RiseHealth Compass

On March 6th, the doors the inaugural RiseHealth Compass Conference opened in honor of Betty Rice. Thank you to our incredible speakers, students, community members, and guests. Our experts discussed bridging gaps in healthcare by adopting intersectional strategies that will enable health organizations to address patient needs comprehensively. Thank you Karla Estudillo Fuentes, MPH, Janet Akande-Dokun, PhD, Tara Douglas-Williams, MSLS, AHIP-D, and Felicia Tittle, Ed.D for the excellent insights that each of you shared with our attendees. In addition to our focus on transforming optimal health outcomes for underrepresented communities, particularly women at every life stage, through innovative technology…it was critical for us to discuss innovative solutions. Our team would like to thank Oxford College of Emory University for being the venue sponsor. We would also like to thank Oxford for the opportunity to share this day with medical pathway students. A huge thanks to Dean Badia Ahad and Associate Dean Bridgette Gunnels. Thank you again to everyone who made this day a success. #risehealthcompassconference #risehealth2025 #bettyricelegacy #healthcare #access #tech

We are less than one week away from the inaugural RiseHealth Compass Conference (RHCC). Our team is so incredibly grateful for Bridgette Gunnels who opened the door for this opportunity to bring RHCC to twenty amazing students on the medical pathway. Bridgette Gunnels (PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) is a published scholar in Latin American literature from the twentieth century, in all forms, with special emphasis in the short story. Dr. Gunnels possesses a deep preparation in Latin American history, especially Latin American identity, economic and environmental histories, and diaspora studies.??Gunnels has directed students in Cuba, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Spain through undergraduate research and study abroad. Since March, 2024, Gunnels has served as Associate Dean and Director of the Oxford College of Emory University Center for Pathways and Purpose. The center unites the offices of?Career and Professional Development,?Experiential Learning,?Global Oxford, and the?Impact Lab, which is a unique space in higher education that unites industry professionals with students each semester for sustained contact. It is an honor to hear opening remarks from Associate Dean Gunnels and to work with twenty dynamic future leaders in the medical field. The doors officially open on March 6th at 9 AM. You can learn additional details by following the link in the comments. #risehealthcompass2025 #publichealth #healthcare #centersforpathwaysandpurpose #medicalpathway

The dynamic speakers joining us at the inaugural RiseHealth Compass Conference continue. We are excited to announce that Karla Estudillo Fuentes, MPH will be joining us on March 6th at Oxford College of Emory University as a featured speaker. Karla earned her MPH in Global Health from Loma Linda University's School of Public Health and her B.A. from UCLA in International Development Studies with a double minor in Latin American Studies and Anthropology. She aims to address health issues through a collaborative approach with communities and partners; working together to ensure equity and reciprocal learning. She is currently part of the Human Engagement Learning Platform (HELP) for Global Health at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. Her team’s work focuses on organizational learning and brokered design to integrate community knowledge into programmatic improvements. She’s currently working with the Ministry of Health in the Dominican Republic towards malaria elimination on the island. In 2024, she completed a Global Health fellowship with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention focusing on Global Health Equity and the evaluation of COVID response in global settings. Her global experience includes collaborative work in Colombia, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Ecuador, Uganda, Tanzania, and Malawi alongside partners such as Loma Linda University, the Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA), local partners, and Ministries of Health. Her health outlook focuses on community engagement, leadership, and collaboration to ensure reciprocity in community-based public health interventions. Karla is a community-grounded public health professional and has directed programs across state, regional, and community stakeholders in Southern California where she was previously the Program Director for the Community-Academic Partners in Service (CAPS) program at Loma Linda University. There she led community efforts to improve COVID-19 vaccination rates among underrepresented Black and Latine communities as well as programs focused on food justice, educational pipelines, NCDs, and more. She was also the Service-Learning Coordinator and a Teaching Assistant in the Global Health Department’s course on Integrated Community Development and helped jumpstart the Global Health curriculum for the Pacific Union College and Loma Linda University’s pilot 4-in-1 Bachelor and Master’s program in Global Health. Karla is also the Member Outreach Strategist for Llapanchik Hampinakuy LLC, a directory for First Nations, Native, and Indigenous healers to amplify their offerings and engage in traditional medicine and wellness. Karla is the proud daughter of immigrants from Mexico and is currently re-learning her family’s Indigenous tongue (Nahuatl). Register today using the link in comments. #RiseHealth2025 #globalhealth #patient #Monicaforhopeanddemocracy #hopeforAmericans

