The COVID-19 Pandemic has changed the course of history! During the past year, the gaps in healthcare disparities have only continued to widen as COVID-19 continues to affect Black, Latinx, and Indigenous communities at a disproportionate rate compared to their white counterparts(CDC). It is increasingly evident that communities of color are more vulnerable to barriers in access to healthcare and education.
Given how the medical community has historically mistreated black people and people of color, it is no surprise that there is so much apprehension when it comes to the COVID-19 Vaccine. There is a lot of misinformation available online and through messaging apps like WhatsApp, and we feel that it is our responsibility to provide resources and education!
We’ve put together this panel of experts. We have two high-level scientists and two physicians of color who managed patients afflicted by COVID-19 acutely and in the ICU. They are ready and willing to answer your questions. We hope this event can help you! Please share with your friends and family!
Our Mission:
Our mission is to increase representation in healthcare careers by innovatively improving access to information and resources. However, issues affecting our communities are of great importance to us!
Panelists:
- Taku Mkorombindo, M.D.: Dr. Mkorombindo is a Pulmonology and Critical Care Fellow at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. He manages ICUs filled with the sickest patients, all of which are functioning at 100% capacity.
- Medell K. Briggs-Malonson M.D., M.P.H., M.S.H.S. : Dr. Brigg-Malonson is an Associate Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She is also the Interim Chief of Health Equity and DIversity and Inclusion at UCLA Hospital System, and the Director of Quality at UCLA Department of Emergency Medicine. She is at the frontline in the ERs dealing with the brunt of the pandemic daily.
- Omai Garner, Ph.D., D(ABMM) : Dr. Garner is an Associate Clinical Professor and Director of Clinical Microbiology at UCLA Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.
- Vickie M. Mays, Ph.D., M.S.P.H. : Dr. Mays is a Distinguish Professor of Psychology in the UCLA College of Letters and Science. She is also a Distinguished Professor of Health Policy & Management at the Fielding School of Public Health. She also serves as the Director of the UCLA BRITE Center for Science, Research, and Policy and is the Special Advisor to the Chancellow on Black LIfe.