2nd Annual Advocate Health Anti-Human Trafficking Healthcare Symposium

Charlotte, NC US
September 8, 2026

Human trafficking is a critical public health issue, a crime, and a human rights violation. Patients experiencing trafficking often seek care in our healthcare system, relying on frontline teammates to engage them with trauma‑informed compassion and intentional listening. The 2026 Anti‑Human Trafficking Healthcare Symposium is an enterprise‑wide, hybrid educational event designed to empower healthcare teammates to recognize, respond, and intervene effectively when trafficking is suspected.

Keynote Speaker

We are honored to feature a survivor leader, Alia Azariah, Director of Collective Impact at Safe House Project, as our keynote speaker. She will share her lived experience and highlight the profound impact that intentional, trauma‑responsive interactions can have on patient safety, trust, and healing.

Speakers and Networking

A federal law enforcement leader will provide an overview of the crime of human trafficking. Additionally, a physician advocate will introduce the Advocate Health Anti-Trafficking Enterprise response system, embedded in the electronic medical record, designed to equip teammates with tools to assist patients potentially experiencing trafficking.

The hybrid format ensures broad acess and equity, allowing teammates to join in person or virtually across all regions and specialties. Community partners, law enforcement officers, educators, and healthcare teammates are all encouraged to attend this event on site at their community’s local watch party.

Why This Matters

In 2026, Advocate Health launched an integrated, EMR‑embedded protocol that delivers just‑in‑time clinical guidance and resources at the point of care. This innovation supports real‑time, trauma‑informed decision‑making when it matters most.

By bringing this education directly into the healthcare environment, the symposium strengthens a pivotal intervention point—where informed, compassionate care can change lives.

Who Should Attend

This multidisciplinary symposium welcomes:

  • Physicians
  • Advanced Practice Providers
  • Nurses and Forensic Nurses
  • Social Workers
  • Mental Health Professionals
  • Advocates
  • All healthcare teammates across the enterprise

Community partners—including service providers, law enforcement, and human trafficking task forces in Charlotte, Chicago, and Milwaukee—will also participate to strengthen cross‑sector collaboration

Our Shared Mission

Together, we advance communities that drive prevention, early identification, and compassionate intervention for trafficked individuals. We create healthcare experiences and safer communities FOR ALL.

Call to Action

We encourage all teammates to attend this powerful, survivor‑informed event and strengthen our collective ability to provide trauma‑responsive care.

This activity is being held in Charlotte, NC & Chicago, IL & Milwaukee, WI as well as via webinar.

NOTE: Please note this activity will be presented 9:00am – 12:00pm EST

Target Audience

This course is intended for Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Social Workers and other healthcare professionals.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this session, learners should be able to:

  1. Describe how human trafficking may present in healthcare settings and identify common clinical and behavioral red flags across patient populations.
  2. Recognize the impact of trafficking on health outcomes and health equity, including barriers to safe, timely, and patient‑centered care.
  3. Apply trauma‑informed, patient‑centered principles when interacting with individuals who may be experiencing trafficking, within their professional scope of practice.
  4. Identify appropriate response strategies and referral pathways to support patient safety, coordination of care, and connection to community and advocacy resources.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 3.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    Aurora Health Care is accredited by the Wisconsin Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Aurora Health Care designates this activity for a maximum of 3.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • 3.00 Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
    Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)

    As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Advocate Aurora Health is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers receiving this course receive 3.00 of ethics, clinical, cultural competence, and/or general continuing education credits.
  • 3.00 Attendance
    Attendance Credit
    • 3.00 Approved AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 3.00 Continuing Nursing Education (CE)
    Aurora Health Care is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Wisconsin Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. 3.00 contact hours have been awarded to this activity by the Wisconsin Nursing Association. To receive contact hours, participants must attend the entire activity.
  • 3.00 Physician Associates Credit
    Advocate Health has been authorized by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 3.00 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
Course opens: 
07/01/2025
Course expires: 
12/31/2026
Event starts: 
09/08/2026 - 8:00am CDT
Event ends: 
09/08/2026 - 11:00am CDT
Cost:
$25.00
Add to calendar: 
Rating: 
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PDF icon 20260715_2nd Annual Advocate Health Anti-Human Trafficking Healthcare Task Force Symposium_AGENDA.pdf

The Pearl
325 Innovate Lane,
Charlotte, NC 28204
United States

In-Person Sessions & Luncheon

CHARLOTTE: Wake Forest University School of Medicine Charlotte Campus - 915 Pearl Park Way, Charlotte, NC 28204

CHICAGO: Advocate Christ Medical Center Stein Auditorium - 9314 S Kilbourn Avenue, Oak Lawn, IL 60453

MILWAUKEE: Heil Conference Center, Succeed Conference Room, Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center - 3031 West Montana Street, Milwaukee, WI 53215

Participants may also participate virtually. 

* You will be able to select your location at checkout.

Faculty

  • Alia Azariah | Safe House Project
  • Adrianna Boston, MSW | Advocate Health
  • Alexa Polzella, MHA | Advocate Health
  • Stacy Reynolds, MD | Advocate Health
  • Desiree Vassallo | Special Agent Federal Bureau of Investigation

Disclosure

Faculty disclosures are being reviewed and will be presented to the audience in advance of the program.

Accreditation Statement
 

In support of improving patient care, Advocate Health is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Credit Statement(s)

American Medical Association (AMA) 
Advocate Health designates this live activity for a maximum of 3.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) 
Advocate Health designates this live activity for a maximum of 3.00 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 

Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Advocate Health is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 3.00  general continuing education credits.

American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA)
Advocate Health has been authorized by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 3.00 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.


 

 

Available Credit

  • 3.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    Aurora Health Care is accredited by the Wisconsin Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Aurora Health Care designates this activity for a maximum of 3.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • 3.00 Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
    Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)

    As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Advocate Aurora Health is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers receiving this course receive 3.00 of ethics, clinical, cultural competence, and/or general continuing education credits.
  • 3.00 Attendance
    Attendance Credit
    • 3.00 Approved AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 3.00 Continuing Nursing Education (CE)
    Aurora Health Care is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Wisconsin Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. 3.00 contact hours have been awarded to this activity by the Wisconsin Nursing Association. To receive contact hours, participants must attend the entire activity.
  • 3.00 Physician Associates Credit
    Advocate Health has been authorized by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 3.00 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

Price

Cost:
$25.00
Please login or register to take this course.

How to Register


Complete the form above and click "Add to cart."

Click "Checkout" and follow the prompts to complete your order.

For those attending this conference virtually, a link to the meeting will be provided prior to the event

 FEE
Registration fee$25.00
Speaker registration fee$  0.00 - MUST HAVE COUPON CODE TO REGISTER

Payable by credit card only

Cancellation and Refund Policy


Cancellation/Refunds/Substitutions

  • Cancellations must be in writing (email)
  • Registrants cancelling between two weeks and five full business days prior to the first day of the event are "refunded at 70% of the registration fee subject to a minimum $25 cancellation fee."
  • No refunds or credits will be given for cancellations received less than five full business days prior to the event.
  • No refunds or credit will be given for no-shows.
  • No vouchers will be issued in lieu of a refund.

For Further Information
 

If you have any questions regarding the conference, please contact [email protected]

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