How does the health of an individual relate to the health of a community? Whose health is the building industry responsible for? The public health impact of buildings doesn’t begin or end at a sliding door. Building scale decisions can impact health across a variety of populations, time, and geographical scales. By reframing building and community health, we can identify more effective and cohesive strategies to support health and wellness for all.

On December 14, the USGBC Summit on Bridging Occupant & Community Health will look at key questions in promoting health for occupants and communities:
• What does leadership in this space look like?
• Health for whom? How is equity at the center of this conversation?
• What are practical tips professionals can take away and apply today to move this forward?
• What next-generation technologies will help us close the gap between concept and practice?
 

Professionals from complementary fields, Building Health and Public Health, will come together to discuss a 'community of practice' approach. Each session will be followed by a hosted conversation that integrates engagement opportunities. Attendees will be both experts and contributors; please come ready to contribute to the discussion as well as learn from our speakers.

Save the date for a full day of high-level engagement with keynote speakers, advanced case studies, new technology, and explorations of emerging topics.

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For more information contact Melanie Colburn, USGBC Director of Market Transformation & Development.

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Who can attend?  

This event is hosted by USGBC’s Pacific Region, but all are welcome to attend. We are pleased to extend a discount to all corporate and individual USGBC members.

 

Are there sponsorship opportunities?  

We welcome your support and partnership. Reach out to Melanie Colburn, USGBC Director of Market Transformation & Development (mcolburn@usgbc.org). 

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Will this be in-person or virtual?  

The event will be fully virtual to support public health priorities. But don’t worry, we plan to have a host of engagement opportunities for our virtual participants. We will use Zoom to connect.  

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Who are the organizers? 

This effort was led by USGBC Northern California in collaboration with a working group of market leaders.  

• Mara Baum, FAIA, LEED Fellow, EDAC, WELL AP, Partner Architecture + Sustainability at DIALOG; USGBC Northern California Building Health Chair

• Anthony Bernheim, LEED Fellow, Healthy & Resilient Buildings Program Manager, San Francisco International Airport; USGBC Northern California MLAB Co-Chair

• Seema Bhangar, Ph.D., Senior Indoor Air Quality Manager, WeWork

• Melanie Colburn, Director of U.S. Market Transformation & Development, U.S. Green Building Council

• Adele Houghton, AIA, MPH, LEED AP; Biositu, LLC and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

• Kari Leif, LEED GA, WELL AP, Health Strategy Manager, View, Inc.

• Victoria Michalchuk, Ph.D., NP, Apple’s Occupational Health

• Kirsten Ritchie, Principal and Global Director of Climate Action & Sustainability, Gensler

• Advisor  |  Chris Pyke, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Arc

 

Will there be resources available about the summit?

Yes, we have compiled information about and from the presentations that will be sent to all of the participants and is available HERE.

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Will continuing education credits be available? 

Yes, we will be offering GBCI and AIA continuing education hours for most sessions. The program descriptions will be updated as courses are approved.

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Facing financial hardship and would like to attend?

USGBC Local Community Members facing financial hardship are eligible for a discounted ticket. This opportunity is available to all active USGBC members, including both students and non-students. Please e-mail Melanie Colburn with a brief explanation of need.

 

How can I help promote the Summit? 

Thank you for helping to spread the word! Invite your colleagues and share with your network on social media.

 

Can you remind me how to join the Summit? I registered but can’t find my log-in information.

Thank you for registering. You will receive the Zoom log-in information a few different ways: as a calendar invite from USGBC and through the Eventbrite registration page. You will receive a reminder email from Eventbrite. If you have questions about Zoom beyond this, please email Suzanne Haerther.

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ARTICLES

• Boosting home and office wellness with IAQ

• Better IEQ begins at the ceiling

• USGBC's Pacific region hosts summit on bridging occupant and community health

• Sessions announced for Bridging Occupant and Community Health Summit

• Speakers announced for Bridging Occupant and Community Health Summit