The inaugural IOHC 2016 was held in the University of Iowa College of Public Health Building on Saturday, November 5, 2016. The event was open to the public, and the keynote speaker was free. The conference had multiple sessions led by professionals and speakers in various formats to increase students’ understanding and utility with the One Health concept, so that they may join the larger field and movement of One Health in any way that they wish.
The core development of this event occurred between students and recent graduates of both Iowa State and the University of Iowa, stemming from a recognized need for One Health education for those who are not in professional fields yet, extending into undergraduate levels of education. A home for the event was offered by the Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (CEID). Soon afterward, a broadly interdisciplinary team of students, academics, and professionals was quickly formed to plan the conference.