U.P. Community Health Worker Symposium
An event designed by CHWs for CHWs!
10:00am -4:00pm EST, November 10, 2026
The U.P. Community Health Worker (CHW) Symposium, hosted by the Northern Michigan University Center for Rural, takes place each fall. It was first launched in October 2024 as a means to continue strengthening and supporting the Community Health Worker workforce across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Created for CHWs, by CHWs, the symposium provides meaningful in-person engagement, networking, hands-on training, and continuing education opportunities tailored to the unique needs of communities across the U.P. The annual event brings CHWs together to connect, share best practices, and celebrate regional successes. Sessions focus on practical, high-impact topics that are currently relevant and apply to our rural region.
On average, this one-day, annual event brings together more than 50 CHWs, multiple vendors and several presenters. To date, participants have rated sessions highly, with an average satisfaction score of 4.5+ out of 5. Notably, 100% of attendees rated their overall experience as “good” or “excellent,” citing the event as informative, engaging, and directly relevant to their work.
The U.P. CHW Symposium is quickly becoming a cornerstone annual gathering that fosters collaboration, strengthens professional networks, and elevates the vital role CHWs play in advancing rural health. The Center remains committed to sustaining and growing this event to support the ongoing development of the CHW workforce in the Upper Peninsula. Information for each year’s Symposium including the registration and agenda will be posted in early fall.
Registration
CHWs, advocates, vendors, and speakers may register for this event via the following link. You do not have to have obtained CHW certification through the NMU Center for Rural Health to attend this event. Please note, registration will remain open until Tuesday, November 3rd.
*If you are attending the event in more than one capacity (i.e. speaker and vendor), please indicate this using the registration portal.
Questions?
Reach out to Elise Bur, ebur@nmu.edu or Anna Christiansen, annchris@nmu.edu.