BCPH Awards Gala 2026 — Boston Congress of Public Health

Stronger Together. Healthier Together.

Celebrate the BCPH Awards Gala

Boston Public Health Gala 2026

May 21, 2026

5:00 – 7:30 PM ET

~150 Leaders & Changemakers

1 Main Street, Cambridge, MA

About the Gala

An Evening of Celebration & Connection

The BCPH Awards Gala brings together public health leaders, scholars, innovators, funders, and changemakers for an evening of celebration, recognition, and connection.

This event marks BCPH's fifth anniversary and honors winners from 2022–2026 across several signature recognitions. It also highlights the 40 Under 40 Public Health Catalyst Awards as a central part of the celebration.

New for 2026

BCPH Community Portal

An exclusive online space for BCPH honorees, board members, and confirmed gala attendees to connect and stay engaged year-round. Browse the awardee directory, member feed, gala agenda, speakers, board, and more.

  • Connect with 210+ BCPH honorees, 2022–2026
  • Browse the searchable awardee directory and member feed
  • See the full board of directors, current and emeritus
  • Access the full gala agenda, speakers, and sponsorship details

Access is limited to BCPH awardees (2022–2026) and confirmed gala attendees.

Evening Program

Gala Agenda

A 2.5-hour celebration of public health leadership, featuring a networking reception, welcome remarks, our 2026 keynote address, featured speakers, and the 40 Under 40 Award Ceremony.

May 21, 2026 5:00 – 7:30 PM ET 1 Main Street, Cambridge MA
5:00 – 6:00 PM

Meet & Greet — Networking Reception

Doors open. Attendees, honorees, and guests mingle at 1 Main Street, Kendall Square.

Networking
6:00 – 6:03 PM

Opening Remarks

Attrayee (Atty) Chakraborty, MSc, MS, CQSP — President, BCPH Board of Directors

Welcome
6:03 – 6:06 PM

Welcome Remarks

Dr. Candice D. Carpenter, MD, MBA, MPH, EdM — Co-CEO & Chief Strategy Officer, BCPH

Welcome
6:06 – 6:09 PM

Welcome Remarks

Dr. Circe Gray Le Compte, ScD, MS — Co-CEO & Chief Technology Officer, BCPH

Welcome
6:09 – 6:19 PM

★ Keynote Address — Olabiyi Olaniran, MD, MPH

Clinical Research Fellow, PASSIO Laboratory · Director of Clinical Development, CardioVis · Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center / Harvard Medical School. 2026 BCPH 40 Under 40 Public Health Catalyst honoree.

★ Keynote
6:19 – 6:22 PM

Featured Speaker — Juliet Lumati, MD, MPH

Surgical Oncologist, Northwestern University

Virtual
6:22 – 6:25 PM

Featured Speaker — Kadambari Rawal, BDS, MSD

Clinical Associate Professor, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine

In Person
6:25 – 6:28 PM

Featured Speaker — Dr. Taylor Rich

Massachusetts Association of Community Health Workers

In Person
6:28 – 6:31 PM

Featured Speaker — James Arthur, MPH

Mental Health Therapist, Ballad Health · East Tennessee State University

In Person
6:31 – 6:34 PM

Health Justice Scholars Competition — Finalist Presentations

Health Justice Scholars Competition Finalists
James Arthur (East Tennessee State University)
Shriya Veluri & Nanditha Niranjan (UT Health Houston)
Ekkam Bal (Roseman University)
Josephina Lin (Harvard T.H. Chan)

Competition
6:34 – 7:24 PM

40 Under 40 Award Ceremony

Individual honoree recognition, approximately 2 minutes per honoree. Past 40 Under 40 and Health Innovators to Watch recipients are warmly invited to join us in Cambridge.

Awards
7:24 – 7:27 PM

Closing Remarks

Attrayee (Atty) Chakraborty, MSc, MS, CQSP — President, BCPH Board of Directors

Closing
7:27 – 7:30 PM

Thank Yous & Adjourn

Evening concludes. All times approximate.

