Georgia Southern hosts inaugural Georgia One Health Symposium
The Institute for Health Logistics & Analytics (IHLA) at Georgia Southern University welcomed One Health professionals from across Georgia and neighboring states to the inaugural Georgia One Health Symposium on Sept. 3-4.
One Health is a collaborative approach that recognizes the health of people, animals, plants and the environment are interconnected. For example, stronger collaboration among agricultural, environmental and public health professionals could help prevent food safety risks before they ever reach the public.
Earlier this year, the Institute received a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists to establish Georgia’s first One Health Consortium. The initiative brings together leaders from industry, government and academia to forge lasting partnerships and strengthen health across the state.
IHLA Director Jessica Schwind, Ph.D., emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration.
“Working with people in different sectors is critical to the One Health approach and the mission of the IHLA,” she said. “We have to break down traditional silos to fully understand the complex challenges we face and to build stronger, more effective solutions. I am thrilled to see so many dedicated professionals coming together to advance this work.”
The two-day symposium opened with a networking reception at Interconnected: A One Health Exploration, an exhibit currently featured at the Georgia Southern University Museum. The following day included sessions, networking opportunities and strategic planning on Georgia Southern’s Statesboro Campus.
“I have long hoped for someone to step forward and lead Georgia toward better health for all populations by bringing together those who recognize the benefits and utility of the One Health approach,” said symposium participant Chris Hall, Ph.D., director of the One Health Center at Berry College. “All Georgians benefitted from the relationships and collaborations developed over these exciting two days of meetings at Georgia Southern.”
The event featured a panel discussion on zoonotic diseases, policy and governance with representatives from the Georgia Department of Public Health and the Georgia Department of Agriculture, moderated by Schwind.
Late-morning programming included University Lightning Rounds, where representatives from seven academic institutions highlighted their One Health initiatives. Afternoon sessions explored a range of topics, including food safety, disaster preparedness, mental health, and technology and innovation.
“This is only the beginning,” said IHLA Project Manager Jill Johns. “At the conclusion of the symposium, we set concrete goals for the consortium to tackle together in the year ahead.”The Georgia One Health Symposium marks the beginning of a new era of statewide collaboration, uniting experts around a shared mission: improving health for people, animals, plants and the environment. For more information on the consortium or the institute, visit the website here.
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