Transforming Population Health
The Promise of Health Equity Across Therapeutic Areas to Improve Quality and Span of Life
Speaker Information
Virginia Caine, MD
Virginia A. Caine, MD is the Director and Chief Medical Officer of the Marion County Public Health Department. She is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine Infectious Diseases Division. She is the Past President of American Public Health Association, President of the National Medical Association (NMA), Chair of the Infectious Diseases Section, and member of the NMA and Indiana COVID-19 Task Forces. Recently appointed a member of the federal committee for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Board of Scientific Counselors, Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases. In 2020, the Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ) named her as one of 40 Influential People of the past 40 years, as they celebrated 40 Years of Progress in Indianapolis.
Dr. Caine works tirelessly to promote and advance public health through innovative programs and unprecedented collaborations. Her boundless energy, vision, and drive to serve people, especially disadvantaged areas, have led Dr. Caine to have her fingerprints on numerous projects. She helped set up the first HIV/AIDS healthcare delivery system of all major hospitals in Indianapolis.
Doris Browne, MD, MPH
Dr. Doris Browne is the President and CEO of Browne and Associates, Inc., a self-owned business that addresses health disparities through education and training. In 2000, she retired from the US Army as a Colonel and spent the next nine years at the National Cancer Institute managing cancer prevention programs. Dr. Browne has dedicated her career to eliminating health disparities by focusing on prevention and health education programs related to cancer, women’s health, HIV/AIDS and chronic diseases; conducting programs directed towards enhancing participation of minority and underserved populations in clinical trials; and developing health promotion, disease prevention, and radiation casualty management programs. Dr. Browne graduated with her MPH in Community Health Sciences in 1968.
Georges Benjamin, MD
Georges C. Benjamin, MD is known as one of the nation’s most influential physician leaders because he speaks passionately and eloquently about the health issues having the most impact on our nation today. From his firsthand experience as a physician, he knows what happens when preventive care is not available and when the healthy choice is not the easy choice. As executive director of APHA since 2002, he is leading the Association’s push to make America the healthiest nation.
He came to APHA from his position as secretary of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Benjamin became secretary of health in Maryland in April 1999, following four years as its deputy secretary for public health services. As secretary, Benjamin oversaw the expansion and improvement of the state’s Medicaid program.
Benjamin, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, is a graduate of the Illinois Institute of Technology and the University of Illinois College of Medicine.
He is board-certified in internal medicine and a master of the American College of Physicians, a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, a fellow emeritus of the American College of Emergency Physicians, an honorary fellow of the Faculty of Public Health and an honorary fellow of the Royal Society of Public Health.
Adrianna Hopkins
Adrianna Hopkins is an Associated Press and Emmy award-winning morning news anchor in Washington, DC. She’s been telling stories for television for more than 20 years in various markets, including Miami and New Orleans. She’s covered major news events from hurricanes to presidential elections and everything in between. She is a speaker, panel moderator, skilled interviewer, and a journalism professor at Florida International University in D.C., leading the Caplin News DC Bureau.
Her passion is bringing awareness to women’s health issues – specifically disparities that affect Black women. She uses her platform to highlight initiatives that address those disparities and seek to find solutions. Off-screen, she partners with organizations that address those issues – moderating events for non-profits like “The White Dress Project” and higher education institutions like The Morehouse School of Medicine.
Equity is a persistent theme in her reporting as she explores topics ranging from environmental justice to the epidemic of gun violence. She earned a BA in Electronic Communications & African American Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She and her husband love living and raising their two smart and energetic kids in the nation’s capital.
Alfred L. Glover, DPM, FACFAS
Alfred L. Glover, DPM, FACFAS, Board-Certified Podiatrist in Foot and Ankle Surgery for 30 years, whose diverse career offers a broad perspective of the profession, has developed integrated ideas about project management across departments and the functional planning of clinical education for Podiatric Surgical Residency programs. At this juncture in his career, Dr. Glover has embraced a new professional challenge as a Climate Health Equity Fellow (CHEF) 2023 and is currently a Policy Experience in Equity with Climate Health (PEECH) 2024-2025 with NOAA. Moreover, he is in the first cohort at the inaugural class of the world renowned Meharry School of Global Health. Previously, he received certification in Board Leadership Training by The African American Board Leadership Institute and currently serves on the Aim MiMentor Healthcare pipeline. Dr. Glover completed the prestigious California Health Care Foundation/UCSF Leadership Fellowship in 2010, where he returned as Pod advisor for the 2018, 2020 and 2023 cohorts. Dr. Glover was instrumental in developing Podiatric Surgical Residency Programs. His extensive background and experience give him excellent academic, clinical and practical expertise, which he generously shares with his residents to help them fulfill the educational requirements of the Council on Podiatric Medical Education. Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy, Dr. Glover was Head of the Department of Podiatry at Corpus Christi Naval Hospital, with responsibilities including financial management, budget development, strategic planning, quality assurance and project management in addition to working with the U.S. Navy rapid response team for global disasters from 1990-2003. Further, he was an appointed Examiner for the American Board of Podiatric Surgery from 1995-2002 and served as an Expert Witness for Podiatric Surgical Malpractice Cases from 1995-2001. Additionally, Dr. Glover has been a Deacon at West Angeles Church of God in Christ and Chair of the Brotherhood Health and Renewable Energy Committees. Executive Coach at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, earning certification in Career Development with an emphasis on diversity and equity training in 2019.
Fatima Cody Stanford, MD, MPH, MPA, MBA, MACP, FAAP, FAHA, FAMWA, FTOS
Dr. Stanford is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics who practices and teaches at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)/ Harvard Medical School (HMS) as one of the first fellowship-trained obesity medicine physicians worldwide. She is among the most highly cited obesity medicine physician-scientists, with over 200 peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Stanford received her BS and MPH from Emory University as an MLK Scholar, her MD from the Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine as a Stoney Scholar, her MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government as a Zuckerman Fellow in the Harvard Center for Public Leadership and her executive MBA as a merit-based scholarship recipient from the Quantic School of Business and Technology. She completed her Obesity Medicine & Nutrition Fellowship at MGH/HMS after completing her internal medicine and pediatrics residency at the University of South Carolina. She has served as a health communications fellow at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and as a behavioral sciences intern at the American Cancer Society. Upon completing her MPH, she received the Gold Congressional Award, the highest honor Congress bestows upon America’s youth.
Dr. Stanford has completed a medicine and media internship at the Discovery Channel. An American Medical Association (AMA) Foundation Leadership Award recipient in 2005 and an AMA Paul Ambrose Award for national leadership among resident physicians in 2009, she was selected for the AMA Inspirational Physician Award in 2015. The American College of Physicians (ACP) selected her as the 2013 Joseph E. Johnson Leadership Award recipient, and the Massachusetts ACP selected her for the Young Leadership Award in 2015. She is the 2017 recipient of the HMS Amos Diversity Award and the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) Award for Women’s Health. In 2019, she was selected as the Suffolk District Community Clinician of the Year for the Reducing Health Disparities Award for MMS. She was chosen for The Obesity Society Clinician of the Year in 2020. In 2021, she was awarded the MMS Grant Rodkey Award for her dedication to medical students and the AMA Dr. Edmond and Rima Cabbabe Dedication to the Profession Award, which recognizes a physician who demonstrates active and productive improvement to the profession of medicine through community service, advocacy, leadership, teaching, or philanthropy. She is the 2021 Recipient of the Emory Rollins School of Public Health Distinguished Alumni Award. In 2022, the National Academy of Medicine selected her as a Scholar in Diagnostic Excellence. She was named to the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA). The National Medical Association selected her for the Meritorious Award, which recognizes a physician with national and international achievement and prominence for exceptional work in medical service, medical research, and academic medicine.
Hakeem Ayinde, MD MS FACC FHRS
Dr. Hakeem Ayinde is a board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist at the Cardiology Associates of Fredericksburg, Virginia. After completing medical education in Nigeria, he proceeded to residency training at Howard University in 2012. He then completed cardiovascular diseases fellowship at the University of Iowa in 2018, and cardiac electrophysiology fellowship training at Emory University, Atlanta, in 2020.
