Past Events

David Ansell, MD, MPH,
How Inequality Kills: Health Systems and Health Equity

Additional Resources:

• Complete Presentation: How Inequality Kills — Health Systems and Health Equity 
• More Information on David Ansell, MD, MPH
• David Ansell, MD, MPH Exposes Inequality's Deadly Influence

Bechara Choucair, MD

Bechara Choucair, MD 
Advancing Health? It's About the Mind, Body, and Community

Dr. Choucair shares how his organization is working to improve conditions for health and equity by building communities that have stable affordable housing, meaningful work that pays a living wage, successful schools, clean air and water, nourishing foods in neighborhood stores, and safe places to exercise and play.

Click here to watch Norma Tirado, Senior Vice President Human Resources & Corporate Services, interview Bechara Choucair, MD about his how his organization is working to improve conditions for health and equity.

Additional Resources:

• Complete Presentation: Advancing Health? It's About the Mind, Body, and Community
• More Information on Bechara Choucair, MD
  

Debby Irving

Debby explored how her beliefs influenced her interpretation of the world through U.S. history, media messages, and cultural habits. She explored how she spent decades silently reaffirming harmful, outdated racial patterns instead of questioning the racial disparities and tensions she could see and feel.

Additional Resources:

• More information on Debby Irving 
  

Arline Geronimus

Professor at the University of Michigan School of Public Health and Institute for Social Research and member of the National Academy of Medicine, Dr. Geronimus originated the concept of "weathering" to explain her observation that African American women’s health declines in early adulthood as a result of their cumulative exposure to socioeconomic disadvantage. This concept is now widely seen as critical to understanding the sources and mechanisms of racial and ethnic health inequity.

Additional Resources:

• Complete Presentation: Weathering and Health Inequity
• More information on Arline Geronimus

Faith and Mental Health: Honoring All Parts of You

This seminar examines how faith and mental health can work hand in hand as individuals and communities work towards place of healing, growth, and hope.  Join us as we discuss how you can have your faith and a therapist too!

Dr. Bernice Patterson is the CEO and founder of Infinity Consultation Group, where she delivers interactive workshops and seminars on challenging topics such as issues of racism, cultural diversity and inclusion, anti-bias, and mental health and wellness. She holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology from Western Michigan University.

Patty Murray is the owner and founder of Caringworks Counseling Services and certified life coach.  She finds joy in serving women of faith and couples who struggle with feeling overwhelmed, anxious, worry and relationship issues.  She helps her clients gain self awareness into the challenges they are facing,  focus on solutions that will improve self-confidence, communication skills, and ways to cope and navigate life's obstacles effectively.  Her focus is to inspire hope and well being in the lives of those she service.

Creating Safe Spaces for African-American Men: Exploring Manhood and Mental Health

A discussion on the unique experiences of African-American men and maintaining mental health . This session examines how we begin to reduce stigma, increase conversation, and build generational health.

Samuel Jones is an avid community engager. From therapizing in marginalized communities to coaching high school football and shepherding at West Michigan's largest church, he enjoys seeing people reach their goals and find their place of healing. Samuel holds a Master of Arts in Counseling degree from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. 

David Thomas has a special interest in the health of the African-American family with particular goals of creating safe spaces for African-American males across the lifespan. His social experiences within family, religion, community, military, law enforcement, and education have informed his work in mental health. David has a BA in Criminal Justice from the University of Toledo and a MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Spring Arbor University. He is founder and co-owner of Insight Associates LLC which is designed for mental health counseling, consulting, and training. David contracts as a clinical mental health professional and serves African-American males with a goal of thwarting the impact of systematic oppression and increasing resiliency.