We are excited to open the doors to the inaugural RiseHealth Compass hosted by our CEO, Monica McCoy, at Oxford College of Emory University on March 6th at 9 AM ET. Our team looks forward to welcoming Janet Akande-Dokun, PhD as a featured speaker. Dr. Janet Akande-Dokun is a pharmaceutical scientist and entrepreneur with over 25 years of expertise in drug discovery and development. A visionary in pharmaceutical innovation, she has pioneered advancements across diverse drug delivery systems, including oral, ocular, pulmonary, transdermal, and controlled-release delivery systems. Her work has led to multiple patents and publications in top scientific journals. As co-founder of Moremmé, a female-led therapeutics company redefining feminine health, Dr. Akande-Dokun, alongside her team, is at the forefront of developing groundbreaking solutions for feminine wellness. Under her leadership, Moremmé is rapidly expanding its impact and is set to launch key products for feminine care. In 2024, the company achieved major milestones, including becoming backed by NIH and awarded funding to drive its innovative research and development activities. Dr. Akande-Dokun's dedication to women's health centers on discovering solutions that address the unmet needs in feminine care, particularly around menopause and recurrent urinary tract infections, by bringing forward science-backed solutions. With her PhD in Pharmaceutics, she remains a powerful advocate for research that truly empowers women to manage their own well-being. It's a joy and honor to have the co-founder of Moremmé join us as we revolutionize healthcare and create a future where every individual receives the support they deserve. Registration details can be found in the link in comments. #risehealthcompass #RiseHealth2025 #moremme #healthcare #pharma #patient #womenshealth #Monicaforhopeanddemocracy #hopeforAmericans

The RiseHealth Compass Inaugural Conference will be held on March 6, 2025 at 9 AM. We are honored to announce that Felicia Tittle, Ed.D will be a featured speaker for our upcoming conference. Dr. Felicia Tittle is the Executive Director of Recreation and Physical Education in Duke University Athletics, where she leads a comprehensive portfolio of programs, including aquatics, group fitness, outdoor adventure, intramurals, physical education, personal training, recreation facilities, and sport clubs. Serving over 50,000 individuals across Duke University and the Health System, her visionary leadership ensures that places, spaces, and programs under her purview are inclusive, welcoming, and reflective of cultural understanding—empowering individuals to find their fit and live their best lives. Her deep engagement with the Duke community made her the ideal choice to lead one of the Healthy Duke initiative’s five core areas, Physical Activity and Movement. In this role, she has been instrumental in creating an environment that encourages movement and wellness among students, faculty, and staff. Beyond this, she spearheaded 'Making the Connection', a transformative health and wellness initiative focused on supporting frontline dining and housekeeping staff...ensuring they have access to Duke’s vast resources for personal and professional growth. Her journey has been defined by resilience and unwavering determination, shaped by lessons in patience, empathy, and discipline from her time in the criminal justice field—skills she believes are invaluable for any leader. Felicia joined Duke University in April 2009, following her tenure as Director of Campus Recreation at Florida Gulf Coast University. Her extensive experience in higher education includes roles at North Carolina Wesleyan College, East Carolina University, and Saint Augustine’s University. A longtime North Carolina resident, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation from Winston-Salem State University, a Master’s degree from East Carolina University, and a Doctorate in Education from Northeastern University. Felicia Tittle is more than a leader—she is a mentor, educator, life coach, and community caretaker. On behalf of our CEO, Monica McCoy, we are so incredibly honored to welcome Felicia as a featured speaker on March 6th as we dive into the future of healthcare. It's a joy to have our student leaders, community members, and public health leaders join us as we transform the landscape of healthcare delivery, making a tangible difference in communities and drive positive change on a global scale. Register today using the link in comments. #RiseHealth2025 #healthcare #patient #provider #policy #payer #phycisian #Monicaforhopeanddemocracy #hopeforAmericans

On behalf of our CEO, Monica McCoy, we are excited to introduce our speakers for the inaugural RiseHealth Compass Conference being held on March 6th at 9 AM at Oxford College of Emory University. We are thrilled to introduce featured speaker, Tara Douglas-Williams, MSLS, AHIP-D, who will be sharing her expertise with our attendees. Ms. Douglas-Williams has served as the Associate Director of the Emory University Woodruff Health Sciences Center Library in Atlanta, GA since 2021. In this role, she oversees clinical and access services, as well as assessment, programming, marketing, and communications. With a rich background in information science, librarianship, and medical research, Tara is recognized as an innovative knowledge strategist and inspirational leader. She is known for her ability to drive change, make conscientious decisions, and serve as a coach and mentor to others. Tara's career spans various leadership positions in academic, hospital, and health sciences libraries. Notably, she previously held roles as Library Manager for Information Services at Morehouse School of Medicine and Library Manager at Atlanta Medical Center. Tara holds a master’s degree in library science from Clark Atlanta University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology/Natural Sciences from Spelman College. She is also a graduate of prestigious leadership programs, including Emory’s Emerging Leaders program, the Essential Management Skills for Emerging Leaders program at Harvard University, and the ASSOCIATION OF ACADEMIC HEALTH SCIENCES LIBRARIES/National Library of Medicine Leadership Fellowship Program. Passionate about addressing health disparities and promoting health equity, Tara is dedicated to empowering communities through health literacy and information outreach programs. She is actively involved in professional associations, currently serving on the Medical Library Association’s Board of Directors. Tara's commitment to advancing the field is further demonstrated by her past involvement with the Biomedical Informatics, Library, and Data Science (BILDS) Review Committee for the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and her current co-chair position on the Strategic Planning Task Force for Emory Libraries.? Additionally, Tara is a distinguished member of the Academy of Health Information Professionals (AHIP). It's a joy to have our student leaders, community members, and public health leaders join us as we transform the landscape of healthcare delivery, making a tangible difference in communities and drive positive change on a global scale. Register today using the link in comments. #RiseHealth2025 #healthcare #patient #provider #policy #payer #physician #Monicaforhopeanddemocracy #hopeforAmericans

