Thank you for joining the National Center for Primary Care’s Health Equity Summit!

The event has concluded, but you can view session recordings below. 
For more information, contact Mitchell Blount, MPH at mblount@msm.edu

May 11

  • 10:00 am - Opening Keynote

    Description
    Morehouse School of Medicine President and CEO, Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice and National Center for Primary Care Director, Dr. Dominic Mack kicked off the event, followed by an opening keynote speech by Dr. George Rust that set the stage for the two-day summit experience.

    Speakers

    • Megan Douglas, JD
    • Dominic Mack, MD, MBA
    • Valerie Montgomery Rice, MD, FACOG
    • George Rust, MD, MPH

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  • 11:00 am - Fireside Chat

    Description
    This conversation bridged the past, present, and future of primary care and health equity through the perspectives of former and current National Center for Primary Care leaders. Moderated by a current Morehouse School of Medicine Family Medicine resident, the discussion provided the audience with important historical context and describe evolving needs to inform primary care transformation that is centered on health equity.

    Speakers

    • David Satcher, MD, PhD
    • Dominic Mack, MD, MBA
    • George Rust, MD, MPH
    • Chelsea Cohen, MD (Moderator)

    Resources

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  • 11:45 am - Summit Visioning/Expectations

    Description
    This brief event preview guided participants through the summit’s general session, concurrent breakout sessions, and workshops. Participants were provided with important context and expectations that prepared them for the summit’s final call-to-action.

    Speakers

    • Mitchell Blount, MPH
    • Phoebe Nelms

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  • 12:30 pm - Brief Report Release: Primary Care - A Key Lever to Advance Health Equity

    Description
    The Primary Care Collaborative and the National Center for Primary Care are excited to announce the release of “Primary Care: A Key Lever to Advance Health Equity.” This brief report examines the relationship between health equity and primary care, and identifies concrete practice- and policy-level actions that primary care stakeholders can pursue to eliminate inequities.

    Speakers

    • Ann Greiner, MCP
    • Dominic Mack, MD, MBA

    Resources

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  • 1:00 pm - Panel: Primary Care, Innovation & Equity

    Description
    This discussion highlighted promising practices and policies that will strengthen the role of primary care in the movement to advance health equity. The panelists bring a wealth of clinical, public health, and policy expertise that drove the discussion and focus on current opportunities and challenges for primary care.

    Speakers

    • Ben Money, MPH
    • Judith Steinberg, MD, MPH
    • Kameron Matthews, MD, JD, FAAFP
    • Megan Douglas, JD (Moderator)

    Resources

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  • 1:45 pm - NCPC Division Highlight

    Description
    This session provided an overview of the National Center for Primary Care’s Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Division.

    Speakers

    • Dawn Tyus, PhD, LPC, MAC, NCC

    Resources

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  • 2:00 pm - Concurrent Breakout Sessions #1

    Faces of Primary Care – The Intersection of Primary Care, Innovation, and Culture
    Attendees joined us for an insightful panel discussion with three organizations working in the BIPOC communities. They  examined the unique and destructive impact public health crises such as COVID -19 have on these communities. The panel took a look at how using innovation strategies borne out of the cultural strengths of the communities can provide real solutions.

    Speakers: Silas Buchanan, Sheri Daniels, Nora Hernandez, Dominic Mack (Moderator)

    Resources

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    Supporting Patients After Their Visit Promotes Equitable Outcomes!
    Do you want to help patients and providers address barriers to equitable outcomes through post-visit resources? Learn about innovative solutions with proven beneficial outcomes and increased satisfaction. In this interactive session, attendees heard about actual use cases from industry experts, previewed a technology platform, and engaged in discussion with NCPC’s Health IT Division, Premedex, and Synsormed.

    Speakers: Amin Holmes, Carmen Hughes, Van Willis

    Resources

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    Transformation of Primary Care for Underserved Communities: An Introduction to Cityblock Health
    The healthcare ecosystem is broken. For generations, marginalized communities have borne the brunt of a confluence of structural and systemic factors that result in unjust, inequitable and unsustainable health outcomes. For those juggling multiple competing priorities, whose time is their most valuable asset, and whose energy is spent overcoming the burden of poverty, dealing with transportation and other logistical gaps, our traditional healthcare delivery models simply don’t cut it. During this talk, Dr. Kameron Matthews, Chief Health Officer of Cityblock Health, provided an overview of Cityblock and how the company is radically transforming primary care for underserved communities across America.

