President’s Forum on Health Disparities

The 2024 President’s Forum was held from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 12, 2024.

The 2024 agenda was as follows:

10:30 to 10:50 a.m. — Welcome and Introductions

• Havidán Rodríguez, PhD, President, University at Albany, State University of New York
• Thenkurussi (Kesh) Kesavadas, PhD, Vice President for Research and Economic Development, University at Albany, State University of New York
• Paul L. Morgan, Director, Institute for Social and Health Equity, Social and Health Equity Endowed Professor, Empire Innovation Professor, Department of Health Policy, Management and Behavior, School of Public Health, University at Albany

10:55 to 11 a.m. — Introduction of Panelists

• Madeleine Dorval-Moller, Executive Director, Northern Manhattan Perinatal Partnership
• Ann-Margret Foley, Director, Bureau of Perinatal, Reproductive, and Sexual Health at New York State Department of Health
• Esther Patterson, Co-Chair of the Board of Directors, BirthNet
• Simone Seward, Assistant Professor in Public Health and Preventive Medicine and Director of Community Engaged Learning at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York

11 a.m. to Noon — Panelist Presentations

Noon to 12:15 p.m. — Break & Transition to Lunch

12:15 to 12:45 p.m. — Working Lunch (Discussion at Tables)

12:50 to 1:45 p.m. — Facilitated Group Discussion with Panelists

• Christine Bozlak, PhD, Associate Professor, Co-Director, Maternal and Child Health Program, Department of Health Policy, Management and Behavior, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York
• Elizabeth Vásquez, DrPH, Director, Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities, Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York

1:45 to 2 p.m. — Closing Remarks & Informal Networking 

The 2023 President’s Forum was held from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 21, 2023.

Watch a video recording of the 2023 forum.

The 2023 agenda was as follows:

10 to 10:25 a.m. — Welcome and Introductions

• Annis G. Golden, PhD, Director, Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities, Associate Professor, Department of Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York
• Havidán Rodríguez, PhD, President, University at Albany, State University of New York
• Thenkurussi (Kesh) Kesavadas, PhD, Vice President for Research and Economic Development, University at Albany, State University of New York
• Paul L. Morgan, PhD, Director, Institute for Social and Health Equity, University at Albany, State University of New York

10:25 to 10:30 a.m. — Introduction of Keynote Speaker

• Annis G. Golden, PhD, Director, Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities, Associate Professor, Department of Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York

10:30 to 11:15 a.m. — Keynote: Community Engaged Research: Pathway to Reducing Disparities

• Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable, MD, Director, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities

11:15 to 11:20 a.m. — Introduction to Reaction Panel Discussion  

• Annis G. Golden, PhD, Director, Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities, Associate Professor, Department of Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York

11:20 to 11:55 a.m. — Reaction Panel

• DeeDee Bennett Gayle, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security & Cybersecurity, University at Albany, State University of New York
• Blanca Ramos, PhD, Associate Professor, School of Social Welfare, Department of Latin American, Caribbean & U.S. Latino Studies; Convenor, Amsterdam Minority Health Task Force; University at Albany, State University of New York
• Greg Owen, LMSW, Convenor, Albany Minority Health Task Force; Consultant, Facilitator and Trainer in Organizational Transformation and Racial Justice
• Barry Walston, Member, Albany Minority Health Task Force; AIDS Program Manager, New York State Department of Health; Past President, Albany Affiliate of the Black Child Development Institute
• Guillermo Escaño, Presidential Health Disparities Doctoral Fellow, School of Criminal Justice, University at Albany, State University of New York

11:55 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. — Break

12:05 to 12:10 p.m. — Introduction to Panel Discussion & to Dr. Paul Morgan, Inaugural Director of the University’s new Institute for Social and Health Equity

• Annis G. Golden, PhD, Director, Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities, Associate Professor, Department of Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York

12:10 to 12:15 p.m. — Institute for Social and Health Equity & Community Engaged Research

• Paul Morgan, PhD, Inaugural Director of the Institute for Social and Health Equity, University at Albany, State University of New York

12:15 to 1:30 p.m. — Community Engaged Research Panel

• Facilitator: Christine Bozlak, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Health Policy, Management and Behavior, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York
• Panelists:
  • Tomoko Udo, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Health Policy, Management and Behavior, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York
  • Carmen Morano, PhD, Professor & Doctoral Program Director, School of Social Welfare, University at Albany, State University of New York
  • Stephen Giordano, PhD, Commissioner, Albany County Department of Mental Health
  • Mariya Zheleva, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York
  • Beth Feingold, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York
  • Natasha Pernicka, Director, Food Pantries of the Capital District
  • Lindsey Disney, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Social Welfare, University at Albany, State University of New York
  • Rukhsana Ahmed, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Communication, University at Albany, State University of New York
  • Abdullah Abdy, Community Data Collector, Telehealth and COVID-19 Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in New York State Refugee Communities Survey
  • Haifa Fawzi, Community Data Collector, Telehealth and COVID-19 Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in New York State Refugee Communities Survey
  • Ghada Alsulaiman, Community Data Collector, Telehealth and COVID-19 Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in New York State Refugee Communities Survey
  • Balqees Sayed, Community Data Collector, Telehealth and COVID-19 Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in New York State Refugee Communities Survey

1:30 p.m. — Closing Remarks

• Annis G. Golden, PhD, Director, Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities, Associate Professor, Department of Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York 

The 2022 President’s Forum was held from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 15, 2022.

