Summer 2024 CEMHD Newsletter
2024 President’s Forum on Health Disparities Focuses on Maternal Health Disparities
The President’s Forum on Health Disparities, sponsored and organized by the CEMHD, is a signature event supported by UAlbany’s prestigious National Institutes of Health (NIH) S21 Award, entitled “The Endowment for Community-Based Health Disparities Research and Training.”
This annual event is intended to promote research on health disparities, foster engagement and collaboration, and contribute to the achievement of health equity. The Forum featured an interactive panel with four experts in maternal and child health on April 12, 2024.
The Forum provided a unique opportunity for health disparities researchers and students to share their findings, make connections and develop projects through interaction and engagement with like-minded faculty, as well as practitioners and community members. This year’s focus was Maternal Health in New York State: A Transdisciplinary Approach to Addressing Maternal Health Disparities.
Forum attendees were welcomed by President Havidán Rodriguez, who underscored the University at Albany’s longstanding commitments to the elimination of health disparities. Dr. Thenkurussi "Kesh" Kesavadas, UAlbany's Vice President for Research & Economic Development, provided an overview of a new AI project aimed at improving patient provider communication between birthing individuals and their providers.
The highlight of the Forum was the discussion panel, whose members represented diverse perspectives on maternal health disparities, including direct support of birthing people by the non-profit sector, research and medical education, and publicly funded programs. Panel members included:
- Ms. Madeleine Dorval-Moller, the Executive Director of the Northern Manhattan Perinatal Partnership (NMPP)
- Ms. Ann-Margret Foley, the Director of the Bureau of Perinatal, Reproductive, and Sexual Health within the Division of Family Health at the New York State Department of Health
- Ms. Esther Patterson, a birth doula and Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of BirthNet
- Dr. Simone Seward, an alumna of the CEMHD Presidential Health Disparities Fellowship Program, and Assistant Professor for the Community Engaged Learning Program in the Norton College of Medicine at Upstate Medical University
Following the panelists’ individual presentations on their organizations’ approaches to addressing maternal health disparities, and particularly supporting birthing individuals of color, a Q&A session gave audience members the opportunity to learn more. The session was facilitated by:
- Dr. Christine T. Bozlak, Co-director of the Maternal and Child Health Program at UAlbany’s School of Public Health
- Dr. Elizabeth Vásquez, Director of CEMHD and Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
In Memoriam
We note with great sadness the passing of Esther Patterson on May 29, 2024.
Ms. Patterson’s dedication to health equity and particularly the health concerns of women of color can be seen in her work with:
- BirthNet, a birth justice organization whose primary mission is to eliminate the inequities in birth outcomes for all birthing people
- The Alliance for Positive Health, where she led a group for Black women with histories of trauma
- Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, where she founded a teen peer reproductive health education program
Ms. Patterson helped Black and Brown women navigate the often-confusing medical system and improve birth outcomes for over 25 years.
2024 SPRINTER Students Visit CEMHD
CEMHD hosted a group of students involved in SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University's Summer Program in Translational Disparities and Community Engaged Research (SPRINTER) on July 16, 2024, for a day of research presentations and a tour of The RNA Institute.
SPRINTER is a summer research experience for undergraduate students that combines basic science with health disparities and community-based research.
During their visit, the SPRINTER students were welcomed by Dr. Elizabeth Vásquez, Director of the CEMHD and Dr. Paul Morgan, who directs the Institute for Social and Health Equity (ISHE).
This year’s group of students learned about current research with RNA Institute Director Andy Berglund, Assistant Director of Research John Cleary, Research Scientist Sweta Vangaveti and Lab Manager Tammy Reid.
Esperanza Rosas, a Health Disparities Doctoral Fellow studying in the Department of Biological Sciences, who is also affiliated with the RNA Institute and supported by the Hearst Foundation's award, presented her current research projects to the visiting group.
Ms. Rosas is a third-year PhD student working with Dr. Gabriele Fuchs, associate professor of biological sciences jointly affiliated with The RNA Institute in the College of Arts and Sciences. Ms. Rosas' current research is looking at how RNA modifications influence translation, the process by which information from DNA is used to produce proteins in cells.
The visiting students ended their day by touring The RNA Institute, led by Dr. Berglund. They were treated to a 3D presentation explaining the basics of RNA science and how toxic RNA is targeted to develop disease treatments. The 3D visualization is a tool that the RNA Institute researchers commonly use in projects such as those aiming to develop new small molecules designed to reduce RNA toxicity.