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CHART Webinar Series – Extreme Weather, Aging, and Mental Health
Extreme Weather, Aging, and Mental Health: From Research to Community Impact
This webinar was held on August 25, 2026
Access the recording of the session HERE
Description: As people age and develop chronic conditions, their bodies become more susceptible to extreme heat and other changes in the environment. This session invites Columbia’s CHART Center to provide an overview of their work, focusing on how the center engages with the community to address extreme weather threats on neurodegeneration. This includes the development of a documentary series and a fellowship with Trauma Free NYC aimed at incorporating extreme weather with seniors and autonomy.
Objectives: By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Describe two ways in which extreme weather threats can impact mental health.
- Recognize the importance of tailoring programs and treatment for seniors facing extreme weather conditions.
Bios:
Associate Professor of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University
Marcela Tamayo-Ortiz, DSc, studies how environmental exposures and social conditions shape health across the life course. As an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, she investigates the health impacts of lead and other toxic metals, air pollution, contaminated drinking water, weather- and climate-related exposures, and psychosocial stress, with a particular focus on children’s health and healthy aging in women.
Dr. Tamayo-Ortiz is based at the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health (CCCEH), where she leads and collaborates on projects that connect research with action. She is a principal investigator of the Pregnancy to Aging Through Health and Wellbeing Assessment across the Years (PATHWAY) initiative that is following midlife women from the CCCEH’s cohorts to study healthy aging, including bone health. Her work combines epidemiology and community partnerships to better understand environmental health challenges and identify practical solutions that improve health outcomes. \
Dr. Tamayo-Ortiz is actively involved in international efforts to promote environmental health. She serves on the Executive Council of the International Society for Children’s Health and Environment (ISCHE) and is the former Chair of the Latin America and Caribbean Chapter of the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE). In 2024, she was named an ISEE Fellow in recognition of her contributions to environmental health research, leadership, and public engagement.
Wanda Garcia, MHA, LMSW, is a dedicated professional with a passion for fostering meaningful connections and repairing relationships. Born in the Dominican Republic, Wanda’s journey led her to New York in the 1970s, where she embarked on a remarkable path of education and service. Wanda’s early life experiences in the Dominican Republic laid the foundation for her empathetic nature and cross-cultural awareness. After growing up in Inwood/Washington Heights, she pursued her academic aspirations with determination. Wanda earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Barnard College, demonstrating her commitment to the sciences.
Driven by a desire to understand the complexities of human behavior, Wanda delved into neuropsychology studies at Howard University. Her educational journey then led her to Columbia University, where she obtained both a Master of Health Administration (MHA) and a Master of Social Work (MSW). These dual degrees equipped her with a unique perspective that integrates psychological, sociological and systemic insights. Wanda’s career has spanned research on HIV, epilepsy, parent-child connections, child development, Alzheimer’s and in the last 14 years she has been part of the team, at Mailman’s Population and Family Health Department, where she has been working with a cohort of BIPOC families who have helped us understand the impacts of prenatal pesticide exposures. Currently, she is the Director of Community Engagement for Trauma-Free NYC and is leading efforts to train public health students, CBO’s and other institutions on Trauma-Informed Care.
In addition, Wanda’s training at the Ackerman Family Institute in family therapy and couples therapy showcases her dedication to expanding her skills. Her professional portfolio reflects her commitment to helping people mend and strengthen their relationships.
Wanda Garcia possesses a deep understanding of the intricate connections between the human body, family dynamics, relationships and the social determinants of health. Her empathy, coupled with her comprehensive academic background, enables her to create a supportive and non-judgmental environment for her clients, the public health students and the community organizations she supports.
This webinar series is supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number P20ES036110. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
*Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) Credits
This enduring material is eligible for Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) credits accredited by the Emory Nursing Professional Development Center (ENPDC). To receive 1.0 contact hour, please complete this evaluation after watching the webinar.
Please expect a wait time of at least 5-7 business days after completion of the survey for a follow-up email with proof of contact hours. For questions, please email sophia.lamb@emory.edu.
This webinar series is supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number P20ES036110. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
