Conversations and Connections 2025
Stronger Together - The Impact of Social Ties on Public Health
Wednesday - April 9, 2025
6 pm - 8:30 pm Reception and Panel Discussion
Merten Hall Room 1204
Is social isolation truly a public health crisis? Dean Melissa Perry is convening national thought leaders for a panel discussion on the impact of loneliness across the life span. This conversation will explore the root causes of social isolation, its psychological and physical consequences, and the broader societal implications of a disconnected world.
Panelists will assess the true scope of this issue, asking: How severe is loneliness as a public health challenge? Are we facing a crisis, or is the problem overstated? The discussion will also highlight real-world solutions, from mental health strategies to community-based initiatives, that can help foster belonging and social resilience at every stage of life.
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Moderator
Melissa J. Perry, Sc.D., MHS
Inaugural Dean, College of Public Health
George Mason University
Panelists
Jawad H.
Student, B.A., Government and International Politics, Class of 2025
Former Student Senator, George Mason University
Mary Louise Pomeroy, PhD MPH
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Center on Aging and Health
Bloomberg School of Public Health
Johns Hopkins University
LaToya Thomas, MRP, BS
Principal & Founder, Brick & Story
Weave Community – an Aspen Institute Initiative
Rachel Wernicke, PhD
Associate Dean and Chief Mental Health Officer
George Mason University