Tuskegee University recognizes National Minority Health Month

Tuskegee University
Tuskegee University

Tuskegee University recognizes National Minority Health Month

Submitted by Teri Sumbry

      In recognition of National Minority Health Month, the Health Disparities Institute for Research and Education and the National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care at Tuskegee University will host a series of events. According to the Office of Minority Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “This April, the Office of Minority Health and our partners mark National Minority Health Month by raising awareness about health disparities that continue to affect racial and ethnic minorities, and the health care law’s groundbreaking policies to reduce these disparities and achieve health equity.”

     In keeping with the theme for National Minority Health Month, the Health Disparities Institute for Research and Education will convene the 2nd Annual Health Disparities Symposium focusing on: “The Economic Impact of Health Disparities in the Alabama Black Belt.” One of the major sessions in the symposium is the “Economic Analysis of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” presented by Pamela Roshell, Region IV director of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The symposium will held Thursday- April 14 at the university and the City of Tuskegee.

     April 27, the Health Disparities Institute will host a gala with featured keynote speaker, Dr. Henry W. Foster, Jr., a renowned physician who was head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at John A. Andrew Hospital, here in Tuskegee. In addition, Foster was the presidential nominee for U.S. Surgeon General under the Clinton administration, and former dean of medicine at Meharry Medical College. The gala, “New Spirit, New Hope for Health Care,” will recognize Tuskegee University graduates who are currently in the health care professions and/or who are engaged in health disparities research and education. The gala will also showcase the outstanding career of Dr. Foster and serve as the launching of an endowed scholarship in his name. The scholarship will be for those students at Tuskegee University who have aspired to pursue a career in the health professions or health disparities research. Foster will discuss “Creating New Paradigms in Healthcare and Healthcare Delivery.”

 

Schedules of Events:

  • 2nd Annual Health Disparities Symposium – “The Economic Impact of Health Disparities in the Alabama Black Belt” – Thursday-Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. CST  at Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center at Tuskegee University 0 Students $25; senior citizens (62 and older) $25; and other registrants $100
  • Healthy Lifestyles Health Marathon – “The Economic Impact of Health Disparities in the Alabama Black Belt”– Saturday, 8 a.m. CST – City of Tuskegee Square- Competitive runners $25 and free for non-competitive participants
  • Worship Service – Sunday, April 14 – 11 a.m. CST – Butler Chapel AME Zion Church – Free
  • Women In Science and Health (W.I.S.H.) Seminar – Wednesday, April 17 – 12- 1:30 p.m. CST – John A. Kenney Hall Room 70-105, Tuskegee University
  • “New Spirit: New Hope in Healthcare” Gala – Featured Speaker: Dr. Henry W. Foster, Jr,  Saturday, April 27, 5:30 – 6 p.m. CST for reception and 6 – 8:30 p.m. CST for gala, City of Tuskegee Municipal Complex – Tickets are $50 per person and $90 per couple

 About National Minority Health Month

     Historically, National Minority Health Month arose from the work of Booker T. Washington, Tuskegee University’s founder and first president. In 1915, he launched Negro Health Improvement Week that later evolved to National Negro Health Week which occurred from April 11 – April 17. What we now observe as National Minority Health Month had its origin in The National Negro Health Week of Booker T. Washington. Booker T. Washington addressed the issue of health in 1914 at the Tuskegee Negro Conference. It was in his address that he reiterated the data surrounding the health of the American Negro. In his address, he cited that 45 percent of all Negro deaths were preventable; that there were 450,000 Negroes who experienced serious illnesses continuously; the annual cost was $75 million; and that sickness and death cost the American Negro $100 million annually. Together, these activities and citations prompted a 35-year national health movement starting in 1915 and ending in or around 1950.

  About Tuskegee University

     Founded in 1881 by Booker T. Washington, Tuskegee University is home to approximately 3,000 students from the U.S. and 30 foreign countries. The academic programs are organized into seven colleges and schools: 1.) Andrew F. Brimmer College of Business and Information Science, 2.) College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Sciences, 3.) College of Arts and Sciences, 4.) College of Engineering, 5.) College of Veterinary Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health, 6.) Robert R. Taylor School of Architecture and Construction Science, and 7.) School of Education. Tuskegee University is accredited with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, master’s, doctorate, and professional degrees. The following programs are accredited by national agencies: architecture, business, education, engineering, clinical laboratory sciences, nursing, occupational therapy, social work, and veterinary medicine.

 

About Carma Henry 24363 Articles
Carma Lynn Henry Westside Gazette Newspaper 545 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 Office: (954) 525-1489 Fax: (954) 525-1861

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