Dobbs Defense Solutions’ Post

Reflecting on a key insight from our CEO, Mark McKinney, from his enlightening blog post titled "There's No Monopoly on Good Ideas," it's clear that collaboration stands at the core of our values. https://lnkd.in/ewnbQxpr As we advance into 2024, the spirit of collaboration continues to be the driving force behind our mission and our projects. Here's a glimpse into how we are putting teamwork into action: •  Collaborating with Ellenville Regional Hospital, we're tackling the urgent issue of opioid overdose risk, focusing on enhancing community health and safety. •   In partnership with Healthix, we're pioneering efforts to provide broader access to health records for New Yorkers, empowering them with critical health information. •   Working alongside Healthy Alliance, we're fortifying our provider community, building essential connections to support patients with social needs. These initiatives are a testament to our dedication to collaborative innovation, demonstrating that collective efforts can lead to unparalleled achievements. #Collaboration #Innovation #Healthcare

Check out this upcoming webinar on digital skills and mental health.

Dr. Uché Blackstock, MD's new memoir, LEGACY: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine, sheds light on the challenges faced by Black healthcare professionals and patients alike, while also highlighting the urgent need for systemic change. Dr. Blackstock is an advocate, physician, and founder of Advancing Health Equity, a nonprofit dedicated to forging partnerships aimed at dismantling racism in healthcare and eliminating racialized health inequities. She navigates the complexities of racism in medicine with clarity and compassion. As we continue to reckon with the pervasive effects of racism, especially in healthcare, Dr. Blackstock's work is more timely and essential than ever. Her book serves as a roadmap for healthcare professionals, policymakers, and advocates alike, offering personal stories and tangible steps towards a more equitable future. Drawing from her experiences, LEGACY details gaps in healthcare resulting from bias. One such example included in her book involves a time her appendicitis symptoms were dismissed, and she was turned away from the ER three times, despite being a medical student. LEGACY is not just a memoir; it's a call to action. Dr. Blackstock's courageous storytelling invites readers to join her in challenging the status quo and advocating for health equity. To hear more about LEGACY, listen to Dr. Blackstone on NPR's Fresh Perspective: https://lnkd.in/e9TCgvPJ Join KC Health Collaborative in celebrating this important addition to the conversation on racial justice in medicine. Let's amplify Dr. Blackstock's voice and commit to creating a future where healthcare is truly accessible to all. Let’s get to work. #HealthEquity #RacialJustice #kansascity

Last week, Black Men's Health Clinic (BMHC) was represented at the Black Men's Brain Health Conference in Las Vegas for Super Bowl Week, where BMHC board president, Dr. Larry Wallace Jr., Ph.D., spoke from an organizational perspective on community engagement. BMHC sat on a diverse panel called "Working with Community Partners" at the event. The panel was moderated by Lisa Barnes, Ph.D., of Rush University, and other panel participants were Harry Evans of Heal Black Men, José Melendrez, Executive Director of Community Partnerships of the University of North Las Vegas (UNLV) School of Public Health, and Jason Flatt, Ph.D., MPH from the Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition. Questions were addressed from the audience and there was notable dialogue amongst the panelists. BMHC Board President Wallace made several compelling statements, but there is one we would like to point out in this article. Dr. Larry Wallace Jr. said, "It is important that we make sure we don't go "cookie cutter" when we are working to engage the community. We need to think about our target audience, their comfortability, and understand the people we serve well enough to create pockets of safe spaces from one neighborhood to another." He went on further to express that fundamentally, we need to take the time to relate to the people we serve and show them we care. Simply because people don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care. VIDEO: https://lnkd.in/g--dQUa8 Subscribe to our newsletter today: https://lnkd.in/g_GFfMYu #BMHC #BlackMensHealth #BrainHealthConference #SuperBowlWeek #CommunityEngagement #PublicHealth #LasVegasEvents #DrLarryWallaceJr #HealBlackMen #UNLV #NevadaMinorityHealth #SafeSpaces #HealthEquity #PanelDiscussion #DiversityInMedicine #HealthcareInnovation #CommunityPartners #MentalHealthAwareness #SocialDeterminantsOfHealth #HealthcareDialogue

New evidence is changing our understanding of how social care impacts health, going beyond connecting people to social services and reducing #sdoh barriers. In a recent paper, the co-directors of SIREN - Laura Gottlieb, Danielle Hessler, and Caroline Fichtenberg - explored the complex ways in which social care interventions influence health and healthcare utilization. The paper identifies key pathways, including connecting people to social services, providing tailored clinical care, offering emotional support through healing relationships, and creating connections with health services. #populationhealth #socialcareintegration #wholepersoncare

