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SEX IN THE CITY: STRATEGIES FOR SAFER BEHAVIORS FOR AT-RISK YOUTH
On March 18, 2015, Dr. Goulda Downer of Howard University College of Medicine discussed her research on risk behaviors of youth relating to HIV/STD prevention. Dr. Downer was joined by representatives from the Mautner Project and Metro TeenAIDS of Whitman Walker Health for a panel discussion about the availability, accessibility, and acceptability of sexual health services in the District of Columbia. Many young people engage in risky sexual behaviors. These actions can result in harmful health outcomes. Sexual risk behaviors can place youth at risk of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as well as unintended pregnancy. While anyone can become infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD), research validates that young people, and in particular gay and bisexual men are at greatest risk for HIV. Environmental, social and cultural factors contribute to disparities in sexual health. Through research we are learning about the most successful individual, group, and community approaches for STD/HIV prevention.
Dr. Goulda Downer
Goulda Angella Downer, PhD, RD, LN, CNS, FAND is an Assistant Professor in the College of Medicine at Howard University. Dr. Downer at the helm of the former HRSA-funded, National Minority AIDS Education and Training Center (NMAETC), and AIDS Education and Training Center-National Multicultural Center (AETC-NMC) now currently heads the Howard University Capital Region AETC Telehealth Training Center (HU-CRTP). Under her leadership, Howard University has been recognized locally, regionally and nationally for strengthening the nation’s HIV clinical workforce within racial, ethnic minority and most vulnerable communities and thus reducing HIV disparity.
She is an alum of Pratt Institute (BS); Howard University -MS and PhD degrees. She gained her postdoctoral fellowship in Pediatric Nutrition at Georgetown University and was also educated in Nutritional Epidemiology by the Johns Hopkins University. She was inducted as a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in 2014.
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HONEYBUNS & GREENS: CHILDHOOD OBESITY AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT
On January 28, 2015, Adrienne Corder from Corder Pounder Youth Fitness Program discussed the importance of understanding and addressing childhood obesity.
Fast food. Reduced physical activity. Dilapidated playgrounds. Toxic stress. It is no surprise that our kids are heavier, slower, and more challenged by obesity and related chronic conditions than ever before. Obesity is a complex condition for anyone, but for young people it can be especially difficult given issues of stigma, bullying, and self esteem. Obesity does not have one cause or consequence. It is a factor of our genetics, environment, behaviors, and family norms, and is at the root of several serious health conditions, including diabetes and heart disease. In Washington, DC, more than a third of our children are overweight or obese.
Adrienne Corder
Corder – a community advocate, health guru, geneticist and founder of Corder Pounder Youth Fitness Program – discussed the importance of understanding and addressing childhood obesity from multiple perspectives. Adrienne also discussed current research initiatives related to obesity and the role young people can play in this research. Additionally, we had opportunity to hear from area youth as they shared their experiences of overcoming stigma and setbacks on their journey toward personal change.
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SLEEP, STRESS, AND HEALTH
On November 12, 2014, Dr. Thomas Mellman from Howard University joined us to discuss how stress impacts sleep and how sleep impacts health.
Many people have a sense that sleep is important for physical and mental well-being. Recent research validates this notion and informs us how sleep influences metabolism, immune function, and brain activity. Stress is one of many things that can compromise sleep. There are many kinds of stress. A research group at Howard University has focused on how both traumatic stress (such as is encountered during military deployments) and neighborhood stress (such as community violence) can affect sleep and overall health.
At the November 2014 Café, researchers and DC residents discussed the critical role of stress on sleep and how sleep impacts health. In addition to Dr. Mellman, community residents spoke out on the impact of stress on their sleep. Researchers and advocates also discussed ways to build resilience to the effects of traumatic and neighborhood stress on sleep.
Dr. Thomas Mellman
Thomas A. Mellman, MD, is Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Center for Clinical and Translational Research and Stress/Sleep Studies Program at Howard University College of Medicine. He is the principal investigator representing Howard for the Georgetown Howard Universities Center for Clinical and Translational Science supported by a Clinical Translational Science Award from NIH. He received training at the NIMH Division of Intramural Research Programs and has previously held faculty appointments and achieved the rank of Professor at the University of Miami and Dartmouth.
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SICKLE CELL DISEASE (PART 2) - PAINFUL AND PREVALENT IN DC
On Tuesday, July 22, 2014 Dr. Susan Perrine from Howard University led our Science Café discussion pertaining to sickle cell disease (SCD) with a focus on adults living with SCD. SCD is a hereditary blood disorder that is painful and prevalent in DC. This Café served as a follow-up to an earlier SCD Café from earlier this year that focused on pediatric care for SCD.
