How does accessibility influence continued education opportunities? For today’s students and early-career professionals, it is paramount to their ability to engage, network, and grow both academically and professionally. The International Symposium to Advance Total Worker Health® was created for this very reason, with this principle at its core. The Symposium’s mission is to engage participants through unity and excellence.
This year’s 4th International Symposium to Advance Total Worker Health ®, hosted by the Centers for Health, Work & Environment of the Colorado School of Public Health, reduced barriers to participation by awarding 35 scholarships to students and early-career professionals. Scholarships were made possible through the support of the David Lynch Institute, the Society for Total Worker Health™, the Global Recovery Initiatives Foundation, and the Centers for Health, Work & Environment. Total Worker Health (TWH) is a growing community of students, early-career, and long-standing professionals united by a shared commitment to advancing worker health.
We asked scholarship recipients to reflect on how the award shaped their participation in the Symposium and what they will carry forward into their work. Here is what they had to say:
Q: How did the scholarship make your participation possible, and what impact did that opportunity have on you?
“This scholarship was essential in making my virtual participation feasible. As a student/early-career professional, the financial barrier to attending an international symposium is significant. Removing that barrier provided me with the opportunity to learn from professionals at the forefront of TWH research and practice.”
– Cameron Malby, MPH
“The scholarship allowed me to present two of my case studies and meet professionals in the field that I may not have otherwise.” – Amanda Hiner, MS
Q: What’s one insight or piece of advice you’ll carry forward from the Symposium?
“That real progress in worker well-being comes from consistency and not necessarily complexity.” – Emma Vosika, MS
“The notion of moving from values to measurement and accountability within organizations.” – Megan Miskovsky, MS
Q: Who or what inspired you most during the event?
“As a workforce researcher, I was inspired by the interactive nature of the event that included a wide array of committed and talented academics and industry experts in occupational health.” – Letycia Nunez-Argote, PhD
Q: Looking back, what does being part of the TWH community mean to you now?
“I now see that Total Worker Health really is a community because they’re working toward a shared goal and demonstrate that they value each other’s work and perspectives.” – Randi McArthur
“It has become completely clear now, that the TWH community is part of a movement. This is just as much about steering the ship as it is about getting more people on board.” – Elizabeth Bachrad, MS
Q: How has attending the Symposium influenced your academic, professional, or personal goals?
"As a member of a TWH Center, I live Total Worker Health every day, however the Symposium provided the opportunity for me to hear about the incredible work being done by others." – Matthew Brennan, MPH
Through the experiences of our scholarship recipients, we were reminded why convenings like the International Symposium to Advance Total Worker Health® are so important, especially during a changing era for public health and the world of work. By investing in accessibility and emerging leaders, we strengthen our collective ability to build community, transform learning into action, and advance a healthier, more supportive future for workers everywhere.
Interested in being part of the 5th International Symposium to Advance Total Worker Health® in 2028? Follow the Symposium on LinkedIn for updates, opportunities to participate, and the latest news from the TWH community.
Thank You to the 2025 TWH Symposium Partners, Sponsors & Symposium Team
The success of the 4th International Symposium to Advance Total Worker Health® was made possible through the generous support of our partners and sponsors, including the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Society for Total Worker Health™, Ardmore Institute of Health Full Plate Living, David Lynch Foundation, and the Global Recovery Initiatives Foundation.
Our sincere thanks to every member of the Symposium Planning Team for their creativity, adaptability, and commitment to advancing the mission of TWH. Their work brought together researchers, practitioners, and organizations from around the world to share ideas, spark innovation, and strengthen the future of worker well-being.
About the Centers for Health, Work & Environment
The Centers for Health, Work & Environment (CHWE) educates and trains future leaders, conducts research, and designs and implements practical solutions to occupational safety and health challenges. CHWE collaborates with faculty, students, and community partners to advance worker health, safety, and well-being. Part of the Colorado School of Public Health, it is home to one of 10 nationwide Centers of Excellence for Total Worker Health®, the Mountain & Plains Education and Research Center (MAP ERC), and the Climate Impacts on Worker Health & Safety (CIWHS) Center. CHWE is located at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado.
