Yvonne C. Collins M.D. is a Gynecologic Oncologist and current Chief Medical Officer of CountyCare within Cook County Health Hospitals System. She is board certified in Obstetrics, Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology. Dr. Collins is a graduate of Xavier University in Louisiana and University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville, Florida. She completed a residency program in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois and received fellowship training in Gynecologic Oncology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York.
Dr. Collins has devoted her career to educating underserved women on the importance of routine health maintenance, including Pap tests. Her research interest includes community outreach and education on the causes, prevention, screening, and early detection of cervical cancer, which is preventable. She also has an interest in empowering women through education, eliminating barriers to care and increasing access. She works with community organizations, area churches, beauty salons, task forces and the American Cancer Society on developing ways to decrease racial disparities related to cervical cancer diagnosis, treatment, and mortality. She has provided healthcare not only in the United States, but has traveled abroad to Central America, the Caribbean, Asia, and Africa providing care to those who need it. She lectures nationally and internationally with the goal being to educate on disease prevention. She was honored as an Outstanding Teacher and Humanitarian of the Year.
Dr. Collins has published in various scientific journals, including Gynecologic Oncology and Journal of the Lower Genital Tract Disease. In addition, Dr. Collins served on the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO) Cervical Education Committee, previous chair of the SGO Health Care Disparities Task Force and previous president of the Prairie State Medical Society. She is currently Region IV Trustee for National Medical Association and a member the Cook County Physicians Association. Additionally, she was a 2022 Climate, Health, and Equity Fellow.
She has attended Trinity United Church of Christ since age six and currently serves in the Women’s Chorus, the Trustee Ministry, and the Deacon Ministry. She enjoys lecturing, traveling, and spending time with her family.
The National Medical Association (NMA) is proud to share the Second World Congress on Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, a hybrid event bringing together health professionals and leaders from around the world to address one of the most urgent challenges of our time: racial and ethnic health inequities.
📅 January 27–31, 2026
This event is designed to unite experts, advocates, and changemakers to discuss health disparities and explore real solutions to drive equity forward.
✅ Register today: https://web.cvent.com/event/b5f50d2b-37a1-427a-9710-b95becb9e9a6/summary
Let’s keep pushing toward a future where quality healthcare is accessible for every community, everywhere.
#NMA #HealthEquity #HealthDisparities #RacialEquity #PublicHealth #HealthcareJustice #EquityInMedicine #BlackDoctors #PhysicianLeadership #GlobalHealth
Join us in Washington, DC for the 2026 Health Disparities Symposium, a powerful two-day convening focused on bridging gaps in chronic disease care and advancing health equity through education, research, and policy-driven dialogue.
📅 January 23–24, 2026
📍 Howard University Hospital | W. Lester Henry Towers Auditorium
🎓 CME Credit Available
✅ Free to attend
Presented by the W. Montague Cobb/NMA Health Institute, in collaboration with Howard University Hospital, and supported by the American Diabetes Association, this symposium brings together physicians, trainees, researchers, public health professionals, healthcare leaders, and community advocates.
Event Highlights
• Friday, Jan 23: Opening Reception & Fireside Chat on healthcare disparities in chronic disease management
• Saturday, Jan 24: Educational Symposium - Bridging the Gap: Advancing Equity in Education, Research, and Healthcare
🔗 Register now: https://bit.ly/2026HDEvent
#HealthEquity #HealthDisparities #BridgingTheGap #NMA #CobbInstitute #HowardUniversityHospital #CME #PublicHealth #ChronicDisease #HealthcareLeadership
The National Medical Association is proud to celebrate Roger A. Mitchell, Jr., MD, 126th President, as the 2026 African Americans in Medicine Honoree at Harlem Fine Arts Show (HFAS18).
Dr. Mitchell will be honored during African Americans in Medicine: The Art of Healing (AAIM), a powerful tribute recognizing trailblazers whose leadership advances excellence, equity, and compassion across medicine, education, and the arts.
📍 The Glasshouse, New York City
📅 Saturday, February 21, 2026
Join us as we honor Dr. Mitchell’s extraordinary impact and celebrate the lasting legacy of Black physicians shaping the future of health and healing.
#NMA #AfricanAmericansInMedicine #AAIM #HFAS18 #TheArtOfHealing #HealthEquity #BlackExcellence #UnsungHeroes
Recent changes to the CDC childhood vaccine schedule have shifted six vaccines, like flu, hepatitis A & B, RSV, and rotavirus, so they’re no longer universally recommended for all children, which has created confusion for families and clinicians.
As a pediatrician and NMA President-Elect, Dr. Brandi Freeman says:
“These are vaccines that we as pediatricians have relied on for decades to prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and even death in children. The science behind them has not changed… Delayed or missed vaccinations increase risk, especially for infants and young children.”
Vaccines remain safe, effective, and available. Talk with your child’s clinician about the best plan for your family.
🔗 Learn more: https://www.parents.com/cdc-vaccine-changes-2026-11881564
#NationalMedAssn #ChildHealth #VaccinesWork #HealthEquity #PediatricCare #PublicHealth
Advancing health equity requires action at every level, including the states.
Roger A. Mitchell, Jr., MD, 126th President of the National Medical Association, emphasized the importance of a strong state-level strategy as a core component of NMA’s advocacy work.
We are pleased to collaborate with the American Medical Association to help consolidate efforts and strengthen coordinated advocacy that protects patients and advances health equity nationwide.
#NationalMedAssn #HealthEquity #PhysicianAdvocacy #StateStrategy #HealthcareLeadership #BlackDoctorsMatter
Join a community of over 50,000 dedicated African American physicians and professionals committed to making a positive impact on healthcare. Discover the benefits of NMA membership, access professional development opportunities, and become a part of a network dedicated to advancing health equity.
National Medical Association
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Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
Phone: 202-347-1895
Fax: 301-495-0359
