The Health Equity & Lifestyle Project Conference
A Day of Evidence, Conversation, and Action.
Exploring how lifestyle medicine and equitable food access can reverse the chronic-disease burden in the communities that carry it most.
August 28, 2026
University of California, Riverside (UCR)
School of Medicine Education Building II, Room 205
Kim Wilcox Dr E
Riverside, CA 92507
Meet A Few of The Speakers
Columbus Batiste, MD
Board-certified interventional cardiologist with Kaiser Permanente and co-founder of Healthy Heart Nation. He has been featured in numerous documentaries, articles, and podcasts focused on heart health, lifestyle medicine, and health equity.
Heart Healthy Nation
Danette Batiste
Danette is a community health innovator dedicated to transforming health outcomes through data‑driven strategy, cultural insight, and meaningful human connection. As the CEO & Cofounder of Healthy Heart Nation, she leads a national movement to reduce health disparities and expand preventive care access across six states.
Heart Healthy Nation
Juan Carlos Belliard, PhD
MichelleDr. Belliard oversees and coordinates Loma Linda University Health's community engagement. This includes the hospitals' community benefit program, the university's service learning, career pipeline and pathway programs, community health worker integration into healthcare, and community partnerships in general.
Loma Linda University Health
Michelle Burroughs, DHA, MPH
Michelle C. Burroughs, DHA, MPH, is an Assistant Clinical Professor, SMPPH and the Community Engagement and Outreach Director for the Center for Healthy Communities (CHC) at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) School of Medicine (SOM).
UC Riverside
Erin Edwards
Erin Edwards is the Executive Director of Blue Zones Project Riverside. Erin has nearly two decades of experience in policy, philanthropy, and nonprofit leadership, having recently served as a Riverside City Councilmember.
Blue Zones Project Riverside
Wade Forde
Pastor Wade Forde was born in Loma Linda, California, where he spent the early years of his life matriculating through Loma Linda Academy and later graduated from Redlands High School. After graduating from Redlands High School, Wade attended Oakwood College where, during his senior year, Wade accepted his calling to pursue Pastoral Ministry.
16th Street Church
Sean Hashmi, MD
Triple board-certified in internal medicine, nephrology, and obesity medicine.
Regional Medical Director for Lifestyle and Obesity Medicine at Kaiser Permanente. He empower patients and communities to take ownership of their health.
Kaiser Permanente
Mario Sims, PhD, FAHA
Professor of Social Medicine, Population and Public Health at UC Riverside School of Medicine and a leading researcher on the social determinants of cardiovascular health inequities. Former Chief Science Officer of the Jackson Heart Study,, & author of more than 270 peer-reviewed publications.
UC Riverside
Scott Stoll, MD, FABPMR
A board-certified physician and internationally recognized leader in lifestyle medicine and whole-food, plant-based nutrition. Co-founder of The Plantrician Project and the Power Of The Plate Conference, and a former member of the 1994 U.S. Olympic bobsled team.
Plantrician Project
Conference Agenda
August 28, 2026
Agenda is subject to change. Tap "Agenda & Speakers" below for the most up-to-date schedule
Sponsorship
If you would like to become a HELP Partner, or sponsor a scholarship for an attendee, please contact Tom Dunnam at The Plantrician Project at [email protected] or 561-810-6713
Travel and Logistics
Official Conference Location
University of California, Riverside (UCR)
School of Medicine Education Building II, Room 205 (SOM Bldg. II Rm. 205)
Kim Wilcox Drive E
Riverside, CA 92507
On-site conference check-in is set for Friday, August 28, 2026 beginning at 7:30 AM. The program will start at 8:30 AM and end at approximately 5:00 PM Refer to the Conference Agenda for details.
Local Accommodations
3649 Mission Inn Ave
Riverside, CA, 92501
Approximately 4 miles and 10 minutes from UC Riverside School of Medicine.
951.784.0300
Home2Suites by Hilton Riverside Downtown Convention Center
3870 5th Street
Riverside, California, 92501
Approximately 5 miles and 15 minutes from UC Riverside School of Medicine.
951-344-3100
Courtyard by Marriott Riverside UCR/Moreno Valley
1510 University Avenue
Riverside, California 92507
Approximately 2 miles and 8 minutes from UC Riverside School of Medicine.
951-276-1200
Air / Ground Transportation
Ontario International Airport (ONT) is the closest airport to UCR. It is approximately 17 miles away and a 35-minute drive (depending on traffic). Information on ground transportation can be found HERE.
John Wayne Airport (SNA) is a reasonable distance to UCR. It is approximately 48 miles away and a 1 hour and 15 minute-minute drive (depending on traffic). Information on ground transportation can be found HERE.
Long Beach Airport (LGB) is a reasonable distance to UCR. It is approximately 60 miles away and a 1 hour and 20 minute drive (depending on traffic). Information on ground transportation can be found HERE.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is a reasonable distance to UCR. It is approximately 72 miles away and a 1 hour and 30-minute drive (depending on traffic). Information on ground transportation can be found HERE.
San Diego International Airport (SAN) is a reasonable distance to UCR. It is approximately 100 miles away and a 1 hour and 45 minute drive (depending on traffic). Information on ground transportation can be found HERE.
UC Riverside SOM Parking
Parking in Lot #13 Blue!!
The all-day parking fee for participants is $15.
A ParkMobile link has been provided to secure your parking, https://app.parkmobile.io/venues/ucr-event-parking/events/301341.
The link will allow you to enter your license plate number to reserve your virtual parking permit.
* Step 1: Click on the link for your event
* Step 2: Enter your license plate in the “License Plate Number”
* Step 3: If the plate is non-California, select the appropriate state for the plate.
* Step 4: Press ‘Park’
* Once registered, you can go straight to the designated lot and color to park.
UCR interactive campus map, https://campusmap.ucr.edu/
Please note, The School of Medicine buildings are located on the backside of campus. The Waze app will pick up the symposium building location (Campus Drive) as well as parking lot #13 blue. “Event” signage will be displayed around campus to help direct attendees to parking.
The SOM ED-II building is located on Campus Drive. From lot #13 blue, please walk across Campus Drive, and turn left to walk uphill, then turn right at the first entry way to the building. Please check in with the receptionist upon entering the building.
Host City
Located 60 miles east of Los Angeles, Riverside is the bustling heart of the Inland Empire. It uniquely blends small-town charm with cosmopolitan energy. Famous as the birthplace of California's citrus industry, the city balances historic Spanish-revival architecture with a vibrant arts scene, excellent universities, and scenic mountain backdrops.
The city is defined by the historic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa. For outdoor adventures, you can enjoy hiking or cycling up Mount Rubidoux for panoramic city views, or strolling through the fragrant, historic orange groves at the California Citrus State Historic Park.
Help spread the word! Encourage your colleagues to visit the HELP website and sign up to receive conference updates. Better yet, urge them to register and join you for the 3rd annual HELP Conference!
We look forward to seeing you Friday, August 28, 2026 in Riverside, California on the campus of UC Riverside. In the meantime, if you have questions or need assistance, contact us at [email protected] or 561-810-6713.
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