The SE Louisiana Nonbelievers Group (NOSHA)

**Doors open at 2:30pm, program starts at 3pm**

This talk will review recent immunization data and state policy proposals that could impact immunization rates. We'll review where Louisiana stands in comparison to other states and talk about what individuals can do to support evidence-based vaccine policy and promote strong immunization rates in their communities.

ABOUT OUR SPEAKER: Stacy Stevens Hall has over 40 years of experience as a registered nurse in Louisiana. She served in the Louisiana Office of Public Health Bureau of Infectious Diseases for 27 years, retiring in 2021. While directing the Immunization Program, she prioritized partnerships for Louisiana to increase the HPV up-to-date vaccination rate for 13-17 year-olds from 34.9% in 2015 to 63.9% in 2021, as measured by the National Immunization Survey.

Following Hurricane Katrina, Luke's House was established in New Orleans as a free clinic to address clinical and behavioral health needs in the community. Stacy has volunteered as a nurse since 2006, served on the Board and been the Board Chair of Luke's House Clinic. Stacy remains actively involved with the national Association of Immunization Managers (AIM), representing AIM on several Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices workgroups. In March 2020, Stacy co-founded the Navigators to enhance the collaboration between pharmacy and public health for the COVID-19 vaccination response. She remains active with this multidisciplinary group as they work to promote health equity and increase vaccination rates nationally. Stacy met with Congressional representatives in 2021 and 2022, advocating for the Vaccines for Children program to expand from age 18 to age 26.

Since retirement, Stacy has been an instructor with the Louisiana State University National Center for Biomedical Research & Training, teaching courses designed for first responders to build critical skills necessary for response to bioterrorism incidents. She lives in the New Orleans area, is married with successful adult children and four beautiful grandchildren who are up-to-date with their vaccinations.

Our Freethinkers Fika is a small, friendly social gathering for humanists, atheists, agnostics, and freethinkers to engage in free discussion with like-minded others in a coffee-shop atmosphere.

++We hold this event in a small private room, which means space is limited. Therefore, we ask that you are serious with your RSVP, and update it on Meetup if your attendance status changes.

Secular Humanism is a philosophy that seeks to make sense of the world using science, reason, and shared values; we reject attempts to explain the world in supernatural terms. This philosophy forms the basis for our affiliation in NOSHA, and thus will necessarily inform the perspective from which topics are discussed.

The Fika is not a formal moderated discussion or debate; attendees can raise whatever issues they wish to discuss. The only requirement is that we all treat each other with courtesy and respect, even if disagreements arise. We do want to include everyone who wishes to speak in our discussions, so individuals are discouraged from dominating conversation to the exclusion of others. Attacks or proselytization will not be permitted.

First drink. First prank. First friend. First love.
Last words.

Miles Halter is fascinated by famous last words—and tired of his safe life at home. He leaves for boarding school to seek what the dying poet François Rabelais called the “Great Perhaps.” Much awaits Miles at Culver Creek, including Alaska Young, who will pull Miles into her labyrinth and catapult him into the Great Perhaps.

Looking for Alaska brilliantly chronicles the indelible impact one life can have on another. A modern classic, this stunning debut marked #1 bestselling author John Green’s arrival as a groundbreaking new voice in contemporary fiction.

• New York Times Bestseller • Michael L. Printz Award winner • TIME Magazine’s 100 Best Young Adult Novels of All Time • PBS Great American Read Selection

Challenged for: offensive language, drugs/alcohol/smoking, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group