UPDATE: If you missed the event, please see the recording links below:
In partnership with the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History & Culture, Kaiser Permanente is pleased to present the 2nd Annual “African Americans in Health Care Awards.” The event will recognize important contributions of African American health and community leaders to the pandemic response and will also provide information about the COVID vaccines. The virtual event is scheduled to take place on Thursday, February 25 at 1 pm and is free to the public.
“Black History Month provides a timely opportunity to recognize African Americans who are models of leadership and success in our community. We are especially thrilled to honor African American health care professionals who have been so critical to fighting this pandemic,” said Ruth Williams-Brinkley, regional president of Kaiser Permanente. “The challenges confronting our communities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic are unprecedented. We are honored to celebrate those who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to alleviate the burden on communities, and further, to educate our community about the life-saving COVID-19 vaccine.”
Among those to be honored are Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, scientific lead, Coronavirus Vaccines and Immunologist, National Institute of Health. Dr. Corbett will be featured in a keynote discussion, moderated by Dr. Freeman Harbowski III, president of University of Maryland Baltimore County, focusing on the development of the COVID-19 vaccine, her role as one of the lead scientists and the importance of the vaccine to greater Baltimore. She will specifically address vaccine-related concerns that have been raised in the African American community. In addition, she will discuss vaccine protocol, efficacy, and what the public needs to know about widespread community vaccination.
Other awardees are:
- Letitia Dzirasa, health commissioner, Baltimore City,
- Annette March-Grier, executive director, Roberta’s House, and
- Stephen B. Thomas, director, Maryland Center for Health Equity and professor, Health Policy and Management, University of Maryland.
“There has never been a more important time for African Americans to be leaders in healthcare,” said Terr Lee Freeman, executive director, Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture. “We’re proud to partner with Kaiser Permanente to recognize the incredible contributions of African American leaders have made in the fight against COVID-19, and to address the hesitancy in our community surrounding the COVID vaccine.”
Ms. Williams-Brinkley will deliver opening remarks at the event. Dr. Freeman will serve as moderator, interviewing the honorees about their experiences. Celeste James, executive director, Community Health at Kaiser Permanente, and Drew Hawkins, board president of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, will act as event emcees.
The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History & Culture, and Kaiser Permanente encourage individuals to register for the free event in advance at https://lewismuseum.org/.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.4 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. https://about.kaiserpermanente.org/
About the Reginald F. Lewis Museum
The Reginald F. Lewis Museum is Maryland’s largest museum dedicated to the State’s African American experience. A Smithsonian affiliate, the museum engages visitors through its permanent and special exhibitions, community events and family programming. The museum is celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2020.
