Announcements
Dr. Ronny Bell Receives Award
Dr. Ronny Bell, Co-Director of the Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity, received the Community Spirit Award from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) on October 22nd, 2012 at a ceremony in Washington, DC. The award was given in recognition of his work in understanding and addressing diabetes disparities with the American Indian/Alaska Native population. Dr. Bell was also a featured speaker and panelist at the ADA 5th Disparities Partnership Forum, which was held in conjunction with the ceremony. Others receiving recognition at the ceremony included: Dr. Pedro Greer, Jr.(first from left), Assistant Dean, Florida International University; Mr. David Mann (second from left), noted actor and comedian; Mr. Ben Vereen, (third from right) world-renowned actor, singer and dancer; and Dr. Kenneth Moritsugu (second from right), Vice President for Global Strategic Affairs for Johnson and Johnson's Family of Diabetes Companies and Acting Surgeon General from 2006 - 2008
Dr. Latham-Sadler Named Associate Dean for Student Inclusion and Diversity
Dr. Brenda Latham-Sadler has been named Associate Dean for Student Inclusion and Diversity. In this role she will be responsible for a large number of activities to promote the School of Medicine's goal of providing a nurturing, positive and safe place of learning and growth for all students with focus on the institutional value of diversity: "honoring individuality and protecting the dignity of all."
Diversity is a central component of the Medical Center's mission and serves as a driver of institutional excellence. With diversity, the talents and abilities of all foster innovation, encourage academic excellence, and empower the Medical Center to achieve its mission. (more)
New Faculty Affiliates Named
The Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity has granted 4 new affiliates.
 | Associate Professor in Epidemiology and Prevention, with specialties in obesity treatment, medical weight loss, behavioral weight loss, diabetes prevention, and heart disease prevention, nutrition therapy for elevated blood pressure, cholesterol or blood sugar. |
| Jamy Ard. MD | |
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 | Assistant Professor of Neurology, focusing on stroke awareness among African Americans so, his interests closely align with the Center mission of addressing health disparities.
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| Martinson Kweku Arnan, M.D. | |
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Elsayed Z. Soliman, MD, MSc, MS, FAHA, FACC | Director, Epidemiological Cardiology Research Center (EPICARE) and Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Internal Medicine Cardiology. Dr. Soliman is internationally recognized for his efforts in leading two WHO studies in Malawi and serving as an advisor to the WHO in the development and conduct of a research project examining the utility of the polypill approach to cardiovascular disease prevention in Sri Lanka. |
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Assistant Professor in the Hypertension & Vascular Research Center. Dr. Gwathmey's research interests in racial and gender disparities in hypertension and renal disease, as well as fetal programming of adult diseases are in close alignment with the mission of the Maya Angelou Center to conduct translational research in order to impact health of an increasingly diverse population.
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| TanYa M. Gwathmey-Williams, MS, PhD | |
Fall 2012 Cancer Prevention and Control Program PUSH Pilot
Request for Applications
The Cancer Prevention and Control Program is soliciting applications for a "PUSH" pilot project. The pilot award will be used to fund research that is likely to lead to extramural funding. The proposed research should fall within one of our 4 program themes: 1) genetic susceptibility, 2) the role of natural products and cancer, 3) tobacco and occupational pesticide exposures, or 4) cancer survivorship. Although all topics will be considered, projects that address cancer health disparities will be given priority. Please be sure to include in the application a discussion of how your proposed pilot will lead to future funding.
Budget:
- The award will be issued for up to $40,000 for one year. No Cost Extensions will not be considered, so request only that which you need to complete the project in 12 months.
Key Dates:
National Medical Association Annual Convention & Scientific Assembly
July 27 - 31, 2013
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Health professionals interested in presenting during the NMA Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly are invited to submit abstracts. All presenters at the 2013 Scientific Assembly are now required to submit an abstract. The deadline for all abstract submissions is Thursday, November 2012. Abstracts are reviewed by the program committees on a rolling basis. Accordingly, abstract submission prior to the November 15, 2012 deadline is strongly encouraged. (click here for abstract submission and instructions).
State and National Partners Honor American Indian & Other Minority Students in New Program Addressing Health Disparities
The North Carolina American Indian Health Board (NCAIHB), in partnership with the Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity (MACHE) at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and Health Career Connection (HCC) of Oakland, CA, celebrates the graduation of the first class of North Carolina interns today at the Michael Hooker Research Center in Chapel Hill, NC. The meeting celebrated the accomplishments of the graduates and brought together speakers, health leaders, host organizations, and alumni of the program.