    Speakers: Kameron Lee Matthews, MD, JD

    Resources

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    Don’t Forget About Us! – Advancing Health Equity for People with Disabilities in Georgia during the COVID-19 Pandemic
    The COVID-19 pandemic triggered explosive growth in telehealth, compelling many physicians, practices, and health care consumers to use telehealth for the first time. However, it is unknown whether and to what extent telehealth people with disabilities in Georgia accessed and used telemedicine. This session shared findings from our recent study, Assessing Use of Telehealth by People with Disabilities in Georgia, followed by a moderated discussion featuring a panel of study participants and leaders/advocates in the disability community.

    Speakers: Jessica Baker, Mitchell Blount, Michael Bray, Rasheera Dopson

    Resources

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  • 3:00 pm - Concurrent Breakout Sessions #2

    Leading Change on the Frontline: Examining the Impact of Community Health Workers (CHWs) in Primary Care and During Public Health Crises
    This moderated discussion focused on the critical work of CHWs in communities and the value and impact of CHWs in preventing chronic disease and managing individual and community health. Panelists shared successful examples of community programs and strategies and we heared directly from CHWs about their work and how their role has evolved during the COVD-19 pandemic. Panelists shared their thoughts on system level changes and resources that could assist in expanding the impact of the CHWs in primary care.

    Speakers: Arletha Lizana, George Fishburne, Yasmine Atamna, Laquita Benton, Amina Isom

    Resources

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    Beyond Biopsychosocial: Driving Health Equity with Culturopolitically Informed Whole Person Addictions Care
    What does it truly mean to provide whole person care? In this session, we explored the concept of racism as trauma and its effects on mental and physical health. We  redefined what it means to provide whole-person care, and examined the necessity for incorporating harm reduction in treatment settings. Finally, Dr. Harrison presented practical strategies and lessons learned during the syndemic for designing and delivering innovative, value-based care addictions treatment.

    Speakers: Nzinga Harrison, MD

    Resources

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    Accelerating the Journey to Health Equity Through Leadership Training
    This presentation  highlighted several of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute (SHLI) at Morehouse School of Medicine’s leadership training programs and how these programs are essential to the advancement of health equity. Since 2009, SHLI has been training leaders to address and promote policies and practices to achieve health equity and ultimately eliminate disparities in health. The SHLI programs provide training for elected and municipal officials, community leaders and advocates, academic and healthcare professionals, public health students and professionals, and post-doctoral professionals. Graduates have taken on leadership roles across the country in academic, health care, governmental, and community-based organizations, agencies, and institutions.

    Speakers: Allyson S. Belton, MPH, Jareese K. Stroud, MPH

    Resources

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    Advocating for Behavioral Health Parity in Georgia
    The pandemic has created an urgent need for improved access to behavioral health care, and it has opened a rare window of opportunity for transformative policy change. In Georgia, state legislators called 2022 “The Year for Mental Health” and passed the Mental Health Parity Act to help address the need. This session featured a real world case study about advocates advancing parity in insurance coverage for behavioral health care in Georgia, and the links between parity, equity and stigma reduction. Presenters solicited participants’ previous advocacy experiences to inform the interactive discussion. Attendees  left this session understanding effective advocacy strategies for influencing policy decisions and with tangible tips for taking action and disseminating what they have learned to their own networks.

    Speakers: Madhuri Jha, David Lloyd, Helen Robinson, DeJuan White

    Resources

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  • 3:45 pm - Closing Keynote & Remarks

    Description
    Dr. Dayna Bowen Matthew, a nationally recognized lawyer, legal scholar, author, and health equity champion, closed out the first day of the summit with a visionary and inspiring closing keynote speech.

    Speakers

    • Dayna Bowen Matthew, JD, PhD

    Resources

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May 12

  • 10:00 am - Opening Remarks

    Description
    Morehouse School of Medicine Dean and Executive Vice President, Dr. Adrian Tyndall welcomed participants to day two of the summit.

    Speakers

    • Adrian Tyndall, MD, MPH, FACEP

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  • 10:15 am - NCPC Program Highlight

    Description
    This session provided an overview of the National Center for Primary Care’s Global Health Initiatives.

