Proposal submission for the 2023 Healthier Texas Summit is closed.

Presenters will be notified on the status of their proposal by Friday, June 9, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. CST. Authors will be notified if there is a delay.

Proposal submission is now open for the 2023 Healthier Texas Summit. Join us in “Uniting to Transform Health in Texas: Empowering Action for Systems Change”. It’s Time Texas and The University of Texas System welcome thought leaders and health champions to submit proposals to help further the conversation for change.

Presenting at the Healthier Texas Summit offers a notable opportunity to share knowledge, experiences, and ideas interprofessionally with likeminded advocates for health in Texas.

Proposals must be submitted by Sunday, May 22, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. CST. It's Time Texas will not accept late submissions or submissions in another format. Review the Proposal Submission Guidelines for full instructions.

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Submission Guidelines

Presentation proposals must be submitted using the required submission form by Sunday, May 22, 2023, at 5 p.m. CST. We will not accept late submissions or submissions in another format.

Tip: We recommend developing proposals off-line in Microsoft Word for ease of editing and copying/pasting the final version into the submission form.

Click here to download an editable version of the Proposal Submission Components.

Submission Components

Session Type

Skill Building Workshop (60/90 minutes):
Provides an in-depth interactive training to increase attendees’ knowledge and skills about a topic of interest to target audience. Submissions must show evidence that the workshop will engage attendees in learning and using best practices for adult learners. Attendees will leave with tools and resources.

  • Highly interactive
  • At least 2/3 of time should be interactive (i.e. polls, breakout groups, activity, etc.)
  • Maximum of 3 presenters
  • Diverse representation of sectors and demographics

Panel (60 minutes):
Provides a meaningful environment where subject matter experts can share knowledge and insights on a relevant topic in public health. Panelists are encouraged to represent multiple sectors and bring unique and diverse perspectives to the conversation.

  • Low interaction
  • At least 15 minutes for Q&A
  • 1 moderator
  • Maximum of 4 panelists
  • Diverse representation of sectors and demographics

Presentation Format* (60 minutes):
Provides an opportunity for attendees to hear the latest information from presenters on current research and/or public health practice. The topic can be a tool or practice, a data source, or method that is important to public health research or practice. Submissions must show evidence that the presentation will engage attendees in learning and using best practices for adult learners. Attendees will leave with tools and resources.

  • Medium interaction
  • At least 15 minutes for Q&A
  • 15-60 minute
  • Maximum of 3 presenters per session

* Speakers will potentially share up to a 60-minute session based on topic/theme, and will be at the discretion of the Healthier Texas Summit planning committee. Please submit proposal as if you were presenting for the full 60 minutes.

Session Title

  • Max of 8 words
  • Simple, catchy, strong keywords
  • Review tips for support

Session Description

  • Max of 80 words
  • Clear, simple sentences

Note: For a session to be eligible for Continuing Education Credit, each presenter or panelist must provide an abstract free of trade and/or commercial product names.

Objectives

  • Max of 50 words
  • 3 clear, measurable learning objectives that reflect the scope of the session, using verbs such as Explain, Demonstrate, Analyze, Formulate, Discuss, Compare, Differentiate, Describe, Name, Assess, Evaluate, Identify, Design, Define, or List

Note: DO NOT USE “To understand” or “To learn” as objectives, as they are not measurable.

Relevance, significance to theme, and track

  • Max of 200 words
  • Describe how this session is relevant, groundbreaking and/or significant to the theme and track

Audience Engagement

  • Max of 200 words
  • Describe how this session will engage your audience. Provide specifics on the use of instructional design best practices and the use of specific interventions (i.e. polls, activities, breakout groups, etc.) that meet diverse learning styles

Note: Does not apply to panel presentations

Resources and Tools

  • Attach evidence-based*, accessible resources and tools (i.e. handouts, literature) that connect to the learning objectives of the session. These resources will be provided to the attendees at the end of the presentation

Primary Audience

Select the top 2 audience sectors most likely to attend

  • Academic Research Institutes
  • Education (k-12 and Higher Education)
  • Government
  • Healthcare
  • NGOs (nonprofit, faith-based, coalitions, etc.)
  • Private Sector
  • Public Health

Place of Project, program, or research

Select the primary institution in which the project, program or research occurs.