The statistics on health inequity among marginalized communities are as stark and persistent as gaps in education, earnings and access to funding. They grow from the same tree — longstanding structural and systemic inequities rooted in racism and discrimination. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) defines health disparities as, “preventable differences in the burden, disease, injury, violence, or in opportunities to achieve optimal health experienced by socially disadvantaged racial, ethnic, and other population groups and communities.” These disparities can be due to less access to care, quality of care, affordability and differences in health insurance coverage. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that, in addition to being driven by race and ethnicity, health disparities also occur across socioeconomic status, age, geography, language, gender, disability status, citizenship status and sexual identity and orientation. Black people are 30% more likely to die from heart disease than white peers. Hispanic women are 40% more likely to have cervical cancer and 30% more likely to die from it than white women. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community are less likely to have health insurance, more likely to delay care and more likely to report unfair treatment by providers. People from marginalized populations also have less access to mental health services and experience daily stresses due to economic disparities and the impact of discrimination itself. The ethical case for health equity is self-evident; everyone deserves the right to live their best and healthiest life. The business case is strong too. Deloitte consulting estimates that, “Inequities in the U.S. health system cost approximately $320 billion today and could eclipse $1 trillion in annual spending by 2040 if left unaddressed.” Health inequities can lead employees to miss work more often or be less productive at work. Health disparities also contribute to $93 billion in excess medical costs due to chronic diseases and a lack of preventive care. In addition to continuing to invest in DEI initiatives, business leaders and employers of all sizes can help address health equity now. At RiseHealth Compass, we see addressing health equity as another piece of the puzzle to close the opportunity gap and drive economic inclusion for everyone. Registration for our inaugural RiseHealth Compass Conference officially opens today. Follow the link in comments to register today. #RiseHealthCompass #HealthcareEquity #HealthcareInnovation #bettyricelegacy #RiseHealth2025

The Payers, including health insurance companies, businesses, organizations, and individuals, play a pivotal role in financing and facilitating access to healthcare services. However, disparities in insurance coverage, affordability, and reimbursement practices perpetuate healthcare access and outcomes inequities. Let's delve into the complexities of payer disparities and their impact on diverse patient populations, focusing on underrepresented groups and women. Access to adequate health insurance coverage remains a significant determinant of healthcare access and utilization. According to recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, racial and ethnic minorities, low-income individuals, and undocumented immigrants are more likely to be uninsured or underinsured compared to their white counterparts, leading to barriers in accessing essential healthcare services, preventative care, and chronic disease management. Disparities in healthcare affordability contribute to inequities in access to necessary medical treatments and services. A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that individuals from low-income households and underrepresented communities continue to face financial barriers, such as high deductibles, copayments, and out-of-pocket expenses, which deter them from seeking timely healthcare services and adhering to recommended treatment plans. #payer #healthinsurance #healthequity #healthcare #risehealthcompass #hopeforAmericans

In the intricate tapestry of the healthcare ecosystem, six pivotal players stand at the forefront, shaping its dynamics and outcomes. These entities collectively known as the 6 P's - Patients, Providers, Payers, Pharmaceutical Companies, Pharmacies, and Policymakers - each hold a distinct role yet are interconnected. However, within this interconnected web lies a stark reality of inequities, disproportionately impacting various facets of healthcare access, delivery, and outcomes. Disparities in access to care, driven by factors such as socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, and geographical location, perpetuate unequal health outcomes among populations. By fostering collaboration, advocating for policy reforms and prioritizing health equity in decision-making processes, we can strive towards a more just and inclusive healthcare system where everyone can attain their highest level of health and well-being. #RiseHealthCompass #healthcare #healthequity #policy #hopeforAmericans

Happy Thanksgiving from the RiseHealth Compass team! High blood pressure continues to be a serious concern in the United States. Over 100 million Americans - nearly ? of all adults - are living with high blood pressure. This puts them at high risk for heart attack and stroke. Our team at RiseHealth Compass encourages you to know your numbers from a healthy living perspective. Our CEO and Founder, Monica McCoy, encourages you to take action by taking a moment to check your blood pressure over the holiday. It could save your life. #knowyournumbers #healthequity #bettyricelegacy #risehealthcompass #hearthealth