Virtual Panel to Discuss Health Equity

(ST. JOSEPH)—Community Grand Rounds, a collaborative effort with Spectrum Health Lakeland, will host an online panel of health care professionals who play a critical role in national, state and county in efforts to advance health equity. The free event, "Health Equity in Action" will take place at 1 p.m. EST on Wednesday, March 24, and be broadcast live via Zoom.

Panelists include Aletha Maybank, MD, MPH, chief health equity officer of the American Medical Association; Renee Canady, PhD, MPA-MPHI, chief executive officer of the Michigan Public Health Institute; and Nicki Britten, MPH, health officer of the Berrien County Health Department. Together they will share why health equity matters and what it looks like in practice for health care systems. Panelists will also provide concrete ideas about the kinds of activities health systems should be engaged in to advance health equity.

"Many health care organizations, including Spectrum Health Lakeland, are working hard to address the disproportionate impact COVID-19 has had on communities of color," said Lynn Todman, PhD, vice president of health equity, Spectrum Health Lakeland. "Despite everything that has occurred in the past year, I remain optimistic that, as a community, we can take meaningful and effective action toward equitable health care and health equity."

Pre-registration is required. The event will take place live via Zoom and subsequently be posted on Spectrum Health Lakeland and Community Grand Rounds Facebook pages and YouTube channels. To register, visit spectrumhealthlakeland.org/cgr or search "Community Grands Rounds" on Facebook.