He runs a busy clinical practice, with a focus on management of complex arrhythmias in patients with heart failure.
Dr Ayinde’s research focuses on atrial fibrillation and cardiac implantable electronic devices. Some of his research interests include atrial fibrillation in athletes, device-detection of atrial fibrillation, and racial disparities in the management and outcomes of atrial fibrillation.
He has a very strong interest in medical education, mentoring, reducing healthcare disparities, and increasing access to healthcare among underserved populations. He believes in empowering patients and spends much of his time in community outreach efforts where he educates community members on heart disease prevention and management.
Dr. Ayinde serves as the Chair of the Internal Medicine Section of the NMA as well as the co-Chair of Cardiology subsection of the NMA. He also serves on the program committee of the Heart Rhythm Society and is a member of the cardiac electrophysiology committee and communications committee of the Association of Black Cardiologists.
Bethany Fosu, MD, MPH, FAAP
Bethany Fosu is a board-certified Pediatrician from South Carolina who completed her medical training Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). She focused her medical and public health practice in community-based practice and health disparities, particularly with MUSC Group on Diversity Affairs and international health organizations. As a physician, she has is passionate about eliminating barriers for underrepresented in medicine (URM) and minority access to health care. She remains in leadership roles through the National Medical Association (NMA).
Dr. Fosu completed the inaugural Climate and Health Equity Fellowship through the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health and the NMA collaboration. She has been providing guidance on the impact of climate change on children’s health, training other clinicians about climate health equity, and developing strategies to mitigate the devastation of climate on health. Dr. Fosu collaborated with HRSA Bureau of Primary Health Care to deliver equitable climate resources to healthcare centers. As a local and national advocate, she has contributed to book chapters, legislative testimonies, and panel discussions. Dr. Fosu was a panelist for Climate Group Climate Week in NYC. She is active with her local American Academy of Pediatrics chapter and has been elected to the Council on Environmental Health and Climate Change Executive Committee.
Dr. Fosu practiced as a General Pediatrician in the National Health Service Corps at a community health facility in Washington, DC and instructed as an Assistant Professor in Pediatrics through George Washington University. Her mission is to improve healthcare systems and delivery through innovative preventive strategies and partnerships.
Melissa Gong Mitchell
Melissa Gong Mitchell is Executive Director of the Global Coalition on Aging, the leading business voice on aging policy and strategy, aimed at reshaping how global leaders approach and prepare for the 21st century’s profound shift in population aging.
GCOA uniquely brings together global corporations across industry sectors to promote good public policy and market-based solutions centered on healthy and active aging. In her role, Melissa is responsible for the operations and management of the Coalition, internal and external communication strategies, and member and stakeholder outreach and development, including fostering relationships and aligning partners across industry, academia, the NGO community, advocacy organizations, governments and global institutions. She is a member of the Professions Working Group that advises the Age-friendly New York City Commission and has previously served as a member of the Benefit Committee of the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Melissa is a Senior Managing Director at High Lantern Group, a strategic consulting firm that helps position organizations, their leaders and their ideas in the public arena. Her 15 years of public affairs experience includes specialties in policy-related and CEO-level strategic communications, advocacy campaigns and coalition building.
Previously, Melissa was Director of Industry Relations and Strategic Outreach at the U.S. Travel Association, responsible for grassroots development and industry initiatives, having driven multiple campaigns leading to positive legislative outcomes. Prior to U.S. Travel, she served as Executive Director of the Travel Business Roundtable, a CEO-based advocacy organization, and an associate at Prime Policy Group (formerly BKSH & Associates), a Washington-based government affairs firm. Melissa holds an MBA from Georgetown University and a BA in Journalism and Psychology from the University of Mississippi.
Congresswoman Robin Kelly
Congresswoman Robin Kelly has dedicated her career to public service as an advocate for Illinois families. Since being elected to serve the 2nd Congressional District in 2013, she has worked to expand economic opportunity, community wellness, and public safety across the state, championing numerous initiatives to generate job growth, reduce health disparities, and end gun violence.
Congresswoman Kelly is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee (the main policy-writing body of the House) and serves on the Health, Communications and Technology, and Innovation, Data, and Commerce subcommittees. Her Energy and Commerce work is focused on expanding access to healthcare, consumer protection for American families, and economic development.
She is also a member of the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, which sets the policy direction of the Democratic Caucus.
A staunch champion of common sense gun reforms and responsible community policing, Representative Kelly is a Co-Chair of the Congressional Gun Violence Prevention Taskforce and is the author of The 2014 Kelly Report on Gun Violence in America, the first-ever Congressional analysis of the nation’s gun violence epidemic that offers a blueprint for ending the crisis.
Committed to improving the health and wellness of vulnerable communities across the country, the Congresswoman serves as Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, and Co-Chairs the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls. She also Co-Chairs the House Democratic Policy Group and House Tech Accountability Caucus.
Prior to her election to Congress, Kelly was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives, served as Chief Administrative Officer of Cook County (the second largest county in the United States) and was Chief of Staff to Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias – becoming the first African American woman to serve as Chief of Staff to an elected constitutional statewide officeholder.
The daughter of a small business owner and postal worker, Congresswoman Kelly moved to Illinois to attend Bradley University in Peoria, where she earned her B.A. in psychology and an M.A. in counseling. She later received a Ph.D. in political science from Northern Illinois University. She lives in Matteson and has two adult children, Kelly and Ryan.
Lucy Balogun
Lucy Balogun is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and state of Georgia Licensed Dietitian. She holds a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs from Indiana University
and a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Purdue University. Her dietetic internship was completed at the University of California Hospitals and Clinics, San Francisco. She was celebrated by Purdue University as one of the Diamonds of the Department, as the Nutrition Department celebrated its 110th year educating students.
She has been working in the field of nutrition for over 30 years. She has worked with a variety of clients, providing nutrition information to children and adults. Her employers included Clayton County Public Schools, Georgia Department of Education School Nutrition Program, Georgia Cancer Specialists, Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
She has published articles in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
and multiple professional newsletters, and has been an invited speaker at professional conferences. Her professional volunteer activities include current Chair of the National Organization of Blacks in Dietetics and Nutrition (NOBIDAN), and past Treasurer; Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation Scholarship
Review Committee, Nutrition and Dietetics Education Practitioners Task Force for Diversity in Dietetics, Hedera Foundation Scholarship Committee, and 2016-2017 Diversity Chair for Georgia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. serving as her chapter’s past chair of the Connections Committee which works with public policy and voter mobilization.
W. Christopher Golden, MD, FAAP
Christopher Golden, MD, FAAP, chair of the Pediatric Section of the National Medical Association, is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Clinically trained as a neonatologist, he works in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center and directs the Johns Hopkins Newborn Nursery and the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program. His clinical research interests include congenital/neonatal infections, neonatal brain imaging, hyperbilirubinemia, and care of healthy babies. He is also a pediatric medical educator, serving as Director of the Pediatrics Core Clerkship at Johns Hopkins and a past member of the Executive Committee of the Council on Medical Student Education in Pediatrics (COMSEP), a national organization which develops best practice strategies for pediatric undergraduate medical education. Additionally, Dr. Golden, in collaboration with eight other national colleagues in medical education and student affairs, has developed a workshop on addressing microaggressions in medical environments that has been presented virtually and in person at medical schools and national and international medical conferences. Christopher has published multiple articles on topics in neonatology and medical education in respected journals such as Pediatrics, Academic Medicine, Academic Pediatrics, The Journal of Perinatology, JAMA Pediatrics, The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and The Journal of Pediatrics (where he serves on the Editorial Board).
Brian Greer
With over a decade of government service in Congress and at the Pentagon, Brian Greer has developed extensive expertise and deep relationships by advising members of the House, Senate, and senior officials at the Department of Defense (DOD) on achieving their legislative, strategic, and national security goals.
