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Immunize Kansas Coalition Supports Immunizations During Advocacy Day
Immunize Kansas Coalition (IKC) hosted their Advocacy Day at the Kansas State Capitol on January 25, 2024. Over 100 coalition members, partners, and community advocates joined together to share with lawmakers the vital role immunization plays in protecting Kansans against vaccine-preventable diseases.
The day was filled with various activities. It kicked off with a mock-role play training session prepared by IKC Chair, Amanda Applegate and Policy Chair, Heather Braum, on how to effectively speak with Kansas lawmakers. After the session, advocates felt confident and energized. They ventured to the Capitol to share educational literature with their senators and representatives about the benefits of immunization and built relationships along the way.
Later, IKC hosted a legislative lunch, allowing lawmakers to engage in conversation and meet their constituents – with over 150 in attendance! Following the lunch, the coalition held a press conference featuring esteemed speakers with diverse perspectives on how vaccines play a role in protecting those we love. IKC Executive Director, Geovannie Gone, LMAC, MS, welcomed speakers and guests: two representatives who are also health providers, Dr. John Eplee, and Dr. Melissa Oropeza, followed by Senator Kristen O’Shea, M.Ed; a representative of the faith community, Rev. Dr. Annie Ricker; and polio survivor, Martha Hodgesmith, JD.
As she spoke, Martha, reminded us how far we have come as she shared her perspective as a polio survivor, "I am here today to share a journey that reflects the story of vaccines in 20th and 21st America; that story is grounded in the partnership of science and public health."
At the end of the event, Dr. Ximena Garcia, the Governor’s Senior Advisor for Vaccine Equity, honored IKC by presenting a Governor’s Proclamation to Geovannie Gone, Executive Director, for the continuous immunization work IKC puts forth in protecting Kansans from vaccine-preventable diseases
As Kansas Public Health Pioneer, Samuel Crumbine once said "...the health of each one of us depends on the health of
all of us."
The day was filled with various activities. It kicked off with a mock-role play training session prepared by IKC Chair, Amanda Applegate and Policy Chair, Heather Braum, on how to effectively speak with Kansas lawmakers. After the session, advocates felt confident and energized. They ventured to the Capitol to share educational literature with their senators and representatives about the benefits of immunization and built relationships along the way.
Later, IKC hosted a legislative lunch, allowing lawmakers to engage in conversation and meet their constituents – with over 150 in attendance! Following the lunch, the coalition held a press conference featuring esteemed speakers with diverse perspectives on how vaccines play a role in protecting those we love. IKC Executive Director, Geovannie Gone, LMAC, MS, welcomed speakers and guests: two representatives who are also health providers, Dr. John Eplee, and Dr. Melissa Oropeza, followed by Senator Kristen O’Shea, M.Ed; a representative of the faith community, Rev. Dr. Annie Ricker; and polio survivor, Martha Hodgesmith, JD.
As she spoke, Martha, reminded us how far we have come as she shared her perspective as a polio survivor, "I am here today to share a journey that reflects the story of vaccines in 20th and 21st America; that story is grounded in the partnership of science and public health."
At the end of the event, Dr. Ximena Garcia, the Governor’s Senior Advisor for Vaccine Equity, honored IKC by presenting a Governor’s Proclamation to Geovannie Gone, Executive Director, for the continuous immunization work IKC puts forth in protecting Kansans from vaccine-preventable diseases
As Kansas Public Health Pioneer, Samuel Crumbine once said "...the health of each one of us depends on the health of
all of us."
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Immunize Kansas Coalition
© 2015 -
Immunize Kansas Coalition is an independent 501(c)(3) non profit organization.
| © 2015 -Immunize Kansas Coalition is an independent 501(c)(3) non profit organization.
Supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $79,278,482 with 100% funded by the CDC/HHS.
The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, the CDC/HHS, the U.S. Government, or the Office of the Kansas Governor. For more information, please visit https://www.cdc.gov. [revision 10/01/21].