When two Michigan State University students pitched the idea of sexual health conference last fall, Women*s Student Services (WSS) Director Dr. Heather Shea understood the benefits immediately. And while Shea agreed to help with the event, she says the students handled the bulk of the planning. They just needed the green light.

About six months later, nearly 200 people attended the inaugural HEAL: Sexual Health Conference at the MSU Union in March. Healthcare Education Advocacy Leaders, or HEAL, was created to bring awareness to and encourage sexual health research, advocacy and education. 

Master of Public Health graduate student and WSS intern Harsna Chahal and pre-med senior and Mission Menstruation president Nupur Huria came up with the idea and served as the conference organizers.

“We’ve both been involved in health equity initiatives at MSU. We’ve connected with so many organizations here and so many amazing individuals doing similar work,” says Huria about how the idea for HEAL came about. “But we’ve never seen a singular platform for all these people to come together. So, we thought, ‘What if we have a conference where we could bring together not only research professionals but also those in community engagement and advocacy?’” 

Huria says, in today’s environment, sexual health is no longer just a medical issue. It’s also an education, advocacy and political issue. So, on top of producing a well-rounded approach to sexual health, she also says the conference allows people to feel comfortable simply talking about sexual health aloud.

By providing evidence that challenges misconceptions, sexual health research dismantles stigma. This knowledge empowers the creation of effective policies, education and advocacy efforts to prevent issues and promote inclusivity. The HEAL Conference capitalizes on this by offering participants the opportunity to explore different types of research and resources and get involved in the movement.  

The conference hosted various speakers and panel discussions on topics such as emergency contraception, mental health and more. Additionally, student researchers exhibited project posters alongside nonprofit organizations from around Mid-Michigan. Organizations like Planned Parenthood of Michigan, Helping Women Period and the Michigan Organization on Adolescent Sexual Health were among the groups present.

Along with MSU students and professionals, students and partners from the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University and even a few local high schools were on hand to showcase their work, helping to ensure the dialogue extends far and wide. The organizers think this dialogue and conferences like these can have a large impact. 

Hailey Grabowski was one of those students. The Monroe County Middle College student presented their research project on bi+ (plurisexual) identities at the conference. Their school is a five-year program that culminates in a high school diploma, up to 60 transferable college credits, a professional certificate and/or an associate degree. They’re happy to get the opportunity to gain experience before entering college and to present their work in a welcoming and fitting environment. 

“A lot of [sexual health] research has very sexist roots and monosexist roots. So, studying plurilsexual identity is so important,” says Grabowski. “As a bi+ individual myself, it has been so incredible to be part of that change that will later inform things like healthcare, education and future research.” 

Grabowski plans to continue to be part of that research in the future. In college, Grabowski aims to study psychology and gender studies. But first, they acknowledge how much of a privilege it is being able to present their work at an event like HEAL at the world-class, renowned research institute that is MSU. 

“It is such a big deal, especially not having graduated high school yet. I never would’ve predicted that I’d have the opportunity to do something like this,” Grabowski says. “It’s intimidating because, as a first-generation student and young person, I don’t have a lot of background in this or experience doing anything like this.”

Now Grabowski can say they do have some experience. It’s stories and ultimately paths like theirs that the HEAL organizers intended to impact and make visible when they envisioned the conference. 

“We wanted people to interact and be able to share their data. They can talk about their programs and their initiatives — spark ideas at other colleges and universities,” Chahal says. “That’s a major takeaway I really hope individuals take from here — that it sparks ideas for new programs, new advocacy legislation. With a collective voice, we can help other institutions and other student organizations on their campuses.”

To make the event possible, the conference is sponsored by various organizations on campus, including Student Life & Engagement (SLE), Women*s Student Services (WSS), the Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU), among others.