2024 CONFERENCE
The 3rd Annual Diversity in Healthcare Conference
Held on March 17, 2024 at the Pennsylvania State University focused on exploring vaccine disparities. The intersection of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the healthcare system helps promoting strategies for improving healthcare access and outcomes for underrepresented groups.
VACCINE DISPARITIES: CONFERENCE THEMES
Social Determinants of Health
Social Determinants of Health: Racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare access, including limited facilities in underserved areas, impact vaccine distribution. Addressing social determinants of health, such as housing and education, is crucial for ensuring equitable vaccine access and reducing health disparities.
Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities
Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities: Historical injustices and higher disease rates in certain racial groups have led to mistrust in healthcare and vaccines. In response, initiatives led by these communities are working to rebuild trust and promote vaccination through culturally tailored education and outreach.
Workforce Diversity
The conference explored the importance of diversifying the healthcare workforce to better reflect the populations being served. Trust and shared background between patient and provider can increase vaccine acceptance, as patients are more likely to follow advice when they feel understood and respected.
Policy and Advocacy
Panel and participants discussed the role of community leaders, political figures, and organizations in shaping public opinion on vaccines. Vaccine hesitancy continues to be a polarizing issue in many communities. These leaders have significant influence over public health decisions, often shaping the dialogue surrounding vaccination, either promoting or undermining trust in vaccines.
Through case studies and speakers, participants had the opportunity to discuss about vaccine development, usage, distribution, and access centered around the conference’s core 8 themes:
Health Equity and Access
Rural areas face challenges in accessing vaccines due to limited healthcare facilities, though pop-up clinics can help. Hesitancy is fueled by the belief that only serious health issues require attention, and political views against government mandates can further discourage vaccination. Elderly vaccine access is also crucial, but concerns about side effects and health conditions can affect vaccination rates and eligibility.
Cultural Competency in Healthcare
Cultural and ethnic beliefs can impact vaccine acceptance, so it's essential for healthcare providers to be culturally competent. Understanding and respecting these differences helps build trust and improves vaccine uptake in diverse communities.
Gender and Sexuality in Healthcare
Cultural and gender differences affect healthcare access, with women facing unique challenges like vaccinations during pregnancy and hormone therapy, which can raise bioethical concerns. Gender also influences treatment effectiveness and side effects, highlighting the need for tailored healthcare approaches.
Mental Health and Intersectionality
There were sessions focused on expanding access to mental health resources for underserved communities.
The conference promoted participants to gather what they have learned and come up with solutions surrounding vaccines. The winners of the solutioning phase for 2024 carried out their idea of a vaccine field day in their local State College community.
Thank you to our speakers this year as they shared their expertise and vision for advancing equity and inclusion in medicine!
OUR SPEAKERS
Ronika Alexander Parrish
R.N., MAED, ED, DrPH Candidate
Ronika Alexander-Parrish currently serves as Pfizer’s US Medical Director for Health Equity, Vaccines and Antivirals Policy Group. She promotes the integration of health equity science and anti-racism research principles and practices in biopharma evidence generation and dissemination. She is the founding Director of the Morgan State Doctor of Public Health Fellowship program.
Ronika has 15+ years of previous experience at Pfizer as a clinical scientist and health equity advocate as well as US Medical Director, Paxlovid. She has led matrixed teams in the design, implementation, analysis and dissemination of phase 4 vaccine epidemiology studies, and her team won Pfizer’s VacciNation award four times.
Before joining Pfizer, Inc. Ronika led clinical trials, investigator-initiated studies and community-based participatory research with Wayne State University. She also served as a public health nurse with the City of Detroit and Oakland County Health Departments in Michigan.
Angela Riemer
Vice President, Global Policy and Public Affairs at Pfizer
Angela Riemer is Pfizer’s Vice President of Federal Government Relations. A Princeton University graduate, Angela has a diverse background in health policy and government affairs. She began her career at Prudential Financial, eventually becoming a director in government affairs, and later served as Executive Director of the Congressional Black Caucus Political Action Committee (CBC PAC).
Angela transitioned to Medco Health Solutions, where she was a director in government affairs, before working as a marketing manager for City First Bank of D.C., a start-up community
development bank.
In addition to her professional roles, Angela is actively involved in her community. She is a member of The Links Incorporated (Silver Spring, MD chapter) and Jack and Jill of America, Inc. (Montgomery County, MD chapter), and serves on the Board of Directors for Silver Spring Town Center, Inc.
To all who made this possible...
Thank you to the participants from Penn State Greater Allegheny, Altoona, York, World Campus, Harrisburg, Abbington, University Park!
Thank you to the sponsors of the 2024 conference!
