Plenary Sessions and Speakers

"Religion/Spirituality and Health: Positive Affirmations and Disquieting Questions"
David Williams, PhD, MPH, MDiv
Florence & Laura Norman Professor of Public Health
Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Professor of African and African American Studies and of Sociology
Harvard University
Monday, April 7, 10:30 a.m. - Noon
Dr. David Williams, is the Norman Professor of Public Health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. He is also a Professor of African and African American Studies at Harvard University. Previously, he was a professor at Yale University (6 years) and the University of Michigan (14 years).
He is a product of Christian education. He received his elementary and high school education at SDA schools in St Lucia. He is a graduate of the University of the Southern Caribbean (BTh), Andrews University (MDiv) and Loma Linda University (MPH). He received his PhD in Sociology from the University of Michigan.
Dr. Williams is an internationally recognized authority on social influences on health. He has been invited to keynote scientific conferences in Europe, Africa, Australia, the Middle East, South America, the Caribbean and across the U.S. The author of more than 600 scientific papers, his research has enhanced our understanding of the ways in which race, socioeconomic status, stress, racism, health behavior and religious involvement can affect physical and mental health.
Dr. Williams has received numerous honors and awards. He has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Royal College of Psychiatrists in the UK. He has been ranked as the Most Cited Black Scholar in the Social Sciences, worldwide, and as one of the World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds. Dr. Williams has been involved in the development of health policy at the national level in the U.S. and has served in an advisory capacity to both Republican and Democratic administrations. He has been featured in the national print and television media. His TED Talk has been translated into 22 languages and has over 2 million views.
Dr. Williams has worked for the SDA church as a high school teacher, student literature evangelist, and public health educator. For more than 10 years, he served on the board of Atlantic Union College and Loma Linda University. Currently, he is a member of the board of Oakwood University and Andrews University. Since 2014, he has also served as an Associate director of Health Ministries of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
David Williams, PhD, MPH, MDiv
Florence & Laura Norman Professor of Public Health
Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Professor of African and African American Studies and of Sociology
Harvard University
Monday, April 7, 10:30 a.m. - Noon
Dr. David Williams, is the Norman Professor of Public Health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. He is also a Professor of African and African American Studies at Harvard University. Previously, he was a professor at Yale University (6 years) and the University of Michigan (14 years).
He is a product of Christian education. He received his elementary and high school education at SDA schools in St Lucia. He is a graduate of the University of the Southern Caribbean (BTh), Andrews University (MDiv) and Loma Linda University (MPH). He received his PhD in Sociology from the University of Michigan.
Dr. Williams is an internationally recognized authority on social influences on health. He has been invited to keynote scientific conferences in Europe, Africa, Australia, the Middle East, South America, the Caribbean and across the U.S. The author of more than 600 scientific papers, his research has enhanced our understanding of the ways in which race, socioeconomic status, stress, racism, health behavior and religious involvement can affect physical and mental health.
Dr. Williams has received numerous honors and awards. He has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Royal College of Psychiatrists in the UK. He has been ranked as the Most Cited Black Scholar in the Social Sciences, worldwide, and as one of the World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds. Dr. Williams has been involved in the development of health policy at the national level in the U.S. and has served in an advisory capacity to both Republican and Democratic administrations. He has been featured in the national print and television media. His TED Talk has been translated into 22 languages and has over 2 million views.
Dr. Williams has worked for the SDA church as a high school teacher, student literature evangelist, and public health educator. For more than 10 years, he served on the board of Atlantic Union College and Loma Linda University. Currently, he is a member of the board of Oakwood University and Andrews University. Since 2014, he has also served as an Associate director of Health Ministries of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
TBA - Panel Discussion
Monday, April 7, 4:20 - 5:35 p.m.
Monday, April 7, 4:20 - 5:35 p.m.

"Navigating Surfaces and Voices in the Diagnostic Journey: Disability and the Work of Listening"
Brian Brock, DPhil
Professor of Moral and Practical Theology
School of Divinity, History, Philosophy and Art History
King's College, University of Aberdeen
Tuesday, April 8, 10:30 a.m. - Noon
Brian Brock, DPhil
Professor of Moral and Practical Theology
School of Divinity, History, Philosophy and Art History
King's College, University of Aberdeen
Tuesday, April 8, 10:30 a.m. - Noon