American Indians in North Carolina have documented health disparities across a number of health conditions and limited access to culturally competent health care services. "One approach to addressing this problem is increasing the number of trained American Indian health care professionals in the state" said Dr. Ronny Bell, Co-Director of MACHE and Vice Chair of NCAIHB. HCC is a national nonprofit organization based in Oakland, CA that inspires and empowers both college students, as well as HCC alumni, focusing on those who come from under-represented or disadvantage backgrounds, to pursue careers in healthcare and public health. After a 25-year history of this national program, the program has reached North Carolina this year thanks to the collaborative efforts of these three state and national partners that begin in 2011. (read press release).
Dr. Ronny A. Bell Selected to Chair the North Carolina Diabetes Advisory Council
Dr. Ronny A. Bell, Co-Director of the Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity, has been selected to Chair the North Carolina Diabetes Advisory Council. The Diabetes Advisory Council (DAC) was created in 1988 as an advisory group to the Diabetes Prevention and Control program. The council works to reduce the burden of diabetes through coordination among the many stakeholders in diabetes control in North Carolina. (read more about Dr. Bell's responsibilities here).
Maya Angelou Center Welcomes New Affiliates
The Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity is pleased to announce two new affiliates, Dr. Joseph Yeboah and Dr. Mandisa-Maria Jones-Haywood. Dr. Yeboah is Assistant Professor in Cardiology and Dr. Jones-Haywood is Assistant Professor, Anesthesiology-Cardiothoracic Anesthesia.
High School Students Visit Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
On Tuesday, July 19th, high school students from western North Carolina, including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians reservation, visited the Maya Angelou Center to learn more about health careers. The students were part of the MedCat program, designed to encourage high school youth from disadvantaged communities to pursue professions in the health fields. A total of 20 students participated in this annual event. The Maya Angelou Center will be taking the lead on MedCat beginning in August 2011 with funds from the Burroughs Wellcome Foundation.
Dr. Ronny Bell discusses National Health Disparities Month on WXII 12 news
Watch Video
TNASWEB News CDC Health Disparities and Inequalities Report
Triangle Native American Society is a 501c(3) organization and is supported completely by contributions.
Leandris Liburd, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.A. Appointed Director of the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (OMHHE), effective January 21, 2011.
Dr. Leandris is a respected leader with many years of experience addressing community health, health dispariaites, and social determinants of health. She held a variety of leadership positions at CDC since joining the agency in 1998.
Dr. Maya Angelou Named as Medal of Freedom Recipient - Writer Maya Angelou was among 15 announced recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country's highest civilian honor. It singles out those who have made contributions to the security or national interests of the U.S., to world peace or other significant endeavors.
NIH Announces Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
The National Institutes of Health announces the transition of the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD) to the National Institute on Minority Heath and Health Disparities (NIMHD). The transition gives the institute a more defined role in the NIH's research agenda against health disparities, which it defines as differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden of diseases and other adverse health conditions that exist among specific population groups (read announcement)
Funds Available for Minority Faculty in Department of Medicine for Academic Training Program
The Department of Medicine Minority Recruitment Task Force (MRTF) and the Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity are pleased to announce the availability of funds for minority faculty in the WFSM Department of Medicine to attend the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) Minority Faculty Development Seminar. Read objectives of the annual seminar.
Pathfinder Awards to Promote Diversity in the Scientific Workforce
The NIH database now contains information on the six awards under the RFA: The NIH Director's ARRA Funded Pathfinder Award to Promote Diversity in the Scientific Workforce. Read available information on the six awards.
Latino Medical Student Association Approved at Wake Forest School of Medicine
Dr. Jorge Calles Jennifer Gastelum Pedro Cardama
A Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) chapter initiated by Jennifer Gastelum (MS 2013) and Pedro Cardama (MS 2014) has been approved at Wake Forest School of Medicine. LMSA has several goals which include expanding exposure to all medical students regarding Latino health issues, providing a voice for underrepresented students in medicine, establishing a course in medical Spanish, and providing mentorship and networking with Latino health professionals. Dr. Jorge Calles will serve as the faculty advisor for LMSA.
