WELCOME TO IGNITE CONVENING 2025
Student-Centered Solutions for a Resilient Healthcare Workforce
IGNITE Convening is a one-day convening hosted by the IGNITE Mentoring & Leadership Program at the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health. As Oregon prepares for a new statewide Healthcare Industry Consortium, this convening ensures that student voices and grassroots innovation help shape that effort.
Together, we will elevate the experiences of undergraduate and graduate pre-health students and highlight innovative, equity-driven programs that support diverse training pathways. Our purpose is to foster collaboration across universities, community colleges, healthcare employers, and public health agencies, while launching the Oregon Pre-Health Student Advisory Board to ensure students have a voice in statewide workforce planning.
Important Details
Date of event: Wednesday, January 14th, 2026
Time: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm PST (breakfast starts at 8:30 am)
Location: Portland State University – Smith Memorial Student Union (SMSU)
Room 355 (Ballroom)
825 SW Broadway,
Portland, OR 97201
Getting to the event: Public transit and parking resources.
Please note: Public access to SMSU start at 8am to the doors on SW Broadway. All other doors require PSU card access.
CONFERENCE AGENDA
Conference agenda will be posted soon.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Dr. Carlos Crespo
Dean, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago
Dr. Carlos Crespo’s main area of research involves the epidemiology of physical activity in the prevention of chronic diseases, and research on minority health issues. He lists more than 100 publications and has been a contributing author to five textbooks on minority health and sports medicine, and more than 30 government reports, including the Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health. He received the 1997 U.S. Secretary of Health Award for Distinguished Service as part of the Salud para su Corazon campaign, and in 2003 became a Health Disparities and Minority Health Scholar from the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities at NIH. He has served in the Board of Trustees for the American College of Sports Medicine, Oregon Health Policy Board, and the Executive Leadership Team of the NIH Diversity Program Consortium. He currently serves in a CDC Advisory Committee for the Community Guide for Physical Activity, and the Physical Activity Alliance Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee. He is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal Cities and Health.
MODERATED BY
Shandee Dixon, PhD
Dr. Dixon is an Associate Scientist at the Oregon Clinical & Translational Research Institute (OCTRI), as well as a Co-Investigator, faculty lead, career mentor, and research learning community (RLC) coordinator for the URISE and BUILD EXITO undergraduate research training programs at Portland State University. She holds a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from the University of Michigan, and her current research focuses on advocating for support and inclusion of aspiring scientists and health care professionals from marginalized and underrepresented backgrounds in STEAMM. Additionally, Dr. Dixon serves as the Research Thread Director for the Wy’east Post-Baccalaureate Pathway at the Northwest Native American Center of Excellence (NNACoE) and the Assistant Director of Cancer Research Education and Training at the Knight Cancer Institute at OHSU. When not working, she enjoys spending time with family, singing karaoke, and playing board games with her partner and two kittens.
PANELIST & SPEAKERS
Senior Associate Dean of Academic Operations, Associate Professor
Community Health, Senior Consultant
Kaiser Permanente, Northwest
Associate Professor of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Assistant Dean for Native American Health, Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Director, Northwest Native American Center of Excellence
Healthy Native Youth Project Manager, Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board – Northwest Tribal Epidemiology Center Adolescent Health team
Executive Director, Portland All Nations Canoe Family
CEO, COR
SEE YOU AT THE CONVENING
Have Question? Contact Carlos A. Quatela
quatela@ohsu.edu or Call 503-725-8355
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who Will Be Attending?
- Pre-health and public health students
- Advisors, educators, and program directors
- Community college and university partners
- Healthcare employers and training programs (e.g., medical, nursing, dental, allied health)
- Representatives from state and local health agencies, including HECC and OHA
Parking Locations
Parking Structure One (1872 SW Broadway, Portland, Oregon 97201) – Closest to the main venue Smith Memorial Student Union
Parking Structure Two (1724 SW Broadway, Portland, Oregon 97201) – Close to the main venue Smith Memorial Student Union
Note: Public access to SMSU are the doors on Broadway. All other doors require PSU card access.