Close
Olabiyi Olaniran MD MPH, Keynote Speaker
★ 2026 Keynote Speaker

Olabiyi Olaniran, MD, MPH

Clinical Research Fellow, PASSIO Laboratory • Director of Clinical Development, CardioVis

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center • Harvard Medical School

Dr. Olaniran works at the intersection of artificial intelligence, clinical care, and health systems innovation, with a focus on advancing equitable access to care across diverse populations. He has led and contributed to global health initiatives spanning Africa and the United States, translating innovation into real-world impact. A 2026 BCPH 40 Under 40 Public Health Catalyst honoree.

Featured Honorees

Meet the 2026 BCPH Gala Speakers

Alongside our keynote speaker, a distinguished group of past awardees will join us during the BCPH Gala:

Dr. Candice Carpenter headshot Co-CEO & Founder

Dr. Candice D. Carpenter

Co-CEO, Chief of Strategy & Innovation • BCPH

Physician-serial entrepreneur, healthcare innovator, educator, and advocate for social justice; Founder of BCPH, Co-Editor-in-Chief of BCPHR, and architect of the BCPH Academy and Public Health Institute.

Dr. Circe Gray Le Compte headshot Co-CEO & Co-EIC

Dr. Circe Gray Le Compte

Co-CEO, BCPH Studio Director • Co-EIC, BCPHR

Co-CEO of BCPH and Co-Editor-in-Chief of BCPHR since 2015; Executive Producer of Great Health Debates and Studio Head, with research expertise in social and behavioral sciences and health communications.

Attrayee Atty Chakraborty headshot President, BCPH Board

Attrayee (Atty) Chakraborty

Quality Systems Engineer

Award-winning quality systems leader driving QMS processes in digital healthcare; co-editor of the ASQ Medical Device Division newsletter and recipient of the 2025 RAPS Rising Star Award.

Juliet Siena Lumati MD FACS FSSO headshot 40 Under 40, 2026

Juliet Siena Lumati, MD, FACS, FSSO

Surgical Oncologist & Global Oncology Researcher

Principal Investigator of the COST-FIN Trial, the first randomized trial of financial navigation for cancer patients in Sub-Saharan Africa; ASCO Global Oncology Young Investigator awardee.

Kadambari Rawal headshot 40 Under 40, 2022

Kadambari Rawal, BDS, MSD, FASGD, FICD, FACD

Clinical Associate Professor, BU GSDM

Geriatric dental medicine leader with faculty appointments at Boston University and Harvard; President of Smiles For Success Foundation and Vice President of the American Society for Geriatric Dentists.

Dr. Taylor Rich headshot 40 Under 40, 2025

Dr. Taylor Rich

CHW, Doula & Public Health Leader

Statewide CHW workforce leader at the Massachusetts Association of Community Health Workers, advancing health equity and maternal health through training, policy, and coalition work.

James Arthur MPH headshot 40 Under 40, 2026

James Arthur, MPH

Mental Health Therapist & Research Assistant

Emerging public health leader bridging mental health, health systems, and community-centered prevention; pursuing a Clinical Mental Health Counseling MA at East Tennessee State University with focus areas in HIV prevention and culturally responsive care.

Shriya Veluri headshot Nanditha Niranjan headshot
Health Justice Scholars Finalist

Shriya Veluri & Nanditha Niranjan

MD / DrPH Students · Partner Entry

UT Health Houston School of Public Health. A 2026 Health Justice Scholars Competition finalist entry, presenting their public health solution live at the Gala.

Ekkam Bal headshot Health Justice Scholars Finalist

Ekkam Bal

MD / DrPH Student

Roseman University of Health Sciences. A 2026 Health Justice Scholars Competition finalist presenting her public health solution live at the Gala.

Josephina Lin headshot Health Justice Scholars Finalist

Josephina Lin

MPH Student

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. A 2026 Health Justice Scholars Competition finalist presenting her public health solution live at the Gala.

Awardees: Register by May 11, 2026 and attend in person to receive your physical award. Past 40 Under 40 and Health Innovators to Watch recipients are warmly invited to join us in Cambridge.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsor the Gala

Sponsorship offers a unique opportunity to connect with and support a national community of public health leaders, funders, and changemakers.

Why Sponsor BCPH?

Sponsorship includes visibility, complimentary tickets, stage acknowledgment, and speaking opportunities depending on level.