A veteran of both sides of Capitol Hill, Brian worked for three years as a top aide for U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Schumer, serving as a Senior Policy Advisor for defense, energy and foreign affairs issues. He later went on to work as a Professional Staff Member for the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), advising Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) on the following issues: DOD Acquisition Reform, manufacturing and industrial base policy and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) oversight.
During the Obama Administration, Brian worked in the Office of the Secretary of Defense as a Special Assistant for the Assistant Secretary of Legislative Affairs. During his tenure at the Department of Defense, he designed strategic engagement plans and drafted legislative priorities for senior DOD officials and advised them on achieving their policy goals. He collaborated with House, Senate, and Armed Services Committee staff to create, expand, and defend the Secretary of Defense’s Advanced Biofuels Program, to reduce the military’s dependency on petroleum-based fuels and improve security for service members.
Previously, he held several senior staff roles for Rep. David Scott (D-GA) and former Rep. John Boccieri (D-OH), advising them on a wide range of national security issues.
A native of Marietta, Georgia, Brian holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and a master’s from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. He served on the Congressional Black Associates Board and is a Truman National Security Partner. In 2019, Brian was honored by New America’s Diversity in National Security Network as a Next Generation Leader in National Security and Foreign Policy.
Brian and his wife Natalie, an Arkansas native, live in Washington, DC. with their son and daughter.
Carl Schmid
Executive Director, HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute, Washington, D.C.
Carl Schmid has been a national policy and advocacy leader in the HIV community for over 25 years. He spent 16 years with The AIDS Institute, serving as its Deputy Executive Director. In December 2019, he formed the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute, which promotes quality and affordable healthcare for people living with or at risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other serious and chronic health conditions.
Mr. Schmid leads advocacy efforts to ensure domestic HIV and hepatitis programs are based on sound public policy and fully funded. He has expertise in healthcare financing systems, including Medicaid and Medicare, and leads efforts to ensure that the Affordable Care Act meets the needs of beneficiaries, including prescription medications.
From December 2018 to August 2021 he served as Co-Chair of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) and Co-Chaired its Ending the HIV Epidemic subcommittee through June 2023. He currently serves as a consumer representative to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, a member of the NAIC/Consumer Participation Board of Trustees, and Chair of the Leadership Advisory Council for the U.S. Business Action to End HIV.
He is a cancer survivor and living with chronic hepatitis B. Mr. Schmid earned a B.A. in Public Affairs and an M.B.A. in International Affairs from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C
Cheryl Holder, MD
Dr. Cheryl L. Holder, Fellow in the American College of Physicians, has dedicated her medical career to caring for low wealth populations. She has served as a National Health Service Corp Scholar, as Medical Director of Jackson memorial Hospital’s north Dade Health and as a participant on NIH and CDC health advisory and programmatic review panels.
Since 2009, as faculty at Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida International University, she focuses on teaching the impact of social determinants of health, addressing diversity in health professions through pipeline programs, increasing awareness of HIV prevention and health impact of climate change. Most recently, TED Talk selected her 2020 “The link between climate change, health and poverty”.as one of 25, Editor’s Pick.
Chris T. Pernell, MD
Dr. Chris T. Pernell is a dynamic physician leader and social change agent. In her practice, she focuses on health justice, community-based advocacy, and population-wide health promotion and disease prevention. A celebrated visionary and apostle of public health, Dr. Chris serves as the Director of the NAACP Center for Health Equity. The Center is charged with driving equitable health outcomes and transforming healthcare systems while valuing the whole person. Prior to joining the nation’s oldest and most venerable civil rights organization, she launched The Esther Group, a public health consulting and health equity strategy firm. As founder of The Esther Group, she lives the mandate to dare a future where organizations, communities and systems can innovate for a better world and humanity.
Previously, she served as the first Chief Strategic Integration and Health Equity Officer at University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey. Dr. Pernell oversaw a portfolio which included Population Health, Strategic Planning, Community Affairs, and the Human Experience. Her office was responsible for leading health equity strategy development and integrating diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism initiatives across all system operations.
Prior to joining University Hospital, she led the 1199SEIU/League Labor Management Initiatives (LMI) Workplace and Community Health Program. Working with 1199SEIU leaders and frontline workers-the nation’s largest healthcare union-and executive partners across NYC healthcare institutions, her efforts centered on workplace health strategies, worker empowerment, health equity, and health system transformation.
Dr. Chris is a charismatic and leading voice in preventive medicine and public health. Singled out both for her business acumen and public health expertise, her list of honors include: ROI-NJ Top 150 Business Leaders; The Greenleaf Center Hall of Fame Servant-Leader; The New Jersey Public Health Association Dr. Ezra Mundy Hunt Award for distinctive leadership in the field; an NJBiz Best 50 Women in Business Award; a ROI-NJ Women in Business Influencer; The American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM) Ron Davis Special Recognition Award; an NJBiz Public Health Hero Award; and the NAACP NJ State Conference 100 Black People Who Changed the World Honoree.
Dr. Pernell has spearheaded issues such as criminal justice reform, care for justice-impacted populations, evidence-based wellness programs, civic health, and high-quality education. Known for her community work in the Greater Newark, New Jersey area, she serves on the Essex County Civilian Task Force as a medical expert. On Juneteenth 2023, she was tapped to join the New Jersey Reparations Council as a member of their health equity committee. Dr. Pernell is a frequent contributor across television, radio, and print media leveraging her lived experiences and insights as a public health physician and health equity champion. She regularly speaks at professional symposia and social forums and advises community, state, regional, and national leaders on health equity, racial justice, population health, community wellbeing, and faith-based initiatives.
Dr. Chris graduated cum laude from Princeton University before attending Duke University School of Medicine. She received her Master of Public Health from the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health and completed the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health General Preventive Medicine Residency. Dr. Pernell is a fellow and Regent-at-Large for the American College of Preventive Medicine. She holds an appointment as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. Previously, she taught as an adjunct associate professor at the NYU College of Global Public Health. She labors as a faith leader in a groundbreaking assembly, BET HaSHEM YHWH Worldwide Ministries, and travels domestically and overseas helping to transform lives through love, truth, creativity, and inspiration.
Chidimma Acholonu, MD
Dr. Chidimma Acholonu is the current Chair and Trustee for the Post-Graduate Section of the NMA, which supports Residents, Fellows and Early-Career Physician members. She is a Pediatric Emergency Medicine fellow at Children’s National Hospital in Washington DC. She completed her pediatric residency at University of Chicago where she also served as Chief Resident before transitioning to fellowship. She earned her medical degree from Morehouse School of Medicine where she was actively involved with the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) and continues to work closely with medical students through SNMA. Beyond her clinical fellowship, Dr. Acholonu currently serves as the Chair and Trustee for the Post Graduate Section of the National Medical Association. She also serves as the Communication Chair for the Section on Minority Health, Equity and Inclusion for the American Academy of Pediatrics and is a current scholar for the Emergency Medical Service for Children (EMSC) program, where she is working to optimize best practices for utilizing security and law enforcement in emergency department spaces through a trauma-informed lens. Prior to matriculating to medical school, Dr. Acholonu earned her Master of Public Health degree from George Washington University, with a concentration in Community-Oriented Primary Care and afterwards continued to work in the school health sector, through health education, health promotion and capacity building, with Chicago, Washington D.C., Baltimore, and Alexandria public schools. Dr. Acholonu is passionate about building and reinforcing a diverse physician pipeline and promoting best practices for the care of children, especially those from most vulnerable and marginalized populations.
Priscilla Mpasi, MD
Dr. Priscilla Mpasi is the Assistant Medical Director for the Population Health Clinical Alliance, the Medical Director for Delaware Medicaid Partners (ACO) and a primary care Pediatrician at ChristianaCare Health System. She completed the National Clinicians Scholars Program health policy fellowship and is completing a Master of Science in Health Policy and Research at the University of Pennsylvania. She earned her B.S. in Psychology from Duke University, her M.D. from Virginia Commonwealth University and completed a pediatrics residency with a certificate in Advocacy at the University of Maryland Children’s Hospital.
