PHAB in Action

In October 2025, the Public Health Advisory Board held a workshop in Yakima at the Washington State Public Health Association's Annual Conference. 

Dr. William Hirota, a man wearing a black suit jacket, seated at a table, and Michelle Davis, a female, wearing a gray suit jacket with white pants, standing, listening to public members at a round table.
PHAB Co-Chair Dr. William Hirota and PHAB Member Michelle Davis
 

Members presented the history of the PHAB from when the Legislature created it in 2021, the legislative charges, and their approach to the work using collaboration and co-development principles. PHAB members then met in small groups with attendees to listen as they answered four questions focused on public health system improvements. Feedback from the session has already informed the PHAB's next steps and will be included in the analysis the PHAB does with future partner engagements.

See the workshop presentation slides (PDF) and the questions discussed.

Feel free to reach out to the PHAB with any questions or for further clarification on materials presented.

Participants represented a variety of sectors, including public health, health care, the state Legislature, education, and the community. Participating PHAB members included: 

  • Tyler Breier - Representing a statewide association of Washington nurses
  • Michelle Davis - Representing the Director of the State Board of Health or the Director's designee
  • Alice Fong - Representing a consumer non-profit organization of marginalized populations
  • Heather Hill - Representing Local Health Jurisdictions East of the Cascades with a population under 200,000
  • Dr. William Hirota - Representing a statewide association of Washington physicians
  • Rep. My-Linh Thai - Representing the state House of Representatives for the Democratic Party

 

Heather Hill, a female with blond/gray hair and wearing a blue blazer, speaking with public members at a table.
PHAB Member Heather Hill, RN