Clark State Community College and Community Mercy Health Partners will host a dinner event in honor of Black History Month at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, February 23 at the Hollenbeck Bayley Creative Arts and Conference Center in downtown Springfield.
“Health in the Black Community” will address health-related issues with a panel of experts and replace Clark State’s annual Black History Month “Soul Food” event.
Corey Holliday, director of community outreach for Clark State, said Clark State and Community Mercy Health Partners (CMHP) have both had successful Black History Month events for the past several years. “Clark State is very focused on health for the college and the community, so a collaboration with CMHP seems to be a natural progression,” he said. “We are excited about our collaboration to benefit the Springfield community.”
Carolyn Young, marketing manager for Community Mercy Health Partners, said the committee who planned this event encompasses representatives from both organizations and the local community. “This is just one way to emphasize community collaboration and partnership while also speaking to and addressing the needs of our community as we celebrate Black History Month,” she said.
The theme of the event is “Health in the Black Community” and will feature a panel of local minority health experts. Panelists include: Dr. Tedros Andom, a general surgeon in Springfield; Dr. Shirelle Applin, primary care physician at the Health Resource Center in Springfield, part of Springfield Regional Medical Group; Dr. Richard Gordon, family medicine specialist with Family Practice Associates in Springfield; and Dr. Denise Rodney, primary care physician at South Springfield Family Medicine, part of Springfield Regional Medical Group.
“We will talk about health in the African American community, and attendees will have opportunities to ask the panelists specific questions,” said Young. “Our organizations – Clark State and Community Mercy Health Partners – want to do our part to make our community a healthier place and meet the needs of our friends and residents.”
A limited number of tickets for the “Health in the Black Community” event are available and free of charge, but must be reserved in advance by contacting Tracy Yates at (937) 328-6066 or yatest@clarkstate.edu.