Community Events

This day-long celebration of Native American culture features demonstrations, workshops, talks, and displays at Handsell’s Chicone Village, which includes a Native dwelling house, work shelter, and garden. It’s a must-see, family-friendly event that brings history to life.

2026 Empowering Health Conference
Bridging the Future of Health: Empowering Communities through Technological Preparedness, Innovation, & Accessibility

Thursday, May 7, 2026 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Virtual on Zoom
Free & Open to the Public
Learn more → https://marylandersonline.umd.edu/2026-health-technology-conference/
Register by May 6, 2026: https://umd.zoom.us/meeting/register/YuA3UFUrTYqtdKSYiyQwmA

The 2026 Empowering Health Conference invites you to step beyond digital literacy and into a proactive, future-ready mindset. As emerging tools like AI, VR, and remote monitoring systems shift from the "future" to the "now," we must ask: are our systems, our workforce, and our communities prepared?

This year, we explore how to harness global innovations to break local barriers, ensuring that the next wave of health technology is as equitable and sustainable as it is advanced. This theme empowers participants to become active leaders in the digital health revolution.

Conference Topics

• Securing the Future of Health: AI Governance, Cyber Readiness, and Institutional Accountability
• Building the Next Health Frontier: Decoding Emerging Tech Trends
• Universal Innovation: Advancing AI Without Leaving Communities Behind
• Practical AI Integration for Health Education: Enhancing Learning with Human-Centered Technology
• The Future of Work in Health: Human + AI Collaboration in Workforce Development

Global Digital Health in Action: UMD SPH Capstone Innovations
By bridging the gap between current practices and future capabilities, the conference will examine the critical systems, workforce development, and ethical oversight needed to navigate this new frontier, ensuring that technological leaps remain grounded in human-centered care.

For questions or reasonable accommodations, please contact Marylanders Online by emailing MarylandersOnline@umd.edu or calling 1-866-206-8467 by April 7th.