VCU School of Medicine Chapter of the SNMA Hosts Health Policy Panel

By Sathya Achia Abraham

The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine Chapter of the Student National Medical Association is hosting a health policy panel that will address health disparities in minority populations and the current and future state of the healthcare system.

The event titled “Educating Future Physicians: Health Disparities in 2012 and Beyond,” takes place at 2 p.m. on Feb. 4 in the auditorium of the Hermes A. Kontos Medical Sciences Building, 1217 E. Marshall St., on the MCV Campus of VCU. The event is free and open to the public.

The panel brings together federal, state and local community leaders. Keynote speakers include U.S. Congressman Bobby Scott and Virginia House Delegate Jennifer McClellan.

The panel features Sheldon Retchin, M.D., CEO of the VCU Health System and vice president of VCU Health Sciences; PonJola Coney, M.D., director of the VCU Center on Health Disparities; Jack Lanier, Dr.PH, CEO of the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority and professor emeritus of the VCU Department of Epidemiology and Community Health; Wally Smith, M.D., science director of the VCU Center on Health Disparities; and Sheryl Garland, MHA, VCU Health System vice president for health policy and community relations.

Panelists will discuss health disparities in minority populations and the uninsured and the impact of health policy, research and the Affordable Care Act in Virginia and America at large.

This panel is being held as part of the VCU Chapter of the Student National Medical Association regional business meeting. More than 100 medical and pre-medical students from Virginia, Maryland and the Washington, D.C., area will take part in academic and clinical workshops, education sessions and the business meeting throughout the day.

The mission of the Student National Medical Association is to develop clinically excellent, culturally competent and socially conscious physicians. Student National Medical Association programs are designed to serve the health needs of underserved communities and communities of color.

For more information, contact Priscilla Mpasi at 202-431-0552.

Editor’s note: Interested media are asked to notify OCPR of their attendance by Friday, Feb. 3 to ensure admittance to the event.