Dialogue: Disparities

Health care disparities has been a challenging issue to tackle but addressing these disparities is vital. It not only affects the group facing disparities but the overall gains in quality of care. We invited two advocates, a colon cancer survivor, and cancer researcher to share their concerns and ideas on reducing disparities.

Candace Henley is a colorectal cancer survivor and founder of The Blue Hat Foundation. In 2019, Candace was recognized as one of 20 Most Inspiring Chicagoans who make the city a better place to live and work. The Blue Hat Foundation raises awareness about the colon cancer signs, as well as shares stories of personal experience, through speeches, podcasts, articles and community partnerships. You can follow The Blue Hat Foundation on Twitter.

Russell J. Ledet, PhD is a second-year MD-MBA student at Tulane University School of Medicine and A.B. Freeman School of Business. He is the president and manager of 15 White Coats, a group of Black medical students from Tulane University that formed in 2019 on the heels of a visit to Whitney Plantation in Edgard, Louisiana.