Her primary work is centered on population health management to promote quality health delivery, optimize patient navigation in the healthcare system and enhance resource utilization. She equally focuses on Medicaid network adequacy where she provides clinical leadership and strategic development for program development and patient engagement efforts. Her particular emphasis is on pediatric and maternal health patients and expanding access to social health resources for medically vulnerable populations. She also promotes educational preparation and leadership development for physicians and medical students of color to expand workforce diversity in the medical field.
Dr. Mpasi is a nationally recognized leader in healthcare and a regarded expert in pediatric health and minority health outcomes. She is the first woman and first black person Governor-Appointed Chair for the Delaware Healthy Mother and Infant Consortium that provides statewide leadership and coordination to improve maternal and child health outcomes. She currently serves as the Region II Trustee on the Board of Trustees for the National Medical Association (NMA) and has also held national office for the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Medical Association. She has received numerous awards that includes the Women We Admire Top 50 Women Leaders in Delaware, National Minority Quality Forum 40 Under 40 Leaders in Health, the Virginia Commonwealth University 10 Under 10 Alumni, the NMA Top Healthcare Professionals Under 40, and the AMA Foundation Physicians of Tomorrow Award.
Dr. Mpasi is originally from Silver Spring, MD with family origins from the Democratic Republic of Congo and currently resides in Philadelphia, PA.
Cynthia Swann, MD
Dr. Cynthia Swann is a distinguished leader at the intersection of law, medicine, and policy, dedicated to advancing civil rights, social justice, environmental justice, and health equity. As Chief Administrative Officer of the Hip Hop Caucus Education Fund and President & CEO of Swann Group Global (SGG), she leverages her expertise in legal advocacy, public health, and global policy to drive systemic change.
Dr. Swann holds key leadership roles in the American Bar Association (ABA), serving as Secretary of the Section of Civil Rights & Social Justice (CRSJ – known as the ‘conscience of the ABA), Co-Chair of the Taskforce on Fair Elections & Voting Rights, Chair of the Perfecting Democracy Initiative, and Special Counsel to the CRSJ Criminal Justice Committee. She is also a presidential appointee to the ABA Environmental Justice Task Force, an Executive Council Member of the Section of State & Local Government Law, member of the Health Law Section, and a contributing editor to the award-winning ABA CRSJ Human Rights Magazine. Additionally, she serves as Vice-Chair of the National Bar Association’s (NBA) Civil Rights Law Section, and is affiliated with the National Medical Association (NMA).
With extensive experience in legislative advocacy, she works to influence policies on policing, deaths in custody, voting rights, health equity, and the protection of civil liberties, ensuring that legal frameworks uphold justice and equity for marginalized communities. She has advised on physician protocols for emergency medicine and shock trauma, consulted on criminal justice reform, and played a pivotal role in addressing health disparities driven by climate change, pollution, and systemic inequities.
Previously, as Senior Director & Chief Counsel of the National Education Association (NEA), Dr. Swann led policy initiatives on education, labor rights, social justice, and public health. She directed NEA’s Department of International Relations, expanding its global policy influence and representing U.S. interests in education and labor forums worldwide. She led NEA’s engagement with Education International (EI), an organization representing over 32 million educators across 160+ countries.
Dr. Swann’s global health leadership includes leadership on a regional strategic planning team in Kyrgyzstan, where she developed policy recommendations on healthcare and education equity for women and girls in Central Asia as well as collaborations on related issues in areas in Central
and South America. She has collaborated with international organizations such as Amnesty International, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and UNICEF, advancing initiatives in human rights, environmental policy, and public health. She has organized, participated, and/or presented globally in Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East, and North and South America.
Her healthcare leadership includes serving as medical and executive director of a large urban multi-specialty healthcare system, overseeing acute and long-term care, ambulatory surgery, mental health services, and air ambulance operations. She has been a strong advocate for minority health equity, ensuring marginalized communities have access to quality care and public health protections.
With a career spanning advocacy and practice in the areas of healthcare, law, social work, policy reform, and global activism, Dr. Swann remains at the forefront of justice-driven leadership. She continues to advise on medical oversight, international policy, and systemic reforms, integrating law, medicine, and public policy to advance equity and justice.
Dr. Swann is an alumna of the University of Maryland-College Park and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) David Geffen School of Medicine & UCLA School of Law.
Dr. Titilope Fasipe
Dr. Fasipe is Co-Director of the Texas Children’s Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Program and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in Hematology/Oncology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. She is passionate about public health strategies to curb the psychosocial barriers and health complications of individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD). She is actively involved in various community and policy efforts aimed at understanding and addressing these challenges.
Dr. Fasipe has been repeatedly appointed to sickle cell-related advisory committees of the Texas Department of State Health Services and currently chairs the Sickle Cell Task Force. Her professional memberships include: American Academy of Pediatrics; Heartland-Southwest SCD Network; American Society of Hematology (ASH); ASH Research Collaborative’s SCD National Community Advisory Board; American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology; NHLBI SCD Advisory Committee; and Community Input Panel of the NHLBI Cure Sickle Cell Initiative.
Dr. Fasipe has the unique perspective of relating to and understanding the need for education, community awareness, support, and medical care as she is a pediatric hematologist as well as an individual with sickle cell disease.
Iyanla Kollock
Iyanla Kollock is a Policy Advisor for Representative Shomari Figures, where she leads his legislative team and oversees his work on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Iyanla plays a key role in shaping policy for the committee and guiding the Congressman’s legislative agenda.
A graduate of Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Iyanla earned her B.A. in Criminal Justice with a minor in Political Science and was a sprinter on the Rutgers Women’s Track and Field team. Prior to her current role, she served as a Legislative Assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives, specializing in financial services and healthcare policy. With experience working for two members of the Financial Services Committee, Iyanla has developed a strong understanding of financial services policy and the operations of Congress.
In addition to her legislative work, Iyanla has been deeply involved in the Congressional Black Associates (CBA), serving as Vice President and Director of Social Engagement. CBA is one of the largest staff associations on Capitol Hill, focused on advocating for the social, political, and economic advancement of Black staffers in Congress.
Joe Robinson
Joe Robinson leads the Silver Lining Initiative, a nonprofit supporting mature
African American men living with HIV. With six years of experience, he expands
services and advocacy to improve health outcomes and quality of life for this vulnerable population. His commitment to amplifying Black gay elders’ voices is evident in his USCHA conference presentations.
Previously, as Program Manager for the Silver Lining Project/THRIVE SS, Joe spearheaded transformative initiatives, building a high-performing team and increasing program capacity by 20%. His Silver Skills Curriculum, addressing HIV
& Aging, PTSD, Trauma, Loss, and Stigma, empowered Silver Lining Program participants through roundtable discussions, skills training, photo campaigns,
retreats, data evaluation, and comprehensive logistical support, including event planning, linkage to care, and transportation.
A key focus of his work has been direct engagement with program participants. Through refined Silver Lining Program programs, Joe engaged over 50 Black
same-gender-loving (SGL) men living with HIV annually. His recontextualization of the Silver Skills Curriculum for 60 Black SGL men over three years contributed to an 85% viral suppression rate and improved well-being for 150 Black SGL men over 50.
Passionate about creating safe spaces, Joe developed community outreach programs and social events. His expertise includes facilitating discussions and advocating for community issues. He implemented program evaluations, resulting in a 20% increase in participant satisfaction, and provides technical assistance to staff and partners. His leadership extends to projects like “I Quilt Because,” a documentary he executive produced in partnership with the Southern AIDS Coalition and the National AIDS Memorial, funded by a grant from the same
organizations, addressing HIV stigma, and co-authoring the article “Reflections of
Men over 50, Black and Gay,” published on AgingWhileBlack.com. His dedication and strategic vision are essential to the Silver Lining Initiative’s continued success.
Keith Boykin
Keith Boykin is a New York Times best-selling author of seven books. His latest book is Why Does Everything Have to Be About Race? 25 Arguments That Won’t Go Away (2024).
Keith studied under critical race theory founder Derrick Bell at Harvard, attended law school with future President Barack Obama, helped organize the first ever meeting between LGBT leaders and a sitting U.S. president with Bill Clinton, marched with civil rights leader Coretta Scott King in Atlanta, and traveled on a presidential delegation to Africa with the Rev. Jesse Jackson.
A graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School, Keith has taught at several colleges, including Columbia University’s Institute for Research in African-American Studies. He is a co-founder and first board president of the National Black Justice Coalition.
Keith served as a national political commentator for CNN, co-hosted the BET talk show “My Two Cents,” starred on the Showtime reality TV series “American Candidate,” worked as an associate producer of the film “Dirty Laundry,” and has appeared on numerous TV shows, including BET’s “Being Mary Jane” and ABC’s “The View.”
Keith currently writes a nationally syndicated column and produces an online video series called “Black Vote, Black Power” for Word In Black news. Born in St. Louis, he has traveled five continents, lived in 12 cities, and visited 48 of the 50 United States. He currently lives in Los Angeles.
Rick Kittles, PhD
Rick Kittles, Ph.D., is the inaugural Senior Vice President for Research at Morehouse School of Medicine. Dr. Kittles was previously Professor and founding Director of the Division of Health Equities within the Department of Population Sciences at the City of Hope (COH) and Associate Director of Health Equities of COH Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Kittles is also Co-founder and Scientific Director of African Ancestry, Inc. Dr. Kittles serves on many national and international steering committees and advisory boards. He has been a member of the Board of Scientific Counselors (BSC) for the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI/NIH) and is Past Council Chair of the Minorities in Cancer Research (MICR) of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). He has been at the forefront of the development of genetic markers for ancestry and how genetic ancestry can be used in studies on disease risk and outcomes. He received a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from George Washington University in 1998.
Dr. Kittles’ research has focused on understanding the complex issues surrounding race, genetic ancestry, and health. He has published over 260 research articles and is well known for his research on prostate cancer and health disparities among African Americans.
Michael McGee, MD
Dr. Michael McGee is a compassionate, caring physician who has been practicing emergency medicine since 2004. He graduated from Purdue University where he completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology/Psychology. Dr. McGee later achieved a Masters in Public Health in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the University of Illinois in Chicago, a Medical Doctorate from Rush Medical College in Chicago, and completed his Internship and Residency in the Department of Emergency Medicine at New York University (NYU) / Bellevue Hospital Medical Center in New York, NY. Upon completion of residency, Dr. McGee worked as an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at Emory/Grady Medical Center in Atlanta, Georgia. In March of 2010, he became the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of an independent Methodist ER Group called Northwest Emergency Associates (NEA), LLC. In 2019 NEA merged with Vituity Healthcare and Dr. McGee currently functions as the Chairman for the Emergency Medicine Departments at Methodist Hospitals in Gary and Merrillville, Indiana. He is also the President and Chief Executive Officer (CE) of Premier Urgent Care and Occupational Health Center which is the first private comprehensive Urgent Care Center in Hyde Park. At a recent conference of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), Dr. McGee was selective as the Chair of the Firearm Violence and Injury Prevention Committee of the ACEP Diversity, Inclusion, and Health Equity (DIHE) Section. He was recently appointed as the National Chair for the Violence Prevention Action Committee for 100 Black Men of America, as well as, COVID Chair for Health and Wellness Committee for 100 Black Men of Chicago. In 2020, Dr. McGee received special recognition for his work with Firearm Violence which included: The National Medical Association, EM Section, Tamara O’Neal, MD Social Justice Award, Vituity Dr. Wes Curry Award in Social Justice, February Healthcare Hero Recognition Award by Vituity, and the Rush Medical College Black History Month Graduate Spotlight.
Due to his public health background, Dr. McGee supports various youth programs focused on violence prevention within the communities of NWI and Chicago. He created a youth health awareness and violence prevention outreach program called Project Outreach and Prevent (POP) on Teen Violence, Inc. In April 2014, he partnered with Dr Reuben Rutland, the Chief of Trauma of Methodist Hospital, and together they incorporated POP on Teen Violence and established 501c3 tax-exempt status. A component of this program includes a mentoring program called Health Professions Enrichment Program (HPEP), as well as the Merit Health Scholarship program for graduating minority high students pursuing careers in medicine, dentistry, or nursing. Dr. McGee, as well as, his other 2 partners (Dr. Airron Richardson and Dr. Reuben C Rutland who both serve on the Board of Directors of P.O.P. on Teen Violence, Inc) have all pledged to donate a percentage of the profits made at Premier Urgent Care and OccHealth Center to this non-profit organization to help assist the communities of Chicago with efforts to combat youth violence.
Dr. McGee has received multiple awards and honors. He is a member of multiple organizations, such as the American Medical Association, National Medical Association, Cook County Physicians Association, Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity Incorporated, etc. and has a Brown Belt in Shodokan Karate.
Nicole Varner
Nicole Varner currently serves as the Executive Director of the Congressional Black Caucus PAC. She recently joined from the office of Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33), where she served as Chief of Staff since 2021. Her decade-long career in public service includes significant experience working with key Congressional leaders, including former Congressman Joe Kennedy (MA-04) and Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-04), where she served as Executive Director of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust during the critical early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to her career in public service, Varner practiced law in Birmingham, Alabama, where she founded the Varner Firm, LLC, focusing on representing indigent and low-income clients in criminal, family, and probate matters. She holds a Juris Doctor from Loyola University College of Law in New Orleans and a Bachelor’s degree from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta.
Nielah Tucker
Nielah Tucker serves as a Director in PhRMA’s Federal Advocacy department. In this role, she advocates on key priority issues to improve patient access and affordability to innovative lifesaving treatments and therapies. Her background combines community-based programming and government affairs expertise. Prior to joining PhRMA, Nielah supported program implementation for early childhood mental health services as a Program Support Specialist for the DC Department of Behavioral Health and facilitated the development of a health and medical coalition for DC Department of Health’s Emergency and Preparedness department. Nielah holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and Allied Health from Howard University, and a Master of Public Health and Community Health from Trinity Washington University.
State Rep. Gregory Porter
Gregory W. Porter is a member of the 124th Indiana General Assembly and is now serving his 15th term for the 96th Indiana House District in Indianapolis. He is currently ranking minority member of the Indiana House Ways and Means Committee and is a voting member of the State Budget Committee as well as the Public Health and Insurance committees.
Porter is past president of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL). As a member of the Indiana General Assembly, he and his legislative colleagues authored Resolution No. 56 that renames the section of Interstate Highway 65 from Seymour, Indiana to Johnson County the “Tuskegee Airmen Highway.” Mr. Porter also holds the position of senior vice-president of External Affairs for the Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County.
Porter is a past president of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL), which is composed of nearly 700 Black state legislators across 46 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. NBCSL’s primary mission is to develop, conduct and promote educational, research and training programs designed to enhance the effectiveness of its members as they consider legislation and issues of public policy which impact, either directly or indirectly upon “the general welfare” of African American constituents within their respective jurisdictions.
As sr. vice-president of External Affairs at Health and Hospital Corporations of Marion County, Porter advises the president on strategies from communicating to and involving the community at large within the corporation’s goals and facilitates relationships between the corporation and external stakeholders, and acts in the capacity of a community liaison.
Porter has held a number of board positions and other leadership roles within the state and at the national level. He is past chairman of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus and past chairman of the Indiana House Educational Committee. Mr. Porter served on the National Taskforce for No Child Left Behind, the County of State Government, the NAACP, and the Earlham College African American Advisory Board. He has chaired the Education Committees of the NBCSL, Council of State Governments and National Caucus of State Legislators. He also has authored legislation that established accountability and standards for k-12 education, cultural competency, and anti-bullying.
He also serves on a variety of other community/neighborhood based organizations including:
Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis, Inc.
