Planetary Health
Date & Time:
Sun, Jan 26, 2025, 9:45 am
Venue: American Swedish Institute
Cost: Free with registration
Planetary Health is a solutions-oriented, transdisciplinary field and social movement that addresses human disruptions to Earth’s natural systems. In this session, we’ll explore the five domains of the planetary health framework and how they can help transform all sectors to ensure a future that works for all, especially for those experiencing the first and worst impacts of climate change.
About the Speakers
Teddie Potter, PhD, RN, FAAN, FNAP is deeply committed to climate change and planetary health education. Dr. Potter is the inaugural director of the Center for Planetary Health and Environmental Justice at the School of Nursing at the University of Minnesota and a Fellow in the Institute on the Environment at the University.
She is a board member of the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments and the Planetary Health Report Card. She is a member of the American Academy of Nursing Environment and Public Health Expert Panel and the Coordinating Committee of Columbia University’s Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education, and the Steering Committee of the Planetary Health Alliance (PHA). She serves on the National Academy of Medicine’s Action Collaborative on Decarbonizing the US Health Sector; the Health and Medicine Division of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM); and the Climate Crossroads committee of NASEM.
Her most recent work is working with the International Council of Nurses to promote Nursing for Planetary Health.
Jo Bjorgaard is a dedicated leader in public and planetary health, bringing over a decade of experience in partnering with health systems and communities to create impactful climate solutions. Currently the Senior Climate & Health Manager at the Climate Advocacy Lab as well as being an independent consultant, Jo focuses on the critical connections between climate change and human health.
She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Health Innovation and Leadership and is a former Harvard C-CHANGE Climate and Health Organizing Fellow, as well as a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. Passionate about educating communities on planetary health, Jo has delivered numerous trainings and presentations at hospitals, academic institutions, and conferences. Through her work, she applies quality improvement methodologies and systems thinking to drive systemic change, fostering resilience and sustainability in health practices.
Jothsna Harris is the founder of Change Narrative, which exists to build capacity in the climate justice movement through the power of our stories. Through a coaching practice, Jothsna works with front-line leaders, legislators, artists, organizations, and community groups to craft climate narratives to advocate for solutions.
With a decade of experience, Jothsna has designed and implemented award-winning climate change programs rooted in community, centering personal stories and other values-based ways that resonate, coaching thousands of people to find compelling narratives to share at live events, on radio, and in print media.
Jothsna led the creative process and co-edited the 2020 book Eyewitness: Minnesota Voices on Climate Change, is the Producer of the 2022 MN Fringe Festival ‘Venue Pick’ show Changing the Narrative: Climate Stories for Justice, and the recipient of the 2023 Creative Climate Communications Award from the Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership.
Jothsna is named a 2023 Obama USA Leader, part of a cohort of 100 changemakers across the Nation working to strengthen democracy. Jothsna currently serves on The Great Northern Festival Board of Directors.
Rev. Dr. Alika Galloway: “My ongoing work is in the identification and healing of trauma and
internalized racism through an interdisciplinary and intersectional lens. I am passionate about
planetary health and co-creating a future where the earth is honored as a beloved and revered
manifestation of Creators love.”
Pastor Alika is one of the creative visionaries for a community
gathering entitled: Healing the Planet – Healing Ourselves where the community joined in
conversation about the interrelatedness of healing and the vital importance of healing the
earth so that all creation may be healed! An Eco-Womanist Alika is also Co-Pastor of Liberty
Community Church PCUSA. She holds a Master of Divinity from the Interdenominationall
Theological Center in Womanist Ethics and World Religions.
Dr. Galloway is the Editor of the
book: Living Waters, Living Stories. A Bush Fellow, Alika serves as the CEO of the Northside
Healing Space; a safe place to rest, remember, revive, and resist dehumanization. NHS has its
roots in co-creating safe and restorative places for persons engaged in the survival sex trade to
heal and recover as well as the community to heal from racialized trauma: she is also the
creative founder of the 21st Century Academy, an Out of School Time initiative to assist K-12
grade children to bridge the opportunity gap and dream of a future of wholeness and
abundance. Nationally known as a Womanist Scholar and expert in health disparities affecting
African American females, she received a Doctorate from Virginia Union University, her
dissertation addressed the care and healing of African American persons who identify as female
who are victims of sexual violence and the commercial sex trade.