Dr. Perrine-Faller was joined by adults sharing their experience living with SCD as well as other scientists working in the SCD research space.
This was a great opportunity for community members to learn more about helping advance care, research, and support for people living with sickle cell disease.
Dr. Susan Perrine-Faller
Dr. Susan Perrine specializes in translating bench discoveries into clinical therapeutics for neglected and serious diseases. She has developed first-in-man therapies and improved generations of therapeutics, liaising with medicinal and physical chemistry, formulation, toxicology, and regulatory experts. As Chief Scientific Officer, VP Clinical Affairs of HemaQuest Pharmaceuticals, she directed international clinical trials, working with specialty clinical researchers in 7 countries. Dr. Perrine is also Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics, Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics at Boston University Cancer Research Center. Her medical and specialty training were from Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, Harvard School of Public Health, Children’s Hospital Boston, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Harvard Medical School.
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SICKLE CELL DISEASE (PART 1) - PAINFUL AND PREVALENT IN DC
On January 14, 2014, Dr. Allistair Abraham discussed sickle cell disease from his experience performing bone marrow transplants - the only known cure for sickle cell disease - at Children’s National. Sickle cell disease is a hereditary
blood disorder that is painful and prevalent in DC. This discussion allowed attendees to learn what they can do to help advance care, research, and support for people living with sickle cell disease.
Dr. Allistair Abraham
Allistair Abraham, MD is a practicing Pediatrician in Washington, DC. Dr. Abraham graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine in 2005 and has been in practice for 13 years. Dr. Abraham also specializes in Pediatric Hematology-Oncology.
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CHANGING THE CONVERSATION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH
On Tuesday, November 12th, 2013, we hosted a conversation with Dr. Lisa Cullins as she discussed mental health from her experience as a pediatric psychiatrist at Children’s National Medical Center. We also enjoyed a special musical performance by artist, educator and activist Ayanna Gregory.
Dr. Lisa Cullins
Lisa M. Cullins, MD is the Training Director for the Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program and the Director of Outpatient Psychiatry at Children’s National Medical Center. Dr. Cullins is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Behavioral Sciences and Pediatrics at George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, DC. Dr. Cullins completed her Adult Psychiatry Residency at UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute in Los Angeles, CA and her Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City, NY. Dr. Cullins has devoted most of her career to training and education, community psychiatry and systems of care, in particular, working with children and adolescents in the child welfare system and other underserved populations. Dr. Cullins has had the privilege to be a physician leader and clinician educator in multiple treatment settings ranging from academic, tertiary care hospital facilities to one of the largest child community mental health providers in the State of California (Corporate Medical Director, EMQ Families First Children & Family Services). Throughout her career, Dr. Cullins has been a staunch advocate for quality and access to care for children and families and has been an active participant in American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) as current Co-Chair of the Diversity and Culture Committee, past Co-Chair of the Workforce Committee, past Adoption and Foster Care Committee Member, past Secretary of Regional Organization, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Society of Greater Washington (CAPSGW) and current Delegate of Regional Organization, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Society of Greater Washington (CAPSGW) to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) Assembly. Dr. Cullins is currently the Child Caucus Chair of the American Association of Directors of Psychiatry Residency Training (AADPRT). Most recently, prior to Dr. Cullins’ current position at Children’s National Medical Center, she was the Director of Psychiatric Services at the Jewish Social Services Agency (9/2011-5/2013). From May 2009 through June 2012 she was the Training Director, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program, Georgetown University/Adventist Behavioral Health and Division Director of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Adventist Behavioral Health.
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BREATHE EASY! LET'S TALK ASTHMA!
On Thursday, May 23, 2013 Dr. Stephen Teach, MD, MPH led a lively discussion on asthma from his frontline experience as a pediatric emergency room doctor and researcher for two decades. This was a wonderful opportunity to mingle with medical researchers, social scientists, and community leaders who are thinking big about transforming health in DC.
Dr. Stephen Teach
Stephen J. Teach, MD, MPH, is the Associate Dean for Pediatric Academic Affairs and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences; and Director and Principal Investigator of IMPACT DC (Improving Pediatric Asthma Care in the District of Columbia), a care, research, and advocacy program focused on under-resourced and largely minority children with asthma. Dr. Teach also serves as the Washington, DC, site Principal Investigator for the NIH/NIAID-funded Inner City Asthma Consortium.
Dr. Teach’s primary academic focus is on the disparities evident in the care of inner-city children with asthma, including their over-reliance on urban emergency departments for episodic asthma care. In addition to his work with IMPACT DC (Improving Pediatric Asthma Care in the District of Columbia), Dr. Teach serves as the Washington, DC site Principal Investigator for the NIAID funded Inner City Asthma Consortium.
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