Update from SOPHE President Heidi Hancher-Rauch
This time last week, I was navigating Capitol Hill, meeting with four legislative aides and delivering materials to two additional offices. It was the exciting culmination of the hard work everyone invested in the previous 48 hours of training, planning, and meeting preparation.
During these sessions, I was privileged to attend several outstanding presentations. These included one from Brian Castrucci of the deBeaumont Foundation, who spoke on rebuilding public trust, and another from Malynnda Stewart, who challenged us to find new ways to bridge community divides. These were just two of the excellent sessions, and I wish I could have attended every breakout offered. The topics were timely and creative, covering everything from using artificial intelligence for advocacy and reframing misinformation to analyzing how Taylor Swift’s music can align with advocacy messaging. The ideas and work shared get better every year I attend—and I have been attending for many years.
What was my main takeaway from this year’s Summit? For me, it was the excitement and hope embodied by the next generation of health advocates. The students who attend this annual event bring an energy and a passion that reminds me of my own reasons for being part of this work. During my presentation on preparing our legislative “asks” for Capitol Hill, I prompted attendees to consider THEIR “Why.” If you have never explored your own “Why,” I highly recommend Simon Sinek’s book, Start with Why, or a simple internet search for practical steps to define it.
During a time when it is easy to feel defeated by the state of the world, it is incredibly helpful to remember the “Why” behind our work. For me, it is about inspiring young people to engage with the world around them, pay attention to current events, and get involved. When students who previously paid little attention to the news begin bringing in articles to initiate class discussions about public health, I feel an incredible sense of excitement. I can see the “light bulbs” illuminate as they explore the importance of politics, decision-making, and advocacy for their own health and that of their families. For me, that is my professional “Why,” my reason for being an educator.
If you attended the SOPHE Advocacy Summit this past month, I hope it “filled your cup” as it did mine, and that you were reminded of the “Why” behind the important work you do every day.
Additionally, we will host a virtual debriefing on Thursday November 6 at 3 pm eastern for attendees interested in gathering to discuss our experiences on the Hill. We hope to see you there. For those who were unable to attend this year, I strongly encourage you to watch for SOPHE announcements and block your calendar as soon as the 2026 Summit dates are released. It is truly an event you do not want to miss.
