MaryAnn Black Distinguished Health Equity Symposium 2024

The Duke Cancer Institute Community Outreach, Engagement, and Equity (COEE) program - with the support of Duke Health Community Health, the Duke University School of Medicine Department of Population Health Sciences, the Duke University School of Medicine Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and the Duke Clinical & Translational Science Institute - is hosting the second annual MaryAnn Black Distinguished Health Equity Symposium in honor of the late MaryAnn Black.

Ms. Black was a powerful advocate for health equity on behalf of Duke University, the Duke University Health System, and Duke Cancer Institute, in her role as associate vice president for Community Relations for the Duke University Health System. She mentored and supported numerous individuals across Duke who are today's leaders in advancing community engagement and health equity, and she personified institutional pride. Her work on behalf of Duke with Durham and surrounding communities, and her years of service with the Durham County Board of Commissioners and the North Carolina State Legislature, the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, and Durham schools, community agencies, and civic organizations, is a shared legacy and inspirational roadmap for Duke's commitment to excellence in advancing health equity over the next century.

Ms. Black, who also served for 30 years as a clinical social worker, transcended silos by collaborating with anyone, anywhere, to find solutions to meet the needs of our community. The symposium brings together Duke and community leaders committed to health equity -- reinforcing Duke's longstanding history of working collaboratively with communities in our backyard to understand and address the root causes of health disparities.

Featuring opening remarks by Duke School of Medicine Dean Mary E. Klotman, MD; a keynote by distinguished public health and human rights researcher Mary T. Bassett, MD, MPH (Harvard University); a youth, policy, and community health poster session and awards ceremony; and a dynamic panel with local policymakers, faith leaders, and advocates; the event will be held at the Durham Convention Center this year in honor of Ms. Black's boots-on-the-ground, 'meet people where they are' approach.

This event is free and open to the public.