National Women’s Wellbeing Through Equity and Leadership (WEL) Alliance
NMA Cohort 2023-2025
The Women’s Wellness through Equity and Leadership (WEL) Alliance is a national collaborative effort between 10 leading US medical associations. WEL recruits a cohort of early- to mid-career women physicians from each association who will engage in networking, mentorship, and training around leadership, equity, and wellness. Funded by The Physicians Foundation, WEL aims to foster meaningful, long-term change for women physicians at the individual and organizational levels, and to develop the next wave of women physician leaders to build a healthier, more equitable work experience and environment.
NMA Scholars
Uchenna E. Anani, MD, FAAP
Location: Nashville, TN
Specialty: Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine/Pediatrics
Institution: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
NMA Region: III
I am privileged to have been selected as one of the NMA representatives for the Women’s Wellness through Equity and Leadership Program. As an early-to-mid career black woman physician as well as a busy wife and mother, I am passionate about advocating for medical careers that prioritize wellness and equity in every fabric of our lives – both professional and personal. Ultimately, I aim to give back to my institution and affiliate organizations such as the National Medical Association (NMA) and Neonatal Justice Collaborative (NJC) through the development of mentorship programs and forums with the mission to revitalize cultures of equity, belonging, and wellness.
Ashanda Saint Jean MD, FACOG
Location: Kingston, NY
Specialty: OB/GYN
Organization: Health Alliance Hospital/ Westchester Medical Center Health Network
NMA Region: I
I am truly grateful for this opportunity and proud to represent NMA in the WEL Alliance. My selection has provided insight into the essential tools needed for professional growth, fulfillment, and balance. I have cultivated my indelible mark, to be a birth champion that uplifts families to experience joy along the maternal journey, especially during the present landscape of increased maternal mortality that disproportionately impacts Black women and birthing people. I am eager to share newfound skills with fellow NMA members to foster purpose, presence, agency and above all improve our service to our patients.
Nancy Joseph, DO
Location: Massachusetts
Specialty: Pediatrics and Allergy/Immunology
Company: Independent consultant
NMA Region: I
Message: WEL interested me because I have never been part of a program that specifically focused on wellness. Like a lot of physicians, wellness has taken a back seat in my life for a long time. Being part of a program that not only helps further my career goals, but promotes my overall wellness would be very helpful, and an overall asset to my life. I plan on using new skills and an expanded network to increase awareness and extend the reach of the National Medical Association. With the recent attacks on DEI, it is evident more than ever that we need all hands on deck in this fight for equity and diversifying the face of medicine.
NMA Partner Learning Lab Liaison
Erica Sutton, MD, FACS
Location: Atlanta, GA
Specialty: General Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery
Institution: Morehouse School of Medicine
NMA Region: III
As the NMA Liaison for the WEL Partner Learning Lab, Dr. Sutton will collaborate with senior leaders across the WEL Alliance to develop mechanisms to achieve organizational change that will create more equitable environments for women physicians. They will work to develop metrics to measure progress and identify goals to drive meaningful advancement of women in medicine. She brings expertise as the inaugural Associate Dean of Academic Programs and Affiliation and in advocating for women in leadership roles. She is most proud of having successfully mentored five women in decanal roles in the last three years.
NMA Steering Committee Representative
Priscilla Mpasi, MD, FAAP
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Specialty: Pediatrics
Institution: ChristianaCare Health System
NMA Region: II
As the NMA Representative on the WEL Steering Committee, Dr. Mpasi joins the representative members from each of the ten national healthcare organizations and Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine to provide strategic vision and direct program initiatives. Appointed in 2020 by NMA 121st President Dr. Leon McDougle, she contributes to curriculum development, faculty recruitment, mentor engagement, and program evaluation. She leads the NMA Scholars cohort recruitment with CCWP collaboration, provides cohort and program updates to NMA leadership, and serves as a WEL faculty presenter and mentor.
NMA WEL Representative/Credentials: Priscilla Michelle Mpasi, M.D., FAAP
Current Location: Philadelphia, PA
Specialty: Pediatrics
Institution/Company: ChristianaCare Health System
NMA Region: II