Fourteen students from Illinois State University joined students from across the state on Wednesday, April 5, for IPHA’s Student Day in Springfield to explore the role advocacy plays in public health work and policy.

During the event, students heard from IPHA staff, Illinois state Sen. Doris Turner, former president of Cook-Witter, Inc., Randal Witter, and Budget & Legislative Staff Member Luke Henson. Students learned about the importance of building relationships with their local representatives, the process staffers use to support different pieces of legislation, and how to effectively advocate for public health initiatives and policies. Each of the speakers acknowledged advocacy and collaboration as keys to advancing public health policies and initiatives across the state at all levels of government.

Following the day’s events, ISU students and faculty visited the Capitol building for a quick tour through the rotunda and House Gallery.

The Advocacy Day trip was the highlight of a week of activities by Central Illinois AHEC and the ISU Department of Health Sciences to celebrate National Public Health Week, April 3-7 Other events included a health fair and a screening of the film Bending the Arc, which focuses on the efforts of the organization Partners in Health to address global health disparities.