Independent Colleges of Indiana
Indiana Sports Corporation Board of Directors
Indianapolis Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen
Kennedy/King Memorial Initiative – Chairperson
Mapleton Fall Creek Community Development Corporation
NAACP – Lifetime Member
National Black Nurses Association, Indianapolis Chapter Advisory Board
State Fair Advisory Commission
Mr. Porter has received numerous awards not limited to but including the—2019 Father Boniface Hardin Founders Award, Concern Clergy President’s Award, American Association for Access, Equity and Diversity “Drum Major for Justice Award,” 2018 Dr. Mozel Sanders Drum Major for Political and Social Justice, Indiana State Medical Association 2016, NAACP 2015 Pathfinder Award, Martin Center Distinguished Sickle Cell Champion Award, Indianapolis Urban League – 2015 Servant Leadership Legacy Award, Prevent Child Abuse of Indiana Leadership Award, Indiana Early Care Education Legislative Award, Indiana Council of Administrators of Special Education Award, Indiana School Counselors Association Friend of Youth Award, National Black Caucus of State Legislators Award, Indiana Minority Health Coalition Legislative Award, the Marion County Commission on Youth Holiday Honors Award, the 2021 Final Four Legacy Award, the 2022 INARF Legislator of the Year Award, the 2023 CIOCA-aging In Home Solutions Dementia Friends Indiana Advocate Award, and the 2023 Legislative Champion Award Indiana Association of Area Agencies on Aging.
He is a native of Indianapolis, a graduate of Shortridge High School and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Earlham College where he received the Outstanding Alumni Award. He has also been inducted into the Shortridge High School Hall of Fame and the Indianapolis Public Schools Hall of Fame. He graduated from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government Executive Program in 2001 and served on the Harvard working group on early childhood science and policy. He has an honorary doctorate degree from Martin University, Indianapolis, Indiana.
He is a faithful member of Phillips Temple C.M.E. church where he serves as trustee and is on the usher board. Greg and his wife Yvette, have three children.
Rep. Robin Shackleford
Elected in 2012, Shackleford represents Indiana House District 98. She serves as Ranking Democrat on the Public Health Committee and is a member of the Insurance and the Courts and Criminal Code committees. She currently serves on the Interim Health Care Cost Oversight Taskforce, the Medicaid Advisory Committee and the Interagency Council on Black and Minority Health. Shackleford is also the chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus Education Foundation and serves on the Advisory Board for the Indiana All Payers Claim Database (INAPCD).
Shackleford serves on the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance Committee and the Technology and Communications Committee for the National Caucus of State Legislators (NCSL). For the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL), Shackleford serves as a Regional Chair and was a former member-at-large, and served as the Committee Chair for Youth and Family.
Shackleford has worked as a Policy and Research Specialist for the Indiana Health Care Association and has over 10 years of project management experience with Engaging Solutions, LLC and Crowe LLP.
Shackleford currently works as an independent life and health insurance broker and is a former chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus.
Shackleford is a graduate of Indiana University and IUPUI, having earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public affairs. She was a former Board President for Pathway Resource Center and former board member for Indy Reads and Martin University
Other civic involvement includes the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Indianapolis Chapter, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, Governing Institute’s Women in Government Leadership, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the Highland Project, Cohort #2.
As an advocate for access to affordable and quality healthcare, Shackleford strives to improve the overall health and wealth of all Hoosiers and continues to fight for improvements in chronic illnesses and community development.
Rep. Ashanti Martinez
State Rep. Cia Price
Marcia, affectionately known as “Cia”, was born and raised on the Peninsula in the District she now serves. Del. Price worked as a special assistant in the Virginia Liaison Office under then Governor Mark Warner and as a state coordinator for the NAACP This Is My Vote! Campaign for voter registration, education, and mobilization. After what was supposed to be a month long internship at a dental office, she enjoyed an almost 10 year career of dental office administration and management because she was passionate about helping people get the care that they needed. In September 2016, she worked to start Virginia Black Leadership Organizing Collaborative (VA BLOC), a non-profit focused on “building empowered communities” through integrated voter engagement, civic involvement, and leadership development, where she serves as Director.
On November 7, 2023, Del. Price was reelected for her fifth term to represent the new 85th District in the Virginia House of Delegates. She is the chief sponsor of the Voting Rights Act of Virginia (2021) and has focused largely on voting rights, housing justice, and gun violence prevention, among other issues.
She currently serves on the Health and Human Services Committee and is Chair for the Health Professions Subcommittee and a member of the Health Subcommittee.
On the General Laws Committee, she serves on the ABC/Gaming Subcommittee and the Housing/Consumer Protections Subcommittee.
And she is the first Black woman to serve as Chair of the House Privileges and Elections Committee, which is the longest continuously running legislative committee in the nation.
Further, Price is Chair of the newly formed Virginia Commission to End Hunger working with stakeholders to establish legislative priorities to help with food security in Virginia. And she serves on the Joint Commission on Health Care.
Rep. Harold Love
Stephanie Worth
Stefanie Worth is a 30-year nonprofit professional and spent nearly as much time as caregiver for a Sickle Cell Warrior. Her career has focused on improving the health of marginalized, underserved individuals. Describing herself as a serial innovator, her career achievements have revolved around process and product improvement, generating solutions, and creating positive impact for clients and communities.
She had the opportunity to build, name and launch Visit Detroit’s first web site; propel the local American Diabetes Association office into social media; earn national recognition for the Michigan Chronicle a as feature writer and editor; and put an award-winning spotlight on social determinants of health at the American Heart Association by creating a forum to transform wellness approaches. She thrives on making a difference.
Stefanie started her career in broadcasting at mid-Missouri ABC and NPR affiliates, then WJLB radio in Detroit. After switching to newspaper reporting at the Michigan Chronicle, she penned her first sickle cell article – not knowing it would foreshadow her own caregiver advocacy journey with the son she’d have nine years later.
Fast forward and, tragically, her Warrior, Thomas, passed away in 2023 at age 26 from complications of sickle cell disease. The devastating loss drove her to create Voices of Winged Warriors in his honor. The nonprofit holds space for grievers in the community and helps to channel their sorrow into strength though initiatives like Sickle Cell STAT – VoWW’s guideline-based quality assurance initiative.
She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and serves on the board of Alternatives for Girls. Stefanie has also served as Operations & Outreach Director for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America-Michigan, as a reviewer for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Sickle Cell Clinic Expansion and Enhancement program, and was recently appointed to the State of Michigan Newborn Screening Quality Assurance Advisory Committee.
Stefanie remains a mom of three: two young adults and one angel. She carries Thomas’ legacy of creativity and accomplishment forward through Voices of Winged Warriors, continuing to fight for the future he deserved and the lives of other Sickle Cell Warriors.
Stephanie Young
Stephanie L. Young is a sought-after thought leader at the intersection of culture, social impact and Democracy. She is also a leading communications and brand strategist with a proven track record of building strong connections and developing messaging, content and creative solutions for issues involving culture, entertainment, justice and Democracy in the public and private sectors.
Stephanie currently serves as the Executive Director of When We All Vote, a non-partisan voting initiative launched by Michelle Obama in 2018. During her time as Executive Director, Stephanie has created and implemented the inaugural Culture of Democracy Summit— a four-day convening that brought together a cross section of industry leaders from tech, music, sports, entertainment, corporate and civic engagement to explore their individual and collective roles in expanding and protecting Democracy.
The bi-annual Summit included a Keynote address from Michelle Obama, 85+ speakers, 1,000+ in-person attendees, 179k+ livestreams, 205M+ impressions and 73k engagements on social media, and remains a growing brand for When We All Vote. Under her leadership, Stephanie also led a brand refresh for the organization, expanded the celebrity Co-Chair roster and implemented new advocacy and chapter leader organizing programs.
In 2020 as the Chief Officer for Communications and Culture, Stephanie led When We All Vote’s messaging and cultural strategy that helped register over 500,000 voters— the largest increase in voter participation in over 120 years. She brought strong partnerships to the table and helped recruit over 400 artists, athletes, and influencers to help the campaign reach over 220 million individuals on social media.
Stephanie has over 15 years of strategic communications and public engagement experience ranging from the Obama White House, political campaigns, House Democratic Leadership and leading television networks BET and NBC Cable Ent.
During her time in the Obama Administration, she had the unique opportunity of serving in two critical roles as the Associate Communications Director and then as the Senior Public Engagement Advisor in the Office of Public Engagement. Prior to her White House stint, she worked as the National Press Secretary for Majority Leader Hoyer and Communications Director for the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC).