  • Academic & Research Institution
  • Business
  • Clinical Setting
  • Community-based Setting (non-healthcare)
  • K-12 School
  • Other

Speaker Representation

  • Max of 100 words
  • Describe the diversity by sector and demographics amongst presenter(s) (moderator included):
  • Please select the Race(s) your proposed speakers identify with (choose all that apply):
    • White
    • Black/African American
    • Asian
    • American Indian/Alaska Native
    • Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
  • Do your speakers identify as Latino/a/e/x? (choose all that apply):
    • Yes
    • No
    • Prefer not to respond
  • Please enter the geographic location of each speaker (i.e. Austin Texas)
  • Please select the gender identities of your proposed speakers (choose all that apply):
    • Male
    • Female
    • Transgender
    • Non-Binary
    • Prefer not to respond
  • Please select the sectors of your proposed speakers (choose all that apply):
    • Academic Research Institution
    • Business/Workplace
    • Government
    • Healthcare
    • K-12 Education System
    • Non-Government Organization (non-profit, faith-based, coalition, etc.)
    • Other:

Speaker Details

  • List of Name, Title, Organization, and contact information for each presenter and moderator
  • Short biography for each speaker (100 words maximum)
  • Headshot for each speaker

Note: For a session to be eligible for Continuing Education Credit, each presenter or panelist must provide a signed Conflict of Interest (Disclosure) form with a relevant Qualification Statement (This form will be emailed to speakers whose submission is accepted)

Review Criteria

The Healthier Texas Summit planning committee will review proposals using the following criteria:

  1. Meets criteria of session type
  2. Title, description, objectives are clear, significant, and engaging
  3. Relevance, significance, and appropriateness to theme and track including policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change, cross-sector collaboration, scalable strategies, and advancing health equity
  4. Engages participants effectively
  5. Provides evidence-based resources and tools
  6. Clear connection to primary audiences
  7. Speakers are a diverse representation demographically and by sectors
  8. All speaker details were submitted

Important Information

  • An author may not submit more than two proposals and each proposal must be different.
  • Sales or marketing pitches within proposals for any session type are not allowed; these talks take away from the integrity of our event and are rarely well-received by conference attendees.
  • Authors submitting proposals are responsible for ensuring that all speakers listed on the proposal have been notified of the submission.
  • Speakers are expected to promote the event via LinkedIn, Twitter, and/or other communication channels with their network. The planning team will provide promotional materials.
  • You may review, modify, or withdraw your abstract any time before Sunday, May 22, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. CST.
  • Presenters will be notified on the status of their proposal by Friday, June 9, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. CST. Authors will be notified if there is a delay.
  • Accepted speakers are required to submit their slides by Friday, September 8, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. CST.
  • Accepted primary speakers and co-speakers will be provided with complimentary Summit registration.

For general presenter questions, please email HTS@itstimetexas.org.

Content Tracks

Effective Health Communication

Health communication plays an important role not just in disseminating health information, but also in influencing health behavior, supporting individuals’ desires for optimal health, improving communications between practitioners and the public, and facilitating collaboration. Sessions in this track will share key communication strategies that have demonstrated impact in health improvement at the individual, community, and institutional level.

We encourage session proposals that will highlight:

  • Use of storytelling and public narrative to catalyze action.
  • Specific tools and evidence-based practices used to assess organizational capacity to implement effective health communication and measure impact of health communication.
  • Utilization of both qualitative and quantitative data
  • Use of the Health Equity Guiding Principles of Inclusive Communication

Audience Types


Healthier Texas Summit attendees represent a variety of sectors including:

  • Academic Research Institutes
  • Education (k-12 and Higher Education)
  • Government
  • Healthcare
  • NGOs (nonprofit, faith-based, coalitions, etc.)
  • Private Sector
  • Public Health

Be a part of the conversation and share your expertise with professionals from multiple sectors across the state.

