THE 2025 WPSR HEALTH JUSTICE GALA

WPSR’s 2025 Health Justice Gala brought together over 200 health advocates and supporters to celebrate and raise funds to support WPSR’s mission to protect Washington from the gravest threats to health. The commitment and generosity of our community of health professionals and concerned Washingtonians helped raise over $250,000 to power WPSR’s work into 2026 and beyond

Our Keynote Speaker
Dr. Vin Gupta

Vin Gupta, MD, MSt, MPA is a practicing pulmonologist and Managing Director of Health Innovation at Manatt, with an extensive background in health policy and digital health. Additional ongoing responsibilities include serving as an affiliate assistant professor at UW Medicine/IHME and as a medical analyst for NBC News and MSNBC.

Dr. Gupta received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Princeton University, Medical Doctorate from Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Masters in Public Administration from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and Master of Studies in International Relations from the University of Cambridge.

He has active board certification in Internal Medicine, Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine and completed his clinical training at Brigham & Women’s Hospital. Dr. Gupta is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and serves on the Board of Directors of HIMSS, Climate Solutions, and the American Lung Association.

Our Emcee
Laura Skelton

From 2014 to 2019, Laura proudly served as the Executive Director of Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility. During her tenure at WPSR, she helped found the statewide coalition, Washington Against Nuclear Weapons.

Since departing WPSR, Laura has primarily served in interim leadership roles – for nonprofit organizations working on diverse issues including homelessness, food security, commercial sexual exploitation, senior care, and more. Laura has her own consulting practice (Skelton Consulting) and is a Senior Consultant for the Valtas Group.

Our Auctioneer
Kevin Joyce

Kevin has hosted hundreds of events, and auctioneered for over 500 regional and national non-profits, in the process becoming one of the most popular and sought-after hosts in the Pacific Northwest. He co-founded Vashon Island’s UMO Ensemble, and created and hosted the TV show Big Night Out for two seasons on the Seattle Channel. Kevin has designed and facilitated at the United Nations and the World Health Assembly in Geneva, and provided communications training for scores of healthcare and other organizations throughout the US.

Kevin was raised in Minneapolis and holds a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership (Pinchot University) and a BA in Comparative Religion (Bowdoin).

2025 PAUL BEESON AWARD HONOREE: Rep. Mari Leavitt

The Paul Beeson Award honors activists in the healthcare field who have made a
substantial contribution to peace, justice, and health in Washington state.

As introduced by WPSR Climate & Health Task Force Cochair, Dr. Breck Lebegue:

It’s my privilege to know our Beeson Award honoree as my Pierce County Representative since 2019. She attended Tacoma Community College, earned her B.A. and M.Ed. at Western WA University and her Ph.D. from Oregon State Univ.

As a WPSR member I testified in support of many of health-advocacy bills she sponsored: HB 1012 Extreme Weather Protection Act, HB 1069 Mental Health Counselor Compact, HB 1763 & 1946 for behavioral health scholarships. She sponsored HB 1957 Lucas Petty Act for opioid education in schools, co-sponsored HB 1222 for hearing aids, HB 1725 capping insulin costs, HB 1888 for telemedicine, HB 1931 addressing violence against health care workers, HB 2321 against youth access to age 21+ products. She is a strong advocate for individuals with developmental disability to access services and care. This year, she co-sponsored HB 1837 to improve Cascades train performance, as the best climate & health public transport choice. She’s a resident of the 28th Legislative District for 35 years, & State Rep since 2019. She lives in University Place with her pets, children, & husband, Dr Drew Leavitt, here tonight (stand up Drew)—she is so busy, you’ve likely seen her more tonite than the past month? Please welcome Dr Mari Leavitt, our 2025 Beason award honoree!