The National Medical Association is thrilled to announce the launch of its new Ambassador Program, designed to empower, amplify, and elevate a new generation of physician leaders who are aligned with NMA’s mission to advance health equity and eliminate disparities.
Our 2025 Inaugural Ambassador Class is composed of trailblazing physicians and influencers who are passionate about community advocacy, medical education, and social change. As representatives of the NMA, these ambassadors will share their expertise across social media, public events, and educational initiatives—bringing the values of the NMA to the forefront of digital and public engagement.
As part of their role, Ambassadors will:
Promote key NMA initiatives and events
Share personal stories about being Black in medicine
Advocate on public health topics impacting our communities
Encourage membership growth using personalized referral campaigns
Create engaging digital content including videos, blogs, and webinars
This is more than a program—it’s a movement. The NMA Ambassador Program is a call to leadership and legacy, and we are honored to welcome these individuals as partners in our mission.
Their journey officially begins at the 123rd NMA Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly in Chicago, IL, July 19–23, 2025. Be sure to follow their progress using the hashtag #NMAAmbassador, and don’t forget to follow us on social media at @nationalmedassoc to catch their content in real-time.
Meet our 2025 NMA Ambassadors
Kevin Jefferson, DPM
Dr. Kevin Jefferson is a podiatrist who has been providing medical and surgical foot care for the residents of Washington, DC and the surrounding area. He has more than 25 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine in 1996. He treats all conditions of the foot including fungal conditions, heel, pain, trauma, and surgical correction of deformities such as bunions and hammertoes. However, his passion is advanced wound care. He has been blessed to participate in healing chronic wounds, saving limbs, and improving lives. He is also the Chair of the Podiatric Medicine & Surgery Section of the National Medical Association.
Dara King, MD
Dara N. King, MD, MBA, serves as the Women’s Health Physician Specialist in the Maternal and Child Health Bureau for the State of Maryland and the Medical Director for the Title X Program. A Detroit, Michigan native, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology and Cognitive Sciences from the University of Michigan before obtaining her Doctor of Medicine from Wayne State University School of Medicine. She later pursued an MBA at Yale School of Management. With over 20 years of experience as an OB-GYN, Dr. King is dedicated to ensuring that women receive compassionate, respectful care during their most intimate health experiences.
Her passion for maternal health equity and improved pregnancy outcomes has driven much of her work. During the pandemic, she founded The Dara N. King Institute for Women, a health education firm focused on enhancing health outcomes for underrepresented women, particularly women of color. A key initiative of the institute is promoting self-advocacy. Dr. King has developed a lecture series, “Girl Talk with Dr. King.” These are conversations women want and conversations girls need, designed to simplify and encourage open discussions on sensitive topics. Through the institute, she has become a vocal advocate for women’s health.
Dr. King was recently appointed to the Board of Project Scientist, an educational nonprofit that provides high-quality STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) experiences to underserved and marginalized girls ages 4-18. This role aligns with her commitment to mentorship and increasing the representation of women of color in STEAM fields. An active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Dr. King has held leadership positions, including serving as Committee Chairman for Target 2: Women’s Healthcare and Wellness. She has contributed her leadership skills to various organizations throughout her career. Beyond her professional endeavors, Dr. King is a devoted wife and mother of two boys. She values family as deeply as her mission to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.
Rahn Bailey, MD
Rahn Kennedy Bailey, MD, LSU Health Sciences Center Kathleen & John Bricker Chair of Psychiatry and Assistant Dean of Community Engagement since 2021. Additionally, as of 2024, he serves as the Academic Medical and Psychiatric Director for the New Orleans Correctional Justice Center Mental Health Services Unit. He has served as Chairman of Psychiatry at Meharry Medical College, 2008-2014, Wake Forest Medical School, 2015-2018, and National Medical Association, 2002-2006.
Dr. Bailey’s early research focused on Psychotic Disorders/SPMI, grew to include Depressive Illness/Bipolar Mood D/O, expanded to forensic topics, Competency, Confidentiality, and Risk Management. Currently, his focus is Health Disparities, Healthcare Reform, and Violence.
He has 86 peer reviewed publications in over 20 refereed journals and published three books; Health Disparities, 2013, Gun Violence, 2018, and Intimate Partner Violence, 2020.
Dr. Bailey is an advocate for change. He served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, NMA/Cobb Research Foundation 2018-2022. He chaired the National Alumni Council Board of Trustees of the National Medical Fellowships, 2015-17 and completed a six-year term on Rutgers State University Board of Trustees, 2014-2020.
