TPHA's 2026 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Together We Thrive: Every Age, Every Stage
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Changes in Funding and Policies, and Investment in Rural Communities are bringing about generational challenges and opportunities. Join us in September to hear how public health professionals and their partners are preparing for a healthier future for Tennesseans.
September 23-25, 2026
Embassy Suites by Hilton, Murfreesboro, TN
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Ashish Joshi, PhD, MBBS, MPH
Dean and Distinguished Professor, University of Memphis, School of Public Health
Framing responsible and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence in Public Health Education, Research and Practice
Dr. Ashish Joshi is the Dean and Distinguished University Professor of the University of Memphis School of Public Health. He is an inspirational speaker, innovator, entrepreneur, educator, researcher, administrator, mentor and a public health diplomat. He is a leading international authority in Public Health Innovation, a population health informatics researcher, public health diplomacy and applied health resilience frameworks. He is also the author of first textbook “Population Health Informatics: Driving Evidence-based solutions into practice”. and has developed one of the first models of public health education in high schools.
Dr. Joshi is founder of the public health diplomacy lab bringing together globally a wide range of stakeholders advancing good health and well-being of all. He chairs the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) Technology and Public Health Advisory Group, is Chair of the ASPPH Responsible and Ethical use of AI in the Public Health Taskforce and is a member of the ASPPH Board. He is a Global architect of the internationally recognized SMAART™ Model that aims to address social, economic and health issues towards building sustainable cities and communities.
Dr. Joshi has secured nearly $25 million in research grants and contracts and published more than 150 research papers in high quality peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Joshi’s commitment to public health has been well recognized through several awards including CUNY SPH Legacy Award and the Distinguished Service Award by NYC Test and Trace Corps program for his extraordinary COVID-19 work in New York City and Memphis City Council.
Dr. Joshi has established various partnerships and collaborations with academic institutions, non-governmental organizations and public health associations across Southeast Asia, Asia Pacific, Africa, Europe, Middle East, Central Asia and Latin and South America. Dr. Joshi has widely travelled to more than 30 countries and brings a breadth of expertise through his lived public health experience.
Speaker for Thursday, September 24 is Dr. Nandi Marshall, President of the American Public Health Association
For Such a Time as This: Championing Public Health Through Advocacy and Action
Public health is under pressure, but our resolve is stronger than ever. Join the American Public Health Association President, Dr. Nandi Marshall, for an energizing and action-oriented keynote focused on strengthening the public health workforce, engaging and partnering with communities, and advancing bold advocacy to protect and promote health equity. This session will explore the current landscape of public health and the critical role of collective action in driving meaningful change across communities and systems.
Dr. Nandi A. Marshall, DrPH, MPH, CHES, CLC, CDE is a nationally recognized public health leader, community-engaged scholar, and educator committed to advancing health equity and preparing the next generation of the public health workforce. She is a Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Community Health and serves as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health at Georgia Southern University. Her scholarship emphasizes qualitative and community-based methods, including photovoice, to address social determinants of health and reduce persistent inequities. A dedicated public health leader, Dr. Marshall currently serves as President of the American Public Health Association (APHA). While she has also held several leadership roles within APHA, her leadership extends across the field through service, including the United States Breastfeeding Committee, the Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition, the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE), and the Bulloch County Board of Health.
CLICK HERE for photo highlights of last year's event.
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WAYS TO GET INVOLVED IN 2026 Join a Section. Sections will begin meeting in February. Go to www.tnpublichealth.org/sections for a list of sections. You need to be a TPHA member to join a section. Contact TPHA to join. Volunteer for a Committee. We are currently recruiting members to work on the following committees:
Attend a Regional Meeting. Save the Date!
Attend the Annual Conference. September 23-25 at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro. This year's theme is Together We Thrive: Every Age, Every Stage.
Check TPHA's monthly newsletters for more opportunities for networking and education as they become available. Membership has its Benefits
Join Today
TPHA Is Now Accepting Scholarship Applications We’re excited to announce that applications for the 2026 academic year are now being accepted! This is an important member benefit. All members are encouraged to go to SCHOLARSHIP to see if you are eligible to apply. Applications are due to Allison Hargrove at [email protected] by May 31, 2026. Awardees will be notified in mid-summer. 2026 Scholarship Information and Applications |
Membership in the Tennessee Public Health Association is far more than attending an annual conference at a discounted rate. Membership includes working with like-minded professionals on committees, in professional sections and community volunteer efforts to make Tennessee a healthier and safer place for residents and visitors to live, work and play. Benefits include professional growth and development, access to resources and events, leadership and skill building, networking and job searching, peer support, internships and mentoring programs and advocacy. 
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Tennessee Public Health Association is an affiliated association of the American Public Health Association (APHA). APHA is the national voice of public health and champions the health of all people and all communities. They are the only organization that combines a 140-plus year perspective, the ability to influence federal policy to improve the public’s health and a member community from all public health disciplines and over 40 countries.
Click here to learn more about APHA
TPHA Recognizes Outstanding Achievements in Public Health on October 10, 2024
The Tennessee Public Health Association celebrated its 2024 award recipients during a luncheon on Thursday October 10 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in Murfreesboro. Pictured below are this year's winners pictured with Kim Harrell, TPHA Executive Director (3rd from right), Dr. Ralph Alvarado, Commissioner of Health for State of Tennessee (far left) and Dr. Dawn Ford, Board President of TPHA (center and the Doris Spain Award for Distinguished Service recipient). For more information on each of the recipients and a description of each award, go to Awards
