Webinar: Why health equity is good for business

Social determinants of health (SDOH) have long been a large part of the national health care conversation. Rightly so, as this set of systemic, societal challenges impacts employee health—and health care costs for companies across the country.

Join our conversation to learn about SDOH and how they affect businesses of all sizes. Ellen Beckjord, PhD, MPH, vice president of Population Health and Clinical Optimization at UPMC Health Plan, leads this engaging discussion with UPMC’s top thought leaders in the SDOH space. The panel shares actionable social impact strategies that employers can use to zero in on ways to better gauge their employees’ needs and help improve their physical and emotional well-being.

Watch the webinar

About the speakers:

Ellen Beckjord, VP, Population Health and Clinical Optimization

Dr. Beckjord is a behavioral scientist, epidemiologist, and licensed clinical psychologist. She strives to harness the power of connectivity to promote authentic connections and place health, peace, and abundance within reach of all.

Dr. Beckjord was named one of Managed Healthcare Executive’s 2021 “Emerging Health Leaders.” She was also the 2021 Ragan Top Women in Wellness and HR awardee for Behavioral Health.

Dan LaVallee, Sr. Director, UPMC Center for Social Impact

Mr. LaVallee is senior director of the UPMC Center for Social Impact. Among his responsibilities is leading UPMC’s Pathways to Work program, which provides workforce training and educational opportunities to individuals who are on Medicaid. Before joining UPMC Health Plan, Mr. LaVallee ran for Congress (2014)—becoming one of the youngest people in recent decades to do so.

He is a co-chair of United Way’s campaign across the region, and he was recently appointed by Gov. Tom Wolf to the Slippery Rock University Council of Trustees. In 2019, Mr. LaVallee was named one of Pittsburgh Magazine’s “40 under 40” and Managed Healthcare Executive’s “10 Emerging Leaders.”

Johanna Vidal-Phelan, MD, MBA, FAAP
Chief Medical Officer, Quality

Dr. Vidal-Phelan is chief medical officer of the Quality Department for the UPMC Insurance Services Division (ISD), making her responsible for the department’s clinical strategy and related operations. She is also highly engaged in the development and evaluation of strategies and related interventions for the ISD’s diversity and equity initiatives.

In addition, Dr. Vidal-Phelan is a clinical assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Dr. Vidal-Phelan has more than 20 years of experience in clinical practice and has been a thought leader in the fields of value-based care, population health, care management, and SDOH. She was awarded the Al Día Top Doctor Award in January 2021 for her advocacy work during the COVID-19 pandemic.