Health Equity in Action

The PAN Foundation and CVS Specialty presented a four-part webinar series in 2023 to equip healthcare professionals and advocates with actionable strategies to help patients break down barriers to care.

Watch recordings and read recaps for these webinars:

• April 26, 2023: Understanding health inequities
• June 22, 2023: Mitigating barriers to mental health services
• September 27, 2023: Expanding diversity in clinical trials
• December 12, 2023: Addressing the needs of rural communities

Each webinar convened a diverse group of leading subject matter experts for critical conversations covering various topics, from mental health services to clinical trials to the unique challenges and needs in rural communities.

All four webinars in the series were hosted and moderated by Dr. Dara Richardson-Heron, a passionate and highly regarded Fortune 100 corporate executive, physician, advocate, and transformative change agent. In addition to leading a strategic healthcare advisory firm, Dr. Richardson-Heron served as the chief patient officer at Pfizer, where she played a pivotal role in advancing the organization’s efforts to increase diversity in the landmark COVID-19 clinical trial and advance patient-focused programs and health equity.

PAN is committed to eliminating longstanding health inequities and addressing key social drivers of health, particularly those that impact historically marginalized communities. Empowering healthcare providers and advocates to act around health equity through this webinar series is just one more step towards meeting this commitment.

Part one: Understanding health inequities

April 26, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. ET

An introduction to the concept of health equity and the consequences of health inequities.

Learning outcomes:

• Explain the concept of health equity and the consequences of health inequities.   
• Identify opportunities to advance health equity for underserved populations.  
• Define the Cultural Humility Imperative and why it matters.  
• Describe real-world examples of how organizations have achieved their health equity goals.  
• Employ practical strategies to address health disparities.    

Speakers:

Joel Helle, Vice President of Physician Services for CVS Specialty
A pharmacist by training, Helle has over 25 years of experience in addressing patient needs and challenges. Today, he manages CVS Specialty’s relationships with specialty patient support groups—ensuring a commitment to patients with health disparities.

James Ridley, Senior Manager of Clinical Affairs at the PAN Foundation
Before joining PAN, Ridley worked in retail pharmacy management, then spent several years as a pharmacist for the Department of Defense, where he gained valuable experience in medication management and patient care.

Part two: Mitigating barriers to mental health services

June 22, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. ET

Learning outcomes:

• Identify barriers that prevent individuals from receiving mental health services
• Explain the impact of mental health barriers nationally and locally
• Design effective strategies to mitigate barriers and promote equitable access to mental health services for all individuals

Speakers

Dustin Nowaskie, MD (they/them), a queer, nonbinary psychiatrist and Founder & President of the international nonprofit LGBTQ+ health equity organization OutCare Health. Dr. Nowaskie’s clinical and philanthropic work has led to several national accolades, presentations, publications, and awards. Their ultimate goal is to transform their might into a powerful unicorn of social and public health change for LGBTQ+ people.

Vic Armstrong (he/him), Director of Soul Shop for Black Churches, a national initiative to equip faith community leaders to minister to those impacted by suicide. Victor previously served as Chief Diversity Officer for RI International. Victor has over 30 years of experience in human services, primarily dedicated to building and strengthening community resources to serve individuals who have been historically marginalized and is a nationally recognized speaker on issues regarding health equity and access to healthcare, particularly as it relates to individuals living with mental health challenges.

Part three: Expanding diversity in clinical trials

September 27, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. ET

Learning outcomes

• Recognize the importance of diversity in clinical trials
• Explain the impact of historical diversity gaps in clinical trials
• Understand disparities in trial participation within underserved communities
• Identify barriers impeding patients from participating in clinical trials
• Engage in discussions with patients about clinical trials
• Formulate strategies to mitigate biases in clinical trial design

Speakers

Kara Downey, MSW (she/her) is a trained social worker with over a decade of experience in building programs alongside communities to create change. In her current role as the Director of Program Development and Delivery at the Cancer Support Community, Kara creates innovative, asset-focused programs for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers. She previously coordinated initiatives for children and adults with disabilities and special healthcare needs, most recently at the University of Delaware and Georgetown University.

Sabrina Mayhew, PhD, RN (she/her) is a certified oncology nurse navigator and 11-year breast cancer survivor who brings her personal experience and expertise to her role as a clinical trials specialist on the helpline at Cancer Support Community. She actively collaborates with various breast cancer advocacy organizations and serves on the board of directors for Gilda’s Club of Metro Detroit and the National Breast Cancer Coalition.

Martin Mendoza, PhD (he/him) serves as the Director of Health Equity for the All of Us Research Program at the National Institutes of Health. In this role, he provides leadership and high-level expertise to improve inclusion and equity in precision medicine and leads the program’s efforts to promote health equity.

Part four: Addressing the needs of rural communities

December 12, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. ET

This webinar explored the unique healthcare access challenges faced by healthcare providers and people living in rural communities and identify key strategies to help mitigate these challenges.

Learning outcomes: 

• Understand the scope of risk factors associated with living in rural communities.  
• Identify barriers that prevent individuals from accessing care in rural communities. 
• Outline ways to reduce barriers to care among patients living in rural communities. 
• Share resources and tools with patients from rural communities to improve health disparities 

Speakers:

Dr. Catherine Ipsen (she/her) is the Director of the Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities (RTC:Rural). RTC:Rural works to improve the health, independent living, and employment of individuals with disabilities living in rural communities through research, training, and technical assistance activities.  Ipsen has conducted research in the areas of rural service delivery and outcomes, digital access, health promotion, transportation, and personal assistance services (among others). 

Morgan O’Brien (she/her) has 6 years of experience in various roles at Family Reach, a national nonprofit dedicated to removing the financial barriers standing between cancer patients and their treatment. Now, Morgan’s role is critical to Family Reach’s Cancer Equity Initiative, focused on reaching and serving Black and Hispanic/Latino communities nationwide. Morgan’s team builds partnerships and programs that meet patients within their communities with Family Reach’s non-medical financial resources to ensure patients can continue accessing treatment. 

Michael Burson, MSW, LICSW, LCSW (he/him) is a clinical social worker and chair of the DE&I committee at the Roger Maris Cancer Center. Michael recently transitioned to the inaugural Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consultant position for Sanford Health’s eastern North Dakota/western Minnesota Fargo Moorhead region. Additionally, Michael provides consultation to the Sanford Health Enterprise Department of Diversity and Equity and sits on the Sanford Health Enterprise DE&I Council. Michael graduated from Colorado College with a bachelor’s in psychology and from the University of Denver Graduate school of Social Work with a master’s in social work. 

Gabriela Boscan (she/her) joined the National Rural Health Association staff in 2009. As Senior Director of Program Services and Development, she leads all grant-writing activities and management and is the NRHA staff lead contact for the Journal of Rural Health, the NRHA’s Fellowship program, the Health Equity Council, the USDA Hospital Technical Assistance Program, and the Rural Medical Educators Group. Gaby is also the key staff working on the NRHA’s US/Mexico Border Health Initiative and the lead planner of the NRHA’s Community Health Worker Training Network. 

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