    Speakers

    • Bella Siangonya

    Resources

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  • 10:30 am - Faculty Development Graduation

    Description
    The NCPC Faculty Development Program has been training primary care clinicians and academic researchers for more than twenty years. This session summarized the importance of this program and how its graduates have continued to lead health equity efforts through their research, teaching, and clinical practice.

    Speakers

    • Shanae Lee
    • George Rust, MD, MPH
    • Shelia McClure, PhD

    Resources

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  • 11:00 am - Panel: Advancing Equity through Leadership

    Description
    Panelists include leaders representing organizations across the biological sciences, health care, and health innovation sectors, who shared concrete actions their organizations have taken to advance health equity. The audience heard about prioritizing, integrating, and sustaining health equity through leadership.

    Speakers

    • U. Michael Currie, MPH, MBA
    • Todd Ellis, DHA
    • Tanisha M. Sullivan, ESQ.
    • Shanell McGoy, PhD (Moderator)

    Resources

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  • 11:45 am - NCPC Program Highlight

    Description
    This session provided an overview of the National Center for Primary Care’s Southeast Regional Clinicians Network (SERCN).

    Speakers

    • Anne H. Gaglioti, MD, MS, FAAFP

    Resources

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  • 12:45 pm - NCPC Division Highlight

    This session provided an overview of the National Center for Primary Care’s Research & Policy Divisions

    Speakers

    • Megan Douglas, JD

    Resources

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  • 1:00 pm - Health Equity in Action: A Community Dialogue

    Description
    Advancing health equity requires strong leadership and community engagement. This community dialog highlighted approaches taken by the City of East Point, Georgia to improve equity in the community.

    Speakers

    • City of East Point Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham
    • Monica L. Ponder, PhD (Moderator)

    Resources

     

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  • 1:30 pm - NCPC Division Highlight

    Description
    This session provided an overview of the National Center for Primary Care’s Health Information Technology Division.

    Speakers

    • Carmen Hughes, MBA

    Resources

     

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  • 2:00 pm - Workshops

    Mitigating Health Disparities During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Into the Future: The Pennsylvania Inclusive Health Equity Collaborative
    People with disabilities, including mental health, and older adults, faced various barriers to high quality and accessible health services and information; social connectedness, community inclusion and participation; and technology, digital literacy and connectivity prior to COVID-19. Structural and systemic barriers were exacerbated during the pandemic leading to the inequitable impact of COVID-19 on the health of these populations. The Pennsylvania Inclusive Health Equity Collaborative (IHEC) was formed in direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic in an effort mitigate health disparities and promote the wellbeing of people with disabilities, including those with mental health concerns and aging populations, across the Commonwealth. The goal of this interactive workshop was to share information with session attendees on the development of an inclusive health equity collaborative developed in response to COVID-19, while seeking feedback on charting a course when the road and endpoint are ever-changing.

    Speakers: Katey Burke, Amber Davidson, Lisa Ferretti, Taye Hallock, Phillip McCallion

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    Leveraging federal funds to promote cross-sector collaboration in service of health care, health, and health equity
    Trillions of dollars in federal funds are flowing to states and communities across the country through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). Designed to bolster public health capacity, stimulate economic recovery, and reduce inequities, these funds offer an unprecedented opportunity to invest in transformative change. Yet, many states and communities may not have the capacity to develop strategic, cross-sector plans or process and distribute the large amounts of money headed their way. Participants in this session learned insights on the scale, scope, and distribution of this federal funding and explore how health care related organizations are seeking to inform, influence, and facilitate forward-thinking investment decisions. This workshop also provided participants an opportunity to wrestle with, and apply these insights as part of facilitated peer discussions on the types of questions that must be answered as part of making decisions about leveraging these federal funds.

    Speakers: Japera Hemming, Maggie Leonard, Bill Rencher

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    Audience First: A Path to Creating Culturally Competent Health Materials
    Having authentic health messages that resonate helps diverse communities feel seen and opened to receiving your information. Join the ICF Next Multicultural Communications Practice, for a workshop on creating culturally and linguistically appropriate health materials. Learn key processes, best practices, and questions you should ask when creating materials for multicultural audiences.

