Williams-Page Moderates B.PHL Innovation Fest Panel
How Social Determinants Impact Health & Achieving Health Equity
September 19, 2022“How can we elevate the conversation around social determinants of health?,” asked
Barbara Williams-Page, DO, associate professor, Family Medicine, medical director at Philadelphia College of
Osteopathic Medicine’s (PCOM) Cambria Division Healthcare Center at the B.PHL Innovation Fest.
Dr. Williams-Page moderated a panel discussion with other health professionals titled,
“Treating the Whole Person: How Social Determinants Impact Health & Achieving Health
Equity.” The session was coordinated by the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia
as part of the B.PHL Innovation Fest, an annual, multi-day event with people and organizations doing innovative work around
the city.
Joining Dr. Williams-Page on the panel was Gladys Antelo-Allen, LPN, senior program
manager, Field Building & Resources, Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers; Frank
Franklin, PhD, JD, MPH, deputy health commissioner for the City of Philadelphia Department
of Public Health; Sophia Ononye-Onyia, PhD, MPH, MBA, NACD.DC, founder and CEO of
the Sophia Consulting Firm; and Seun O. Ross, PhD, executive director of health equity
at Independence Blue Cross.
The speakers discussed a range of topics under the umbrella of health equity, including
the need for providers to interact and engage with the communities they serve to better
understand and treat their patients. At PCOM, the Lancaster Division of the PCOM Healthcare
Centers recently hosted a Community Day to offer health screenings, backpack giveaways, food demos, free haircuts, and free
food, among other things, to build relationships in the community and convey the need
for continued contact with the people living in the surrounding neighborhood. The
PCOM Healthcare Centers will host a similar event at the Cambria Division on October 20.
The panel concluded with a Q&A portion with both panelists and attendees interested
in expanding the health equity conversation in the city and beyond. PCOM has and continues
to be actively involved through city-wide, private/public partnership programs like
Accelerate Health Equity, an initiative to produce tangible improvement in health inequities, and ultimately
achieve measurable, positive changes in health outcomes in Philadelphia.
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About Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Founded in 1899, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has trained thousands
of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists
who practice a “whole person” approach to care—treating people, not just symptoms.
PCOM operates three campuses (PCOM, PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic
medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy and school psychology, and graduate degrees in
applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic
medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, non profit leadership
and population health management, organizational development and leadership, physician
assistant studies, school psychology, and public health management and administration.
PCOM students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service
to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, PCOM provides care
to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
For more information, contact:
Daniel McCunney
Associate Director, News and Media Relations
Email: danielmc1@pcom.edu
Office: 215-871-6304 | Cell:
267-449-1360