Watch a video recording of the 2022 forum.

The 2022 forum was jointly hosted by CEMHD and UAlbany; SUNY Upstate Medical University; and SUNY Downstate Medical University and the Brooklyn Health Disparities Center.

The 2022 agenda was as follows:

11 to 11:15 a.m. — Welcome and Introductions

• Annis G. Golden, PhD, Interim Director, Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities and Associate Professor, Department of Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York
• Havidán Rodríguez, PhD, President, University at Albany, State University of New York
• Thenkurussi (Kesh) Kesvadas, PhD, Vice President for Research and Economic Development, University at Albany, State University of New York
• Moro O. Salifu, MD, MPH, MBA, Director, Brooklyn Health Disparities Center, Chair and Professor of Medicine, The Edwin C. and Anne K. Weiskopf Endowed Chair in Nephrology, Chief, Division of Nephrology, Director of the Kidney Transplant Program, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University

11:15 to 11:20 a.m. — Introduction of Keynote Speaker

• Annis G. Golden, PhD, Interim Director, Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities and Associate Professor, Department of Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York

11:20 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. — Keynote: Achieving Health Equity: Naming Racism and Moving to Action

• Dr. Camara Phyllis Jones, MD, MPH, PhD, 2021-2022 UCSF Presidential Chair, University of California, San Francisco

12:05 to 12:10 p.m. — Introduction to Reaction Panel Discussion

• Annis G. Golden, PhD, Interim Director, Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities and Associate Professor, Department of Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York

12:10 to 12:45 p.m. — Reaction Panel

• Julia Hastings, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Health Policy, Management and Behavior, School of Public Health and School of Social Welfare, University at Albany, State University of New York  
• Elizabeth Vasquez, PhD, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York  
• Angela Antonikowski, PhD, MA, Chief Diversity Officer of Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Albany Medical Center and Associate Dean for Student Wellness, Albany Medical College  
• Ola Kalu, Presidential Health Disparities Doctoral Fellow, Department of Sociology, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York  

12:45 to 12:55 p.m. — Break

12:55 to 1:05 p.m. — Introduction to Panel Discussions and Directions

• Annis G. Golden, PhD, Interim Director, Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities and Associate Professor, Department of Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York  

1:05 to 2:20 p.m. — Concurrent Panel Discussions
 

• Environmental Health Disparities
  • Panelists:
    • Lawrence M. Schell, PhD, Distinguished Professor, Department of Anthropology, College of Arts and Sciences; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, and Founding Director, Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities, University at Albany, State University of New York 
      The complex radiation of environmental impacts in an indigenous community: A case study
    • DeeDee Bennett Gayle, PhD, Associate Professor, College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity, University at Albany, State University of New York 
      Reducing Social Vulnerability to Disasters with Community Engagement
    • Shao Lin, PhD, Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York 
      Evaluating the disparities of environmental hazards and their health effects in New York State
    • Dorcey Applyrs, PhD, Chief City Auditor, City of Albany  
      Environmental Health Disparities in the City of Albany
  • Facilitator: Samantha Friedman, PhD, Director, Center for Social and Demographic Analysis and Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York  
     
• Maternal Health Disparities
  • Panelists:
    • Elise Andaya, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York  
      Reframing Risk: Rapid Research on the Impact of COVID-19 on Sexual and Reproductive Health Disparities During the First Surge in NY State
    • Rajani Bhatia, PhD, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Women's, Gender & Sexuality Studies, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York  
      Reframing Risk: Rapid Research on the Impact of COVID-19 on Sexual and Reproductive Health Disparities During the First Surge in NY State
    • Christine T. Bozlak, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Health Policy, Management and Behavior, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York  
      Maternal Health Disparities: Current Considerations and Potential Steps Forward
    • Fajah Ferrer, Community Outreach Coordinator, Northern Manhattan Perinatal Partnership, Inc. 
      Northern Manhattan Perinatal Partnership’s Community Health Worker Approach to Eliminating Maternal Health Disparities
    • Nakia Tillman, Co-Director, BirthNet 
      BirthNet's Response to Maternal Health Disparities: Centering Black Mamas, Black Families and Black Doulas
  • Facilitator: Kate W. Strully, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York  
     
