Health Law Panel Addresses Wellness and Combating Misinformation

New York State Bar Association to Host Panel on Vaccine Hesitancy and Medical Misinformation

The Public Health Committee of the Health Law Section of the New York State Bar Association will convene a panel discussion addressing the growing concern of vaccine hesitancy in communities across New York. The event, developed by the committee’s specialized subcommittee on Myth Busting, aims to combat the spread of medical misinformation that has contributed to declining vaccination rates in recent years.

Originally planned as a hybrid event, organizers have shifted to a webinar-only format. Registered participants will receive login instructions as the event date approaches.

The distinguished panel brings together a diverse group of medical and public health experts, including Dr. Ana Mendez, Chief of Ambulatory Pediatrics at Richmond University Medical Center, and Dr. Ginny Mantello, a neuroradiologist and public health physician from the Office of the Staten Island Borough President.

Additional panelists include Kathy S. Marks from the New York State Department of Health, Dr. Melissa L. Mendelson, Dr. Joanna Pierro from Northwell Health’s Pediatric Hematology Oncology department, Dr. Ashley Stephens, a pediatrician and Assistant Professor at Columbia University Medical Center, and Dr. Toni Eyssallenne, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

The event comes at a critical time as public health officials nationwide struggle to address growing skepticism toward vaccines and other preventive health measures. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the dangers of health misinformation, with studies showing that communities with high levels of vaccine hesitancy experienced higher rates of severe illness and mortality.

Mark R. Ustin of Farrell Fritz, P.C., who serves as Health Law Section Chair, will oversee the program alongside program chairs Heather M. Butts from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, Karen L.I. Gallinari from Pace University’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law, and Dorothy Shuldman from Catholic Health in Buffalo.

The webinar is co-sponsored by H.E.A.L.T.H. for Youths, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to improving health outcomes for young people through education and advocacy. Though designed to be informational in nature, the event will not offer Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit for attorneys.

This initiative reflects growing concern among medical and legal professionals about the real-world impacts of health misinformation. According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, childhood vaccination rates have declined in multiple states since 2020, putting communities at risk for outbreaks of preventable diseases like measles and whooping cough.

The panel is expected to address strategies for identifying reliable health information, understanding the science behind vaccine development and safety, and effectively communicating with patients and communities experiencing vaccine hesitancy.

For those interested in participating, registration is available through the New York State Bar Association’s website. Those who prefer not to register online may call the Member Resource Center at 1-800-582-2452. The organization has emphasized its commitment to accessibility, directing those requiring accommodations for disabilities to visit NYSBA.org/ADA for further information.

Phillips Lytle LLP is sponsoring the event, continuing the law firm’s tradition of supporting public health education initiatives throughout New York State.

As misinformation continues to challenge public health efforts nationwide, this collaboration between legal and medical professionals represents an important step toward building public trust in evidence-based health information and interventions.