The Health Equity Committee will meet on May 21, 2026 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. virtually. The meeting will feature a presentation on Racial Health Equity Legal and Policy Cohort Opportunity and Successes – Network for Public Health Law by Sara Rogers. We will also have interactive presentations on Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AANHPI) and American Indian Month in Minnesota with participants sharing the names of AANHPI and American Indian public health champions. Following the presentations, there will be dedicated time for meaningful discussion, connection and networking, participant updates, and reports on committee and MPHA activities.
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Racial Health Equity Legal and Policy Cohort Opportunity and Successes – Network for Public Health Law
The Network’s Racial Health Equity Legal and Policy Cohort (RHE Cohort) is a comprehensive legal technical assistance opportunity that helps public health departments, community organizations, and advocates strategically use the power of law and policy to advance their racial health equity goals through tailored one-on-one support, training, and peer learning.
RHE Cohort’s recently released call for applications to support work on racial health equity that would benefit from legal policy technical assistance. Selected participants will receive up to 40 hours of tailored legal and technical assistance from a dedicated team of experts between September 2026 and April 2027.
At this meeting, Sara Rogers will share information about the Cohort model, previous cohort projects and the new application process.
Presenter:
Sara Rogers, M.P.H, C.P.H, Senior Policy Analyst, Health Equity, Network for Public Health Law.
Sara is a senior policy analyst at the Network for Public Health Law. Her work centers on the role public health can play in advancing equity, racial and health equity policies, and community-driven solutions. Sara leads and manages several key partnerships and initiatives, including the East Side Health and Well-being Collaborative in St. Paul and the Collaborative for Anti-Racism and Equity (CARE). Sara began her career in the United States Peace Corps serving as an English Language Teacher in Bulgaria. She has held positions at the Minnesota Department of Human Services, the International Rescue Committee, and the Public Health Law Center. Sara earned her B.A. and MPH from the University of Minnesota and is Certified in Public Health by the National Board of Public Health Examiners.
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MPHA Health Equity Committee also include dedicated time following the presentation for meaningful discussion, connection and networking, participant updates, and reports on committee and MPHA activities.
Meetings are scheduled for the 3rd Thursday of the month from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Currently all meetings are virtual. Meetings are open to MPHA members and non-members who want to learn more and take action on advancing health equity in Minnesota.
For more information about the Health Equity Committee, please email healthequity@mpha.net and we will get back to you! The committee is co-chaired by Rodolfo Gutierrez, Erica Fishman, and Sara Rogers.