Stephanie is a graduate of Hampton University who has also lived in Atlanta, Cape Town, Dallas, Jacksonville, Washington D.C, and Brooklyn before moving to Los Angeles, California where she currently resides.
Tami D. Benton, MD
Tami D. Benton, MD, is the Frederick H. Allen Chair in Child Psychiatry at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). She is the Psychiatrist-inChief and Chair of the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at CHOP and Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. She directs the Child and Adolescent Mood Program and the Youth Suicide Prevention Center at CHOP, a multidisciplinary clinical and research program focused on
depression and suicide among children and adolescents, with an emphasis on minority youth. She is the President of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) and the Immediate Past President of the American Association of Directors of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AADCAP). She is also a distinguished fellow of AACAP. She was recently awarded the 2023 Service Award presented by the Council on Concerns of Women Physicians (CCWP) of the National Medical Association (NMA), the Blanche Ittelson Award for Child Psychiatry Research in 2023 by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the Shelly Leaphart-Williams Community Outreach Award by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the Humanitarian Award by the Society of Biological Psychiatry, the McGavin Award for Advocacy by the American Psychiatric Association, the Virginia Q. Anthony Women’s Leadership Award, and the Jeanne
Spurlock Award for Leadership in Diversity and Culture by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She has served on the APA’s Council for Research, the NIMH Advisory Council, and previously as AACAP’s Program Committee Co-chair. She receives funding for research from the NIH, PCORI, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Dr. Benton’s career has been dedicated to developing leadership for a diverse child psychiatry workforce. Her mission is to prepare the next generation of diverse physician leaders in pediatric and mental health care and create partnerships between communities and academic centers that will be critical for eliminating disparities in health care.
Alexis Thompson, MD
Dr. Alexis Thompson is Chief, Division of Hematology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She is also Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and holds the Elias Schwartz MD Endowed Chair in Hematology. From 2001 to 2021, Dr. Thompson was the Hematology Section Head at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, held the A. Watson and Sarah Armour Endowed Chair for Blood Diseases and Cancer and was Professor of Pediatrics at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. For over 12 years, she was also Associate Director for Equity and Minority Health at the Northwestern University’s Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Dr. Thompson has co-authored nearly 200 papers published in peer-reviewed journals. Her clinical interests include hemoglobinopathies (thalassemia and sickle cell disease), and stem cell transplantation in pediatric patients, including gene therapy. She has been an investigator on multi-center trials and as well as her own institutional clinical studies. Her most significant scientific contributions are clinical and translation studies to better understand and treat hemoglobinopathies. She has been a leader in multicenter collaborations, such as the NHLBI-funded Thalassemia Clinical Research Network and the Sickle Cell Disease Implementation Consortium, as well as the former CDC-supported consortium of thalassemia treatment centers. She has served on regional and national on advisory committees for governmental agencies as well as non-profit organizations focused on improving healthcare access, increasing workforce diversity and reducing health disparities. As a leader of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), including ASH President in 2018, Dr. Thompson helped to develop a comprehensive report on the current state of clinical care for SCD to identify unmet medical needs, launch a national sickle cell data collection platform and create a sickle cell learning community to improve outcomes. She is also leading efforts to implement newborn screening and early intervention efforts in sub-Saharan Africa, where the burden of SCD is profound. Dr. Thompson received the ASH Award for Leadership in Promoting Diversity in 2023 and was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2024.
Toyosi Onwuemene, MD
Dr. Toyosi Onwuemene is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Duke University. A Magna cum Laude graduate of Wesleyan College, Dr. Onwuemene obtained her MD from Duke University. She completed Internal Medicine residency at Duke University Medical Center. She completed her Hematology/Oncology fellowship at the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University. She also has a master’s degree in clinical investigation from Northwestern University. Dr. Onwuemene is a classical hematologist who leads a health service research program in rare blood disorders. She has served as principal investigator (PI) or co-investigator on several NIH- and foundation-sponsored clinical trials. Among others, she currently serves as PI of an NCATS (National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences)-funded study in the rare blood disorder, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. She also serves as a site co-investigator for the NHLBI (National Heart Lung and Blood Institute)-sponsored SCD-CARRE study in sickle cell disease.
Thomas Johnson
Thomas Johnson is the Executive Director of ASAP 340B. A native of Washington, DC, he brings 30 years of professional experience in the health care, nonprofit and association management space.
Mr. Johnson served for nine years as President and CEO of Medicaid Health Plans of America (“MHPA”), a trade association representing health plans in the Medicaid business. In his role at MHPA, he led advocacy efforts involving the Affordable Care Act, as well as other policy issues affecting the Medicaid managed care industry. Mr. Johnson was President and CEO of the DC Hospital Association. Mr. Johnson also served as the Vice President of Compliance and External Affairs with DC Chartered Health Plan, a Medicaid health plan in Washington, DC, and as Senior Advisor to the Gorman Health Group, a consulting firm focused on assisting government-sponsored health plans. Mr. Johnson was also a staff Director with the Greater Washington Board of Trade, and legislative director with the Medical Society of the District of Columbia.
Mr. Johnson has also served on a number of boards and commissions. He is currently the Chair of the Board of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America. Other boards he has served on include the DC Prisoners Legal Services Project, the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, and the DC Association of Health Maintenance Organizations.
Mannone A. Butler
Mannone A. Butler is an accomplished executive and justice system professional blending over two decades of legal and policy experience with her passion for justice and equity. Ms. Butler serves as the Head of Programs and Partnerships for the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition (Coalition), established in 2020 by players, coaches, team governors and league executives to lead the NBA family’s social justice advocacy. She spearheads development and implementation of the Coalition’s policy agenda and stakeholder engagement efforts.
Prior to joining the Coalition, Ms. Butler led the District of Columbia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC), an independent justice agency comprised of federal and local justice agencies that address the District’s criminal and juvenile justice issues, and oversaw the jurisdiction’s integrated justice information sharing system (JUSTIS), and Statistical Analysis Center.
Ms. Butler, a native Washingtonian, earned her B.S. in Finance from Georgetown University and J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. She currently serves on Georgetown’s Board of Directors and was the inaugural chair of Georgetown’s Black Alumni Council.
Dotun Ogunyemi, MD
Dotun Ogunyemi, MD, currently serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. He is also the Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education; Designated Institutional Official (DIO) for College of Medicine at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
He was recently the DIO & Associate CMO at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, and former Senior Associate Dean of Faculty and Chief Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer at the California of University of Science and Medicine.
Previously he served in David Geffen School of Medicine for over 13 years, on the Medical Education Curriculum committee, as the Vice Chair of the Students Thesis program and the faculty Advisor for the Center of Educational Development and Research. In Cedars Sinai Medical Center, he served as the Vice-chair of education in the department of OBGYN and was responsible for CME and faculty development.
In Beaumont Health, Michigan; he served as Systems Vice Chair for OBGYN and facilitated the implementation of faculty development processes such as TeamSTEPPS and simulation training. He also started and was the program director of the ACGME Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellowship.
He has given faculty development and wellness programs workshops nationally such as at ACGME, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (CREOG APGO) and USC Innovations in medical Education. He is a certified Master TeamSTEPPS trainer and emotional intelligence coach who has published a book as well as many peer review publications on the topic. His research interests include medical education; disparities, equity, and population health; patient safety; wellness and leadership; and clinical medicine topics and has approximately 100 peer review publications in these areas of study.
Currently, he is on the editorial board of Journal of the Graduate Medical Education (JGME), and American Journal of Perinatology and a merit reviewer for PCORI. His current professional service include: ACOG Committee on Women’s Preventive Services Implementation; ACOG District IX Patient Safety Committee; AGME CLER voluntary site visitor, ACGME Medically Underserved Area/Populations committee; Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine Emerging Leaders Program Advisory Group; Executive committee of National Medical Association (NMA) OBGYN section; Chair, NMA Educational Council; APGO Diversity Task force; and member of the American Board of Medical Specialties Committee on Certification (COCERT). He is founder of the DOF Foundation that has the goal of supporting foster families, helping the homeless community, and increasing the number of underrepresented students who matriculate into medical school.
