Welcome Message from Dr. Hendry Ton

Hendry Ton, M.D., M.S.

Associate Vice Chancellor for Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion UC Davis Health Dear Colleagues,

Thank you for joining us for the 2021 Annual Black Physician’s Forum. This event would not be possible without the leadership and collaboration of Sac Cultural Hub, our wonderful partner of many years! This year, we focus on the impact of COVID-19 on Black communities. Due to the historical racism that contribute to the untrustworthiness of our health care system, the structural racism that disproportionately subjects Black communities to health and socioeconomic distress, and the barriers that prevent a disproportionate number of Black patients from receiving quality healthcare, we are seeing higher rates of COVID-19 infections and deaths. Similarly, these factors underlie the lower rates of vaccination amongst Black communities.

There is much that we need to do in our health and public health organizations to earn community trust and address these barriers. UC Davis Health is committed to this endeavor. We are working with Black leaders, churches, and community organizations to support COVID-19 vaccine clinics that speak specifically to the needs and experiences of our region’s Black communities. Even as we work to correct COVID-19 disparities, we are working beyond the pandemic through our DEI and Anti-Racism Action Plan. This includes educating doctors about the pitfalls of race-based practices that can exacerbate health inequities and correcting those practices at UC Davis, such as eliminating race-based eGFR ranges that limit access to higher levels of care for Black patients. We know that change takes collaborative effort and are also working with Sac Cultural Hub and other community partners. Clearly, much more must be done to correct the pandemic’s health inequities and beyond. This year’s forum deepens this work. Drs. Chris Pernell and Flojuane Cofer will lead us to critically examine the roots of COVID-19 inequities and strategies to address them. Thank you so much for your partnership and participation!

Yours in health and solidarity,

Hendry Ton, MD, MS Associate Vice Chancellor for Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Office for Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion UC Davis Health