  • Brand visibility on event materials and online promotion
  • Complimentary tickets at eligible levels
  • On-stage acknowledgment and speaking opportunities
  • Meaningful support for public health recognition and leadership
Become a Sponsor

Levels

Sponsorship Levels

Free Partner

$0

  • Complimentary booth set up
Apply

Bronze Sponsor

$1,500

  • Logo on event website
  • 2 complimentary tickets
  • 2-minute stage acknowledgment
Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

$3,000

  • Logo on event materials and website
  • 4 complimentary tickets
  • 2-minute stage acknowledgment / shoutout
Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

$5,000

  • Logo on stage signage and all materials
  • 6 complimentary tickets
  • 5-minute speaking slot
Sponsor

Diamond Sponsor

$15,000

  • Featured logo on all branding and signage
  • 10 complimentary tickets
  • 15-minute speaking slot
Sponsor

Premier Sponsor

$20,000

  • Exclusive co-branding rights on all materials
  • 15 complimentary tickets
  • 20-minute speaking slot + Q&A
Sponsor
Finalists Selected

Health Justice Scholars Competition

Lead. Inform. Inspire Solutions.

BCPH invited students and future leaders to share bold ideas that promote equity, address systemic barriers, and create a healthier, more just world for all. Submissions are now closed, and our finalists have been selected.

  • Open to high school students, pre-med and pre-MPH students, MPH and DrPH students, medical students, and residents
  • Cash prizes: $250 and $500
  • Certificates of achievement and publishing rights on BCPH and BCPHR websites
  • Finalists present their solutions live at the Gala on May 21, 2026
  • Winners announced during the Gala program

Competition Prompt

What is today's number one public health issue, and how would you solve it?

Presenting at the Gala

Meet the 2026 Finalists

Selected from a national pool of applicants, our finalists present their public health solutions live during the Gala program, where the winners will be announced.

James Arthur

James Arthur

MPH Student

East Tennessee State University

Tennessee
Shriya Veluri Nanditha Niranjan

Shriya Veluri & Nanditha Niranjan

MD / DrPH Students · Partner Entry

UT Health Houston School of Public Health

Texas
Ekkam Bal

Ekkam Bal

MD / DrPH Student

Roseman University of Health Sciences

Utah
Josephina Lin

Josephina Lin

MPH Student

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Massachusetts

Boston Congress of Public Health

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

10 opportunities — scroll to explore

Sponsor the Gala, register for awards, enter the Health Justice Scholars Competition, join a regional pitch session, and submit to BCPHR.

Register by May 11

40 Under 40 • Innovators to Watch

Past BCPH Award Recipients

Register by May 11 and attend in person to receive your physical award.

Register

May 21 at the Gala

Student Competition • Finalists Selected

Health Justice Scholars Competition

Submissions are closed. Our four finalists present their public health solutions live at the Gala, where winners receive $250 and $500 cash prizes.

Meet the Finalists

Deadline May 20

Sponsorship

Sponsor the BCPH Awards Gala

Free Partner to Premier Sponsor — connect with a national community of leaders.

Become a Sponsor

Open Now • Submit by June 1

BCPHR • Apr–May Expedite

BCPHR Now Accepting Manuscripts

Deadline June 1, 2026. Peer review in less than 2 weeks.

Submit a Manuscript

June 13, 2026

Asia & AustralAsia • 40 Under 40

Asian & AustralAsian Pitch Session

June 13, 2026 • 1:00 PM EST

Register Free to Pitch

July 11, 2026

Central & South America • 40 Under 40

Central & South American Pitch Session

July 11, 2026 • 1:00 PM EST

Register Free to Pitch

July 18, 2026

Europe Regional • 40 Under 40

European Countries Pitch Session

July 18, 2026 • 1:00 PM EST

Register Free to Pitch

Sept – Oct 2026

BCPHR • Next Expedite Window

Save the Date: Sept–Oct Submission Window

Opens September 1, 2026.

Learn More

December 2026

BCPHR • Year-End Expedite

Save the Date: December Submission Window

Opens December 1, 2026.

Learn More

Lead. Inform. Inspire Solutions. Build a More Just Future.

Questions? Email [email protected]