Devlin, Ph.D. | Texas State University

3:15 - 4:00 p.m.
Case Study Breakout

Friday, June 13

9:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Breakfast and networking

9:30 - 12:00 p.m.
Case Study

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Lunch

1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Closing Keynote
David Lakey, M.D. | The University of Texas System

2:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Closing Thoughts and Network Activation
Mike Mackert, Ph.D. | Center for Health Communication

HCLI early bird banner
HCLI 2025
June 11-13, 2025

Speakers


 

Headshot of David Lakey, M.D., a older white man with short, dark hair wearing glasses and a suit and smiling at the camera.

David Lakey, M.D.

(he/him)
The University of Texas System

Headshot of Shana Merlin, 2025 HCLI speaker, a white woman with long curly hair wearing glasses and smiling at the camera. There is a beige and navy overlay on the photo.

Shana Merlin

(she/her)
Merlin Works

A headshot of Dr. Rob Milman, an older white man with short hair in a button-down shirt. The image has a gray and beige overlay.

Rob Milman, M.D.

(he/him)
Texas A&M School of Medicine

Headshot of Elizabeth Richmond-Garza, Ph.D., a white person (she/they) with chin-length black hair wearing a black shirt and black leather jacket looking at the camera.

Elizabeth Richmond-Garza, Ph.D.

(she/they)
The University of Texas at Austin

Headshot of Catherine Cunningham, CHC Program Manager and 2025 Health Communication Leadership Institute speaker. A white woman with long brown hair in a braid over one shoulder wearing a white blouse, gray blazer, and glasses smiling at the camera.

Catherine Cunningham, M.S.

(she/her)
Center for Health Communication)

Headshot of Jennifer Deegan, a white woman with long, dark hair wearing a black blazer smiling at the camera.

Jennifer Deegan, M.A., MPAFF

(she/her)
UT Health Houston

Headshot of Mike Mackert, a bald, white man in his 40s wearing a dress shirt and tie and smiling at the camera.

Mike Mackert, Ph.D.

(he/him)
Center for Health Communication

Headshot of Shirene Garcia, a Latina woman with short, dark, curly hair wearing a white top and smiling at the camera.

Shirene Garcia

(she/her)
Steve Hicks School of Social Work

Headshot of Christina Thompson, a white woman with shoulder-length hair wearing a dark colored sweater and smiling at the camera.

Christina Thompson

(she/her)
St. David's Foundation

The image shows Greg Wallingford, M.D., MBA, wearing a dark suit jacket and a light-colored, patterend dress shirt. The background appears to be an indoor setting with blurred elements, possibly windows or walls. The image is in grayscale.

Greg Wallingford, M.D., MBA

(he/him)
Dell Medical School

Headshot of Paula Cuccaro, a Latina woman with long dark hair wearing a polka dot shirt.

Paula Cuccaro

(she/her)
UTHealth Houston

Headshot of Mike Devlin, a white man with short, dark hair and a beard wearing a light-colored polo and smiling at the camera.

Mike Devlin, Ph.D.

(he/him)
Texas State University

Event Pricing


Join us June 11-13, 2025, for an engaging workshop on current strategies and best practices for health communication leadership, management, and innovation.

We are pleased to offer a $850 registration fee for the 2025 Health Communication Leadership Institute. We understand the funding concerns facing many of our peers in public health and health communication, and we hope this adjustment will make it easier for you to join us.

 

Event Details


Dates:
June 11-13, 2025 (optional networking reception June 10, 2025)

Location:
G.B. Dealey Center for new Media
DMC 5.208
300 W Dean Keeton Ave
Austin, TX 78712

Registration deadline:
May 16, 2025

Thank You Sponsors


The Health Communication Leadership Institute would not be possible without our sponsors. Thank you for your dedication to supporting current and aspiring health communication leaders in their professional development.


Contact our events team