New North Carolina American Indian Health Board Receives Grant
The North Carolina American Indian Health Board has received a $15,000 grant from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) Foundation. The grant will ultimately be used to improve the health outcomes of American Indians in the state. (read entire article)
MACHE Director Visits Ghana
Dr. Ronny Bell, Director of the Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity, visited the country of Ghana from April 28-May 4, 2010. The trip was coordinated by Dr. Medge Owen, Professor of Obstetric Anesthesiology at Wake Forest School of Medicine, and Dr. Yemi Olufalabi, Associate Clinical Professor of Women's Anesthesiology at Duke University as part of a collaboration with the Kybele organization (http://www.kybeleworldwide.org/). In addition to the work of the Kybele team focusing on improving pregnancy outcomes at Ridge Hospital in the capital city of Accra, the trip was a first step for the MACHE to develop international research opportunities. Drs. Bell, Owen and Olufalabi also visited Komfo Anokye, a teaching hospital ini Kumasi in central Ghana. A major accomplishment of the trip was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Kybele, the MACHE, and the Ghana Health Services. This is a very exciting opportunity for the MACHE. "The people that we met were very eager to develop this partnership," said Bell. 
Ghana Photos - 2010
Events - Photo Gallery
On February 16, 2011 the Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity sponsored a Health Disparities/Health Equity Research Summit at Winston Salem State University. Posters were presented by faculty and staff.
"Barriers to DASH adoptioni among African Americans in Forsyth County, NC: the Translating Dietary into othe Community study"
Alain Bertoni, M.D.
Associate Professor, Epidemiology & Prevention
Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity
Translational Science Institute
Center for Diabetes Research
"Minimized and Marginalized: A Qualitative Exploration of Black Males Need Endorsement for Integrated Health Equity Promotion"
Authors: Dr. David L. Mount - Director of Community Outreach for the Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity)
Darin M. Johnson - (Data Coordinator II - Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity)
Maria Isabel Rego - (Data Coordinator II - Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity)
Alethea Amponsah - (Data Coordinator II - Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity)
"Unveiling Social Justice Advocate's Health Risk Factors and Perceptions of How Social Justice Work Impacts Their Health: An Exploratory Research"
Authors: Dr. David L. Mount - Director of Community Outreach for the Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity)
Darin M. Johnson - (Data Coordinator II - Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity)
Maria Isabel Rego - (Data Coordinator II - Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity)
Alethea Amponsah - (Data Coordinator II - Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity)
Sharice Javies - (Student Volunteer from Winston Salem State University)
Lisa Smith - (Wake Forest School of Medicine Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program)
Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity Participates in the First "Reality Check" Event at Goodwill Industries
Approximately 40-50 young adults between the ages of 16-21 attended the event, learning a variety of life skills including finance, budgeting, human resources, interviewing, and health and wellness. Montez Lane, Community Outreach Project Manager for the Center, manned a display that included information and pamphlets on various areas within the FC Health Department on STD testing, nutrient and health, diabetes/ etc.
September 4, 2009 - Student National Medical Association (SNMA) March for Health Equity
November 2009 - Cocktails and Conversations with Dr. Angelou
Saks 5th Avenue – New York, New York – November 2009
Leadership Luncheon with Dr. Maya Angelou Coctails & Conversations
Washington, DC 7-26-10 Saks 5th Ave, NY 1-4-09
The Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity Staff Donates Time to Second Harvest Food Bank
Dr. Ronny Bell, Dr. Alain Bertoni, Sarah Langdon and Winona Gilbert recently helped out at the Second Harvest Food Bank in Winston Salem, NC by boxing food for the needy. The Center plans to donate time on a monthly basis to lend a hand.
With support from many generous food and financial donors and the helping hands of some 2,000 volunteers, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina plays a critical role in hunger-relief efforts for the region, helping to provide access to food to those who cannot afford it so that they can survive and even thrive. Through their primary food distribution program, they solicit, transport, inspect , sort, warehouse and distribute donated food to nearly 400 non-profit partner agencies that serve people at risk of hunger and others in need . They are a proud member of Feeding America (formerly named America's Second Harvest), a collaborative and coordinated network of more than 200 food banks united nationally and operating locally, serving every community in the nation to get food to those who need it. Collectively, we distribute more than 2 billion pounds of food each year to 50,000 non-profit organizations serving those in need across the nation.