    Speakers: Imani Cabassa, Cassandra Oshinnaiye

    Resources

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    Addressing Early Education, Childcare, and Poverty to Advance Health Equity for African American Children and Families
    The National African American Child and Family Research Center leads and supports research on the needs and assets of African American children and families served by the Administration for Children and Families and promising approaches to promote social and economic well-being among low-income African American populations. This work will further the mission of the Morehouse School of Medicine and lead in the creation and advancement of health equity for African American children and families. The Center’s work broadly focuses on early childhood education, poverty alleviation, and childcare assistance programs. This session  described how the center uses community-based participatory research, capacity-building, and communication tools to inform programs and policies that impact African American children and families.

    Speakers: Latrice Rollins, Brian McGregor, Tandeca King Gordon

    Resources

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  • 3:45 pm - Closing Keynote & Remarks

    Description
    Dr. Brian D. Smedley has committed his personal and professional lives to achieving health equity. This closing keynote speech compeled summit participants to take action within their sphere of incluence to advance health equity.

    Speakers

    • Brian D. Smedley, PhD

    Resources

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Event Description 

The co-occurring crises of the COVID-19 pandemic and racism – both structural and interpersonal – have galvanized our nation’s interest in addressing longstanding health inequities. Nationwide protests for racial justice and an end to police violence, the loss of nearly a million US lives due to COVID-19 (more than 6 million deaths globally), growing outrage and advocacy to support those with chronic illness and disability, and the unpredictable effects of ongoing and collective fatigue, grief and trauma have placed our nation at a critical juncture in its reckoning with social injustices and health inequities. This confluence of recent events has positioned health equity and social justice as a key priority across sectors, disciplines, and communities. These events have affected the provision of primary care, health policy and the public’s trust in the nation’s public health and health care systems. From patient well-being to collective health, our approaches to how we do the work to achieve health equity has urgently shifted to accommodate increasing population need during COVID-19. More than 30 years after the federal government formally recognized health inequities in the landmark Heckler Report, unified momentum for meaningful change is at an unprecedented level.  

This event was provided by leaders from the National Center for Primary Care for a 2-day virtual summit, which emphasized the national imperative to achieve health equity, discussed strategies for leveraging the current “window of opportunity,” and amplified the roles of primary care, innovation, and leadership in this effort. The summit concluded with a call to action for individuals and organizations to implement the strategies needed to ultimately achieve health equity.

Event Objectives 

  • Assess the role of primary care, innovation, and leadership in the historical and ongoing efforts to advance health equity
  • Discuss concrete strategies and specific examples of initiatives that advance health equity across sectors, disciplines, and communities  
  • Recognize leaders and organizations who have demonstrated leadership and pushed their organizations to achieve health equity
  • Lay the foundation for a collective roadmap to health equity through leadership, innovation and primary care

About the National Center for Primary Care 

The National Center for Primary Care (NCPC) at Morehouse School of Medicine has a long history of leading efforts to advance health equity. In 1997, under the leadership of Dr. Louis Sullivan, former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and President Emeritus of Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), the NCPC became the first congressionally sanctioned center to develop programs that strengthened the primary care system with a focus on health equity and sustainability. Over the last 24 years, the NCPC has produced internationally recognized research and training programs, supported the development of a strong, diverse, and inclusive primary care workforce, and has leveraged its work to inform policies that advance health equity.

Featured Speakers

  • Dr. Todd Ellis, Principal, Health and Government Solutions, KPMG US
  • Ann Greiner, President & Executive Director, Primary Care Collaborative
  • Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham, 34th mayor of East Point, Georgia
  • Dr. Dominic Mack, Director, National Center for Primary Care at Morehouse School of Medicine
  • Dr. Dayna Bowen Matthew, Dean and Harold H. Greene Professor of Law, George Washington University Law School
  • Dr. Kameron Lee Matthews, Chief Health Officer, Cityblock Health
  • Benjamin Money, Senior Vice President for Public Health Priorities, National Association of Community Health Centers
  • Dr. George Rust, Director, Center for Medicine and Public Health, Florida State University, and former Director, National Center for Primary Care at Morehouse School of Medicine
  • Dr. David Satcher, 16th U.S. Surgeon General and former Director, National Center for Primary Care at Morehouse School of Medicine
  • Dr. Brian Smedley, Equity Scholar, Senior Fellow, Urban Institute
  • Dr. Judith Steinberg, Senior Advisor, Immediate Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, US Department of Health and Human Services
  • Tanisha M. Sullivan, Esq., Sanofi Fellow, CEO Action for Racial Equity & President, NAACP Boston