Apply Now
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2023 Sponsors


Sponsors play a critical role in making this event possible, as their support allows us to offer high-quality programming and engaging opportunities for attendees. If you haven't already done so, please take a few minutes to learn more about their great work.

Empower Partners

BlueCross and BlueShield of Texas
Texas Mutual Workers' Compensation Insurance

Equity Advocate

Amerigroup Logo

Wellness Warriors

St. David's Foundation
UTHealth Logo
It's Time Texas Logo
The University of Texas System
SNAP Logo, Healthier Texas Sponsor
BlueCross and BlueShield of Texas
Texas Mutual Workers' Compensation Insurance
Amerigroup Logo
GENE_LOCKUP_Primary_FullColor_RGB_square
St. David's Foundation
Humana Healthy Horizons
UTHealth Logo

To discuss the sponsorship opportunities and select the sponsorship level that best fits your company’s goals and needs, please contact:

Maggy Troup, Director of Development
Nathaniel Aranda, CFRE, Vice President of Development and Marketing

Summit Icon
Healthier Texas Summit

2023 Sponsors


Sponsors play a critical role in making this event possible, as their support allows us to offer high-quality programming and engaging opportunities for attendees. If you haven't already done so, please take a few minutes to learn more about their great work.

Empower Partners

BlueCross and BlueShield of Texas
Texas Mutual Workers' Compensation Insurance

Equity Advocate

Amerigroup Logo

Wellness Warriors

St. David's Foundation
UTHealth Logo
It's Time Texas Logo
The University of Texas System
SNAP Logo, Healthier Texas Sponsor
BlueCross and BlueShield of Texas
Texas Mutual Workers' Compensation Insurance
Amerigroup Logo
GENE_LOCKUP_Primary_FullColor_RGB_square
St. David's Foundation
Humana Healthy Horizons
UTHealth Logo

To discuss the sponsorship opportunities and select the sponsorship level that best fits your company’s goals and needs, please contact:

Maggy Troup, Director of Development
Nathaniel Aranda, CFRE, Vice President of Development and Marketing

Summit Icon
Healthier Texas Summit

2023 Sponsors


Sponsors play a critical role in making this event possible, as their support allows us to offer high-quality programming and engaging opportunities for attendees. If you haven't already done so, please take a few minutes to learn more about their great work.

Empower Partners

BlueCross and BlueShield of Texas
Texas Mutual Workers' Compensation Insurance

Equity Advocate

Amerigroup Logo

Wellness Warriors

St. David's Foundation
UTHealth Logo
It's Time Texas Logo
The University of Texas System
SNAP Logo, Healthier Texas Sponsor
BlueCross and BlueShield of Texas
Texas Mutual Workers' Compensation Insurance
Amerigroup Logo
GENE_LOCKUP_Primary_FullColor_RGB_square
St. David's Foundation
Humana Healthy Horizons
UTHealth Logo

To discuss the sponsorship opportunities and select the sponsorship level that best fits your company’s goals and needs, please contact:

Maggy Troup, Director of Development
Nathaniel Aranda, CFRE, Vice President of Development and Marketing

Summit Icon
Healthier Texas Summit

2023 Sponsors


Sponsors play a critical role in making this event possible, as their support allows us to offer high-quality programming and engaging opportunities for attendees. If you haven't already done so, please take a few minutes to learn more about their great work.

Empower Partners

BlueCross and BlueShield of Texas
Texas Mutual Workers' Compensation Insurance

Equity Advocate

Amerigroup Logo

Wellness Warriors

St. David's Foundation
UTHealth Logo
It's Time Texas Logo
The University of Texas System
SNAP Logo, Healthier Texas Sponsor
BlueCross and BlueShield of Texas
Texas Mutual Workers' Compensation Insurance
Amerigroup Logo
GENE_LOCKUP_Primary_FullColor_RGB_square
St. David's Foundation
Humana Healthy Horizons
UTHealth Logo

To discuss the sponsorship opportunities and select the sponsorship level that best fits your company’s goals and needs, please contact:

Maggy Troup, Director of Development
Nathaniel Aranda, CFRE, Vice President of Development and Marketing