He served as the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, AAPL, Board of Trustees, 1999-2005, 113th President of NMA, 2013, NMA Board of Trustees 2006-2014. In 2006, he was selected by his peers as NMA Physician of the Year during the Hurricane Katrina crisis. He was selected Outstanding Faculty Member at UT Houston, 2000, AMA Co-Chairman of the Commission to End Health Disparities, 2012-13. In 2022, Dr. Bailey received the National Medical Association Ernest Y. Williams, M.D. Clinical Scholars of Distinction Award. He was elected the 2023-25 Chair of the APA Caucus on Global Mental Health and Psychiatry and received the Solomon Carter Fuller Award at the APA Spring conference 2024.
His work has been seminal in assisting communities in caring for the health of patients, developing strategies to improve their health paradigms, and working to enhance the lives of young professionals via mentorship and professional development and authorship.
Contessa Metcalfe, MD
Dr. Contessa Metcalfe is a triple board-certified physician (OCCUPATIONAL Medicine, Preventive Medicine and Obesity Medicine). She was raised in Kansas City, Missouri and is a former Miss Xavier University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in psychology/pre-medicine. You know her from several movies and television shows including Bravo’s hit show “Married to Medicine”.
After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, Dr. Metcalfe answered her call to patriotism and decided to join the Navy. The Navy taught her to fly and allowed her to travel the world as a flight surgeon. She completed her residency training at the National Naval Medical Center and Meharry Medical College and owns Chastain Integrative Medicine, located in the prestigious Buckhead region of Atlanta where she specializes in aesthetics, preventive, occupational and addiction medicine. She is also owner of HauteDoc- a lifestyle brand.
In addition to being a successful entrepreneur, Dr. Metcalfe also serves as the Georgia Chair of the American Diabetes Association. She enjoys philanthropy, writing, riding motorcycles, traveling and spending quality time with her family – husband, family physician Dr. Walter Scott Metcalfe and their three children, Lauren, Landon and Laila.
Dr. Metcalfe advocates for criminal justice reform and health equity, especially in marginalized communities and veterans. She lives by the motto “Food is medicine and prevention is the key to healthy living.”
Gregory Hall, MD
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, and a graduate of Williams College, Dr. Greg Hall is an internal medicine physician and an expert in African American health. He serves as a Clinical Associate Professor at Case Western Reserve University’s School of Medicine and as an Associate Professor in both the Internal Medicine and Integrative Medical Sciences departments at Northeast Ohio Medical University. Dr. Hall was appointed by the governor to the Ohio Commission on Minority Health and served as Chairman for many years. He is currently the Board President of the Cuyahoga County Board of Health.
Dr. Hall wrote “Precision Medicine for African Americans: A Concise, Evidence-Based Guide to Important Differences and Better Outcomes,” which is the first comprehensive book detailing the optimal clinical care of African Americans. He also recently published “Better Black Health,” a comprehensive guide for African American families. Additionally, he is the founder of VitaCode, LLC, which produces GNetX Sequence Multivitamins for African Americans using a formula based on research-confirmed population outcomes.
He established the non-profit National Institute for African American Health, which mentors Black pre-med and medical students in their studies, facilitates research initiatives in partnership with academic institutions, and provides an online resource for consumer health education. He also hosts the podcast “Better Black Health,” which interviews Black medical specialists about specific diseases affecting the Black community and features patients discussing their health journeys.
At University Hospitals, Hall was awarded the Edgar B. Jackson, Jr., MD Endowed Chair for Clinical Excellence & Diversity, and he is the Medical Director of University Hospitals’ Cutler Center for Men, which takes a multidisciplinary approach to improving all men’s health.
Ashanda Saint Jean, MD
Dr. Ashanda Saint Jean, a graduate of The Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education/CUNY Medical School, holds a doctorate in medicine from New York Medical College. After completing her residency training at Danbury Hospital/Yale New-Haven affiliate in Danbury, Connecticut, she became a board-certified OB/GYN Physician.
Over the past two decades, Dr. Saint Jean has dedicated her career to providing quality healthcare to underrepresented minority women in urban New York City and rural upstate New York. Her commitment to excellence in healthcare delivery is rooted in a patient-centered approach that encompasses comprehensive care, mental health, and addressing social determinants of health.
Dr. Saint Jean’s expertise has led her to various roles, including former Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Health Alliance Hospitals of the Hudson Valley, a part of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network. She also serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of OB/GYN. Additionally, she is a senior Maternal Health consultant for the New York City Department of Health, served on the Ulster County Board of Health, and held leadership positions within the ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) District II (New York State).
Dr. Saint Jean’s dedication to women’s health, inclusivity, representation, and addressing maternal mortality and morbidity extends beyond her professional life. She is a delegate for the ACOG national DEI delegation, representing New York State, and a physician member for the New York State Coalition for Doula Access. Furthermore, she has been appointed to the New York State Maternal Taskforce, New York State Maternal Mortality Review Board and co-chairs the New York City Maternal Mortality Review Board.
