NMA Hosts 8th Annual Professional Development Series at the CBCF

Silver Spring, MD – The National Medical Association (NMA) is hosting its 8^th Annual Professional Development Series (PDS) at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s (CBCF) Annual Legislative Conference, Wednesday, September 20, 2023, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mt Vernon Pl. NW, Washington, DC. The NMA partners its development series with CBCF’s Legislative Conference in order to connect with elected officials and address relevant issues, recently introduced legislative proposals and initiatives surrounding the disparities that exist with access to care, redetermination, viability of the physician workforce and physician reimbursement. In accordance with the theme of NMA’s 124^th President, Yolanda M. Lawson, MD, The Quest for Healthcare Transformation, this year’s Development Series will focus on key elements that most impact communities of color. Topics addressed will be nutrition and health, drug pricing and its impact on health equity, changes to Medicaid and its impact on communities of color, increasing the number of Black physicians in the workforce, the evolving landscape of maternal and reproductive health, updates on a national plan to end the HIV epidemic and NMA’s involvement in advancing a national cancer plan. Congresswoman, Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), will join NMA’s 124^th President, Yolanda M. Lawson, MD, NMA Executive Director, Joy D. Calloway, MBA, MHSA and President of the Auxiliary to the NMA, Mrs. Maria Bright in welcoming attendees to this year’s Professional Development Series of the CBCF Annual Legislative Conference. Dean for Diversity and Community Partnership at Harvard Medical School, Joan Y. Reede, MD, MD, MPH, MBA, the lunch keynote speaker, will address Breaking Barriers: Recognizing and Confronting Attacks on Diversity and Inclusion. Afternoon sessions will include a panel discussion on the Evolving Maternal and Reproductive Health Landscape, moderated by NMA President, Yolanda M. Lawson, MD, featuring Elizabeth K. Cherot, MD, MBA, president and CEO, March of Dimes, William W. “Sam” Greenfield, MD, MBA, professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Medical Director for Family Health, Arkansas, Department of Health, Natalie D. Hernandez-Green, PhD, MPH, associate professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and executive director, Center for Maternal Health Equity at Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), and Mia Keeys, MA, DrPH, director of Government Affairs, Hologic, Inc., DC Commissioner for Women. The afternoon sessions will close with a panel with an Update on the National Strategy on HIV/AIDS: Ending the HIV Epidemic, moderated by NMA President-Elect, Virginia A. Caine, MD, director and chief medical officer, Marion County Public Health Department. This panel will include Harold J. Phillips III, MRP, director of the Office of National AIDS Policy, which is part of the White House Domestic Policy Council, Ramon Gardenshire, director of Government Relations (South Region), ViiV Healthcare, and former Congressional Black Caucus Fellow, Gregorio Millett, MPH, vice president, amfAR. The day concludes with a presentation on the National Cancer Plan: How NMA Can Be Involved, by 116^th NMA President, Edith Peterson Mitchell, MD, MACP (London), clinical professor of Medicine and Medical Oncology, Brigadier General (Ret.) United States Air Force. ###   The NMA promotes the collective interests of physicians and patients of African Descent. We carry out this mission by serving as the collective voice of physicians of African Descent and a leading voice for parity in medicine, elimination of health disparities and promotion of optimal health.   Yolanda M. Lawson, MD                                          Contact:  Michael Peery NMA 124^th President                                                (312) 217-2260 mlp@lengarmedia.com Joy D. Calloway, MBA, MHSA Executive Director Stay connected with the National Medical Association (NMA) on  Twitter and Facebook.