Event Overview
Vitamin D is one of the most researched nutrients in modern science, yet global recommendations remain widely debated. On May 21, GrassrootsHealth, in collaboration with IPAK-EDU, will host a timely and important expert panel discussion, “Vitamin D Dosing Policy Update: An Expert Panel Discussion,” bringing together leading researchers and clinicians to examine the current state of vitamin D science and its implications for public health policy. This 2.5-hour event comes at a pivotal moment, as growing scientific evidence and ongoing dialogue within public health agencies are prompting renewed consideration of how vitamin D guidelines are established and applied in practice.
The panel will explore critical questions at the intersection of science, methodology, and policy, including how existing recommendations were developed, where they may fall short, and what the full body of evidence reveals when examined directly. With implications spanning pregnancy outcomes, immune health, and chronic disease risk, this discussion offers a rare opportunity to hear from experts across disciplines and engage with one of the most consequential and often under-examined topics in modern nutrition and public health.
Event Details
Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM (Pacific Time)
Format: Live Online Event
Registration Fee: $12
Recording: Available free after the event
Event Hosts & Speakers
Event Host
Jen Aliano, MS
Executive Director, GrassrootsHealth
Expert Panel, Agenda & Topics
Policy & Scientific Foundations
James Lyons-Weiler, PhD
IPAK; MAHA Institute
The Statistical Mistake by the IOM
Michael Holick, PhD, MD
Boston University School of Medicine
IOM / Endocrine Society Guidelines: History & Shortcomings
Sunil Wimalawansa, MD, PhD, MBA
Director, Cardiometabolic & Endocrine Institute
Vitamin D Fundamentals
Research & Evidence
William Grant, PhD
Sunlight, Nutrition and Health Research Center
Importance of Observational Studies
Edward Giovannucci, MD, ScD
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Insights from RCTs & Mendelian Randomization
Maternal & Early Life Health
Bruce Hollis, PhD
Medical University of South Carolina
Vitamin D Effects on Prenatal & Newborn Health
Carol Wagner, MD
Medical University of South Carolina
Vitamin D Effects on Prenatal & Newborn Health
Scott Weiss, MD
Harvard Medical School / Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Pregnancy: Scientific Issues Needing to be Addressed
Hooman Mirzakhani, MD, MMSc, PhD
Harvard Medical School / Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Pregnancy: Trials Needed to Address Issues
Clinical & Public Health Applications
Leigh Frame, PhD, MHS
George Washington University
Vitamin D & Immune Health: Hospitalizations & Surgeries
Richard Cheng, PhD, MD
Editor-in-Chief, Orthomolecular Medicine News Service;
Board Director, Riordan Clinic
Why Clinical Responses to Vitamin D Vary: A Systems Medicine Perspective
Beth Sanford, DNP, RN
GrassrootsHealth, Director of Education & Clinical Practice
Implementation into Clinical Practice & Public Health
Live Q&A
The event will conclude with a moderated Q&A session, giving attendees the opportunity to engage directly with the panel and explore key topics in greater depth.
Why This Event Matters
Despite decades of research, significant questions remain:
- Are current vitamin D guidelines based on the strongest available evidence?
- Do they reflect real-world health outcomes across populations?
- What are the implications for clinical practice, pregnancy, chronic disease, immune health, and more?
This panel will explore these questions through multiple scientific lenses, bringing clarity to complex and often conflicting perspectives.
What You Will Learn
Attendees will gain insights into:
- The development and limitations of current vitamin D policies, including a statistical error that remains uncorrected
- Key differences between observational studies, randomized trials, and emerging methods
- The role of vitamin D across life stages, including pregnancy and early childhood
- Connections between vitamin D status and health outcomes
- Practical considerations for clinical implementation and public health strategies
Who Should Attend
This event is ideal for:
- Policy and public health decision makers
- Healthcare professionals and clinicians
- Researchers and public health practitioners
- Students in health and medical fields
- Individuals interested in evidence-based nutrition and wellness
A Collaborative Effort
This event is made possible through collaboration with leading organizations dedicated to advancing research, education, and public health awareness.
Event Partners Include:
Organic & Natural Health Association
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service
Institute for Natural Medicine
Power Up Nursing
Crossroads Health Foundation
International Society for Orthomolecular Medicine
Sunlight, Nutrition, and Health Research Center
(Additional partners to be announced)
Reserve Your Spot
Join this important conversation and gain access to insights from some of the leading voices in vitamin D research and clinical practice. Secure your place today!
Free recording included with registration