Department of Medicine hosts inaugural Underrepresented Minority Professional Development and Networking event

The Department of Medicine’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion council, the Atlanta Medical Association, and the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program recently welcomed 100 guests to the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame for its inaugural Underrepresented Minority Professional Development and Networking Event. The gathering was an opportunity for faculty, trainees, and Atlanta-based physicians to engage in meaningful conversations on healthcare topics pertaining to historically underrepresented minority groups.

In recognition of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, the theme for the event was “The Impact of Alzheimer’s Disease on One’s Role as a Caregiver and Physician.” Panelists included Frank Jones, MD; Monica Willis-Parke, MD, head of the Minority Engagement Core, one of six cores of the Emory Goizueta Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center; and Stephanie Garrett, MD, assistant professor of medicine in the Division of General Medicine and Geriatrics. They discussed their personal, professional, and clinical experiences with Alzheimer’s Disease. Their anecdotes were supplemented by presentations from representatives of the Alzheimer’s Association, who shared resources for both physicians and caregivers. Guests from Morehouse School of Medicine, the Georgia Memory Network Department of Neurology, the Memory Care Community, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Atlanta Medical Association, and all Emory sites were in attendance.

Special thanks to Jada Bussey-Jones, MD, and Kimberly Manning, MD, vice and associate vice chairs for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, for their dedication to this initiative.

This event was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $3.75M with 0% percentage financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

View photos of the event, below.