• Health Communication, Digital Divide & Messaging
  • Panelists:
    • Jennifer Manganello, PhD, Professor, Department of Health Policy, Management and Behavior, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York   
      Developing and disseminating public health messages: COVID-19 and health disparities
    • Rukhsana Ahmed, PhD, Associate Professor and Department Chair, Department of Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York 
      Communication Barriers and Facilitators to Caring for LEP Patients during COVID-19: Exploring Frontline Providers’ Perspectives
    • Dina Refki, DA, Executive Director of the Center for Women in Government & Civil Society, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, University at Albany, State University of New York   
      Communication Barriers and Facilitators to Caring for LEP Patients during COVID-19: Exploring Frontline Providers’ Perspectives
    • Jeanette Altarriba, PhD, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, Professor, Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York   
      Communication Barriers and Facilitators to Caring for LEP Patients during COVID-19: Exploring Frontline Providers’ Perspectives
    • Masahiro Yamamoto, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York   
      Correlates of COVID-19 Information Overload and Information Seeking: Evidence from a Community Survey
    • Kristy Medina, Program Manager, Center for Community Health Navigation, New York Presbyterian Hospital 
      A CHW- led effort to identify and address digital limitations among program participants
  • Facilitator: Renee Cadzow, PhD, Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Health Administration and Public Health, D'Youville College and Board Co-Chair, CoNECT/Community Health Worker Network of Buffalo
     

2:20 to 2:25 p.m. — Closing Remarks

• Annis G. Golden, PhD, Interim Director, Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities and Associate Professor, Department of Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York  

The 2021 President’s Forum was held from 11 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. April 30, 2021.  

Watch a video recording of the 2021 forum.

The 2021 forum was jointly hosted by CEMHD and UAlbany; SUNY Upstate Medical University; and SUNY Downstate Medical University and the Brooklyn Health Disparities Center.

The 2021 agenda was as follows:

11 to 11:19 a.m. — Welcome and Introductions & UAlbany-Downstate-Upstate Partnership on Health Disparities  

• Lawrence Schell, Director, Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities
• Havidán Rodríguez, President, University at Albany, State University of New York
• James A. Dias, Vice President for Research, University at Albany, State University of New York
• Moro Salifu, Director, Brooklyn Health Disparities Center, Chair and Professor of Medicine, The Edwin C. and Anne K. Weiskopf Endowed Chair in Nephrology, Chief, Division of Nephrology, Director of the Kidney Transplant Program, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
• Daryll C. Dykes, Assistant Professor, Diversity and Inclusion, Upstate Medical University

11:20 to 11:22 a.m. — Introduction of the Keynote Speaker

• Lawrence Schell, Director, Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities

11:23 a.m. to Noon — Keynote: From Exposure to Vaccination: The Role of Structural Racism in COVID Inequities 

• Thomas A. LaVeist, Dean & Weatherhead Presidential Chair in Health Equity, School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine, Tulane University

12:01 to 12:07 p.m. — Introduction to Reaction Panel Discussion  

• Moderator: Lawrence Schell, Director, Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities

12:08 to 12:45 p.m. — Reaction Panel

• Panelists:
  • Hayward Derrick Horton, Professor, Sociology, University at Albany, State University of New York
  • Ladan Alomar, Former Executive Director, Centro Civico, Inc.
  • Daryll C. Dykes, Chief Diversity Officer, Upstate Medical University; Assistant Professor of Diversity and Inclusion, Upstate Medical University
  • Katheryn Roberson, Fellow, Health Disparities Research Training Program; Advanced Doctoral student in Counseling Psychology; Psychology Extern at Children's Hospital of New York

12:46 to 12:52 p.m. — Introduction to Relationship Panel Discussion  

• Moderator: Lawrence Schell, Director, Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities

12:53 to 1:18 p.m. — Relationship Panel: Government, Community and University

Panelists:

• Gregory Owens, Convener, Albany Minority Health Task Force; Coordinator, The Rev. Leonard D. Comithier, Jr. Institute; Retired, Deputy Commissioner/Director of the Office of Youth Justice with the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services.
• Theresa A. Pardo, Special Assistant to the President; Associate Vice President for Research; Research Professor, Public Administration & Policy, International Affairs, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, University at Albany, State University of New York
• Simone A Seward, Fellow, Health Disparities Research Training Program; Staff Associate of Student Affairs, Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Upstate Medical University
• Wilma Alvarado-Little, Associate Commissioner, New York State Department of Health, Director, Office of Minority Health & Health Disparities Prevention

1:19 to 1:28 p.m. — Breakout Introduction & Directions  

1:29 to 1:33 p.m. — Virtual Break  

1:34 to 2:18 p.m. — Simultaneous Breakout Sessions  

• Role of Community Partnerships: COVID-19 and After
• Vaccination and Trust
• Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health in Families and Persons
• Health Communication, the Digital Divide and Messaging on COVID-19

The breakout sessions served to build awareness among participants of ongoing research across the campuses, provide an opportunity to meet potential collaborators and define critical issues for research going forward.

Each breakout was expected to identify one or two high priority issues that can be reported at the Forum closing.  

2:18 to 2:20 p.m. — Closing Remarks