Dotun Ogunyemi is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Maternal Fetal Medicine. He obtained his MD degree from College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He completed a residency in OBGYN at King Drew Medical Center, Los Angeles, California and a fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine at David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA.
Gregory Jackson, Jr.
Greg Jackson, Executive Director of the Community Justice Action Fund, is a
community organizer, political strategist and issue advocate.
Prior to becoming the organization’s Executive Director, Greg served as the
National Advocacy Director for 2 years. In this role he worked with
communities, elected officials, community leaders and impacted residents to
advocate for proactive and preventive solutions to end gun violence. Greg led
the effort to build political power through electoral participation, spearheading
the 2020 Elect Justice Campaign that mobilized over a 1,000 volunteers and
connected with over 1.6 million voters across the country.
As a gun violence survivor, gun violence prevention is personal for Greg.
While being questioned by law enforcement in his hospital bed, Greg
remembers being treated like a criminal and not like a victim. This experience
and his recovery propelled Greg into action, becoming a vocal and leading
voice on gun violence prevention for Black and brown communities.
Following his recovery, Greg became an avid mentor to local at risk youth and
built multiple youth engagement movements like #WeReadDC that
empowered hundreds of volunteers to support Washington, DC area youth
through monthly reading events.
As the youngest member of Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser’s
administration, Greg served as Director of the Mayor’s Office of Community
Relations and Services. Greg then went on to lead Community Engagement
and Communications for the Washington, D.C.’s Office of Neighborhood
Safety & Engagement (ONSE). At ONSE, Greg oversaw community events,
outreach activities, policy development, violence reducing programs and direct
engagement of residents most at risk to gun violence.
Before dedicating his life to gun violence prevention, Greg worked as a
community organizer through various roles, including the Co-Chair of DC for
Obama, the Obama for America, North Carolina – Field Director, the Southern
Regional Director at Organizing for Action and the National Field Director,
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, where he ran the largest
midterm election voter registration program in U.S. History.
Greg, an avid runner that has completed 5 half marathons, enjoys recreational
sports and created a citywide organization offering recreational sports
activities for thousands of young adults throughout the D.C. area
Senator James Sanders, Jr. – NY
Currently in his 6th term, New York State Senator James Sanders Jr. was elected by the people of the 10th senatorial district to the New York State Senate on September 13, 2012. A fiercely devoted public servant, community advocate, Marine Veteran, and family man, Sanders’ life is defined by his work to uplift others. The actions he has taken over the course of his career emphasizes the importance of promoting education, innovation, working-class families, and economic development throughout New York.
Senator Sanders currently represents the neighborhoods of Breezy Point, Jacob Riis Park, Roxbury, Neponsit, Belle Harbor, Rockaway Park, Rockaway Beach, Broad Channel, Howard Beach, Arverne, Far Rockaway, Wave Crest, Edgemere, Bays Water, Rosedale, South Ozone Park, Jamaica, Springfield Gardens, and Rochdale.
In addition to being the Chairman of the Senate’s Committee on Banks, Senator Sanders is a member of the Committees for Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business; Insurance, Labor, Procurement and Contracts; Racing, Gaming and Wagering; and Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs.
Sponsoring monumental legislation and protecting New Yorkers has been at the forefront of Sanders’ endeavors towards a more equitable and just world. An example of this is displayed through the 2022 NY Foreclosure Abuse Prevention Act (FAPA) which works to safeguard homeowners from abusive or unlawful litigation tactics concerning foreclosures. The act holds banks accountable and ensures that homeowners are guaranteed a level playing field that protects them from abuse and manipulation at the hands of lenders. Another such example is highlighted through Carlos’ Law (2022) which increases the penalties for criminal corporate liability for the death or injury of an employee up to $500,000. This ensures that corporations adhere to proper safety protocols, and has the power to save lives across the state that otherwise would have been lost due to corporations neglecting their responsibility to protect their employees from harm.
Above all else, Senator Sanders places his constituents at #1 on his list of priorities. Through each community-based event, constituent services offered at each office, Listening Tours, Mobile Office opportunities, and social media engagement, Sanders is devoted to fulfilling the needs of District 10. Southeast Queens is truly defined by the unique lived experiences of each individual resident and Senator Sanders is profoundly committed to this fact.
Senator James Sanders Jr. acknowledges that the journey forward is never easy, but he is willing to take the difficult path if it means that his constituents in Southeast Queens will be afforded the protections and access to resources that they deserve.
Careen-Joan Franklin, PharmD
Dr. Careen-Joan Franklin is the Director of Clinical Operations and Administrator of Royale Care VA Home Health Services. Dr. Franklin is also an independent Clinical Consultant Pharmacist in DC, Maryland and Virginia and a Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP) certified consultant who works with long term care and community-based organizations seeking to streamline their medication-use processes, improve outcomes for patient’s psycho pharmacotherapy, and maintain regulatory compliance. Prior to this, she was a Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of Community Pharmacy Residency Programs at Howard University College of Pharmacy (HUCOP). Dr. Franklin also worked as a Clinical Pharmacist at the Howard University Hospital Outpatient Mental Health Center where she provided pharmacotherapy services to individuals with psychiatric disease states including smoking cessation services for people with tobacco use disorder and medication therapy management for opioid use disorder (OUD) . She was the Director of the HUCOP Opioid Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution program in partnership with DC Health, has served as a coordinator for the Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Education Programs in Maryland, is a member of the DC Health Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Advisory Committee and continues to work to increase community access to naloxone and medications for opioid use disorder through
pharmacist-led collaborative efforts. Dr. Franklin served as a chair of several committees for the Maryland Pharmacists Association, was a Maryland delegate for the American Pharmacists Association House of Delegates, is the co-chair for the National Pharmaceutical Association Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Committee and serves on committees in several other national pharmacy organizations. Dr. Franklin has been awarded grants to implement projects that increase patient’s access to care and continues to work closely with DC Health to improve patient access to care within community pharmacies.
Martha Flowers, MD
Martha Flowers, M.D. is a native of Pine Bluff, Arkansas who graduated from Howard University. She received her medical degree from Meharry Medical College in 1974. After an internship at Martin Luther King Hospital in Los Angeles, California she was employed at Lee County Cooperative Clinic in Marianna, Arkansas where she served as medical director. She joined her father, Dr. Cleon Flowers, Sr. in 1977 in Pine Bluff. The highlight of her career was practicing with him for the last 25 years of his 59 years in practice. Dr. Flowers was the first Black female granted admission privileges at Jefferson Regional Medical Center where she became the first African American woman Chair of the Family Medicine Department.
Dr. Flowers is active in several organizations such as the Arkansas Medical, Dental, & Pharmaceutical Association, where she previously served as president and executive secretary; the Arkansas Medical Society; the Jefferson County Medical Society, where she previously served as president. Along with the late Dr. Robert Smith, she co-founded the Southeast Arkansas Medical Network in 1979. She has also served as Region V Chairperson of the National Medical Association and on the Board of Trustees. She is the current chair of the Medical Council of Legislation for the National Medical Association.
Dr. Flowers has mentored over 100 high school, undergraduate, and medical students, as well as physician residents. Her office has always been a place where students could come to learn about the practice and business of medicine. Serving on the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine Admissions Committee and as an applicant reviewer further fueled her passion for mentoring students and physician residents. She has been honored by Meharry Medical College and The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff for her service.
A strong proponent of patient education, Dr. Flowers believes in the “know better, do better” philosophy. She has conducted diabetes classes and cooking demonstrations for years in her office. Her greatest fulfilment has come from seeing the transformation of the mindset of her patients from refusing physical exams, tests, and various treatments to now asking for them. She is the proud mother of one daughter, Elizabeth Taylor.
Established in 1895, the National Medical Association (NMA) is the largest and oldest national organization in the United States representing the interests of African-American physicians and the patients they serve. The NMA serves as the leading voice force for parity and justice in medicine and the elimination of disparities in health.