Thank you Kathleen Szegda for contributing to our blog about putting race and health equity resources into practice! Kathleen Szegda is the Senior Director of Community Research and Evaluation at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. She writes, "Health equity and anti-racism work are core values in our work. The resource guide provides a lot of great information about how to engage in this work. It’s hard work and requires leaning into discomfort and ongoing self-reflection about how we show up, biases we bring to the table, and how we intentionally counter those biases and the dominant narratives that are pervasive in our society that contribute to inequity. I’ve used a number of the resources in the resource guide, including the “Levels of Racism,” the many Robert Wood Johnson Foundation resources on health equity and how racism impacts health, articles by David Williams on the impacts of racism on health, and the “White Dominant and Something Different” tool. These resources have shaped my understanding of how our country’s history of enslavement of Black people and subsequent and present-day racist systems and structures continue to drive health inequities today, how systems and structures create and perpetuate health inequities among the many other groups of people of color in our society, and what I can do to address racism. These resources have shaped the reports we have created and how we approach our work.” Visit the Race and Health Equity Guide to see these resources and more: https://lnkd.in/eF43FH9r

“#Prop35 will secure ongoing revenue by extending an existing levy on health insurance companies—without raising taxes on individuals—and dedicating these funds to protect and expand access to care for all #Californians. It guarantees billions in #healthcare dollars are spent as they were intended, capping administrative costs at 1% and ensuring the remaining 99% is spent directly on expanding access to healthcare. Importantly, Prop. 35 prevents the state from redirecting these funds for non-healthcare purposes. “ Please #vote YES on CA Prop 35! You can read more about Prop 35 here: https://lnkd.in/g-pzt84r

Structural racism is embedded in every aspect of society and contributes to the health disparities that persist today. If we are to create a world where health is truly for everyone, we must embrace new ways of learning that challenge the status quo. An important step in challenging structural racism is designing research studies that authentically incorporate community partners' expertise and lived experience. When community collaboration is embedded throughout the research process, findings are more relevant and better positioned to inform changes that directly address community needs. A panel by national program offices of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) will feature unique research collaborations, including: -Nebraska’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) service locations to develop a community-based screening program for colorectal cancer. -The first US municipality where both city and county governments jointly signed reparations resolutions in Buncombe County, NC. -A community-based organization and university team up to support fathers experiencing homelessness in Atlanta, GA. Cross-sector research collaboration teams from RWJF Evidence for Action, Policies for Action, and Systems for Action will share their insights and findings about promoting health equity in their local communities. Panelists: Jungyoon Kim, PhD | E4A Tamarie Macon, PhD, Rob Thomas, & Chasity Leake | P4A Latrice Rollins, PhD, Thomas Cotton & Lease Youmans | S4A Register to learn more on Wednesday, Oct. 2nd at 12pm ET: https://lnkd.in/gzb6_6xe

At Niasha Fray Consulting LLC, our mission is to advance health equity, particularly for marginalized communities. The Black Men’s Health Symposium is an important event that aligns with our work by addressing the critical health disparities Black men face. This symposium brings together leading experts in healthcare, psychology, and community leadership to tackle systemic issues such as discrimination, cultural bias, and barriers to access. This is more than just a discussion—it's an opportunity to drive real change in health outcomes for Black men and foster trust in the healthcare system. As advocates for equity, we believe it's crucial for our audience to stay informed about events like this to further our shared goals of inclusive, accessible care for all. 🎤 Special Guests include: Christopher Edwards, Expert in Clinical Psychology / Brain Health Kevin Thomas, MD, Vice Dean for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Robert W. Turner II, PhD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Research and Leadership What you'll gain from going to this event: ✅ Learn from top leaders in health equity ✅ Understand the challenges Black men face in healthcare ✅ Gain insights to help you drive health equity in your community We encourage you to visit the event page to learn more and, if you attend, let us know what insights you gain. How will this event help you advance health equity in your own work? Reserve your spot: https://lnkd.in/eQuN8Kgr #NiashaFrayConsulting #BlackMenThrive #HealthEquity #BlackMensHealth #DiversityAndInclusion #HealthDisparities #HealthcareForAll #HealthJustice #MenOfColor #InclusiveHealthcare #CommunityHealth #SocialJusticeInHealth #HealthAdvocacy #BreakingBarriers

As we commemorate Juneteenth, I am grateful to the American Hospital Association and the Institute for Diversity and Health Equity for the opportunity to share how this day holds profound significance in our shared quest for health equity. It reminds us of the enduring legacy of systemic inequities and the ongoing calling to dismantle them, wherever they exist. It is a call to action to build upon the successes of early leaders within the movement to advance health equity, and an opportunity to honor their sacrifice. I am fueled by a deeply rooted belief that health equity is not just an aspiration but an achievable reality. We stand at a critical juncture where courageous leadership is demanded. It is imperative that we stand firm in our commitment to drive change, thus propelling us towards outcomes we have never reached for every population group. As we think about the significance of #Juneteenth today in health care and public health, it is worth noting: Health equity IS within our reach. We are on the brink of achieving what was once deemed unattainable. With courage and steadfastness, we can move the needle and make substantial strides toward a more equitable health landscape. Please read more from the AHA's IFDHE link below. Joy Lewis #healthequity #healthcare #publichealth