Public Transportation
Public Transport to Venue: Trimet Trip Planner
Enter your desired location and Trimet will determine route options per your current location below is a list of several key identified stop ID’s.
- Portland State University Urban Center/SW 5th & Mill Max Station: Stop ID 7618 (0.2 miles away from SMSU)
- SW 5th & Harrison bus stop: Stop ID 7602 (0.2 miles away from SMSU)
- SW 5th & Hall bus stop: Stop ID 10491 (0.2 miles away from SMSU)
The conference location is Smith Memorial Student Union (SMSU) Ballroom (3rd Floor) at Portland State University
Address: 1825 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97201
Note: Public access to SMSU are the doors on Broadway. All other doors require PSU card access.
ADA Accessibility Information
ADA Requests
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accommodations are available. The Registration Form asks if you need an accommodation due to a disability to fully participate or enjoy the conference. If you select “yes” or ‘maybe” on the Registration Form, a staff person will reach out. If you want to modify your response or have questions, email us at cquatela@pdx.edu.
Accessibility on Portland public transportation (Trimet)
Boarding Trimet with a mobility device
If you use a wheelchair or scooter or have limited mobility, please read Trimet’s instructions for boarding:
- Instructions for boarding the bus with a mobility device
- Instructions for boarding MAX with a mobility device
ADA Accessible Entrances to Smith Memorial Student Union
Restrooms, Quiet/Prayer Room & Lactation Space Information
Gendered, ADA-Accessible Restrooms are available on either side of the Smith Ballroom (3rd floor), where the event is happening
All-Gender Restrooms
Smith Memorial Student Union
- Mezzanine 337 & 338, single occupancy
- 4th floor, multi-stall: just past the Queer Resource Center (from elevators)
Fariborz Maseeh Hall (PSU ID access door)
- 206, multi-stall
Cramer Hall (PSU ID access door)
- 181, single occupancy (next to Reuse Room)
- 405, multi-stall
*A link to more gender-neutral restrooms on campus can be found here: https://www.pdx.edu/queer-resource-center/trans-and-queer-resources
Quiet/Prayer Rooms
We understand that students may want to take additional space throughout our event for breaks, religious observations, or other individual needs. We encourage you to take care of yourself and take breaks throughout each day as needed.
The following spaces can be utilized for these needs:
- Quiet Prayer & Meditation Lounge: Smith Basement RM 047
Lactation Space
If you require access to a lactation space while in Smith, there is a room adjacent to the ballroom. Please speak to a staff member at check-in, and we can provide you with the code.
Restrooms, Quiet/Prayer Room & Lactation Space Information Document
Campus Safety
PSU is committed to the safety and security of students, faculty, and guests who come to Portland State University.
PSU Campus Public Safety
PSU has a Campus Public Safety Office (CPSO) that provides emergency response, safety escorts, and patrol services to the campus 24/7.
Reporting a Crime or Emergency
There are two ways for SRA attendees to report a crime or emergency of any kind:
Report to PSU’s Campus Public Safety Office
- Emergency: 503-725-5911
- Non-emergency: 503-725-4407
Report directly to the Portland Police Bureau
- Emergency: 9-1-1
- Non-emergency: 503-823-3333
- PSU will assist victims in notifying the Portland Police Bureau if assistance is requested
Safety Escorts
The Campus Safety Escort Service is safe and easy to use. The service is free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to students, faculty, staff, and guests. There are two ways to get a safety escort:
- Call the Campus Public Safety Office at 503-725-4407
- Stop by Campus Public Safety at 633 SW Montgomery Street, Portland, OR 97201 (located on Broadway & Montgomery) to request a safety escort in person.
If you do not have a cell phone or are unable to make calls on your cell phone while at PSU, you may contact Campus Public Safety using an Emergency Blue Light Phone. These phones are located all over campus and connect the caller directly to PSU’s Campus Public Safety Office.
Connect To Wifi
PSU offers secure and nonsecure wireless networks on campus.
Visit the PSU Wireless Network (WIFI) page for more information.