Home2023-04-24T20:04:49+00:00

All questions related to the scholarship process should be emailed to Dr. Cordelia G. Harris (Cordie350@gmail.com)

Health Legacy of Cleveland Scholarship Awards for School Year 2022-2023:

Christopher King $ 3,500. Meharry College of Dentistry 4th Year (Renewal Scholarship)

Jennifer Ruffin $3,500. Ohio University Medical School 4th Year (Renewal Scholarship)

Rebekah Russell $2,000. Case Western Reserve School of Medicine 3rd Year (Renewal Scholarship

Jasmine Williams $1,000. Meharry Medical College 2nd Year (New Scholarship)

Total Awards= $10,000.

Spring Health Updates

Every April, the FDA Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (OMHHE) observes National Minority Health Month (NMHM) to raise awareness of the importance of improving the health of racial and ethnic minority populations and reducing health disparities.- Apr 7, 2023. https://www.fda.gov

By being more aware of the health and health care disparities that affect racial and ethnic minorities, one can improve their ability to assist and educate those who are more at risk. https://www.nimhd.nih.gov › nmhm

Some of the topics that address the improvement of minority health include the following:
Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week, National Pediatric Transplant Week, Pediatric Sepsis Week (a severe inflammatory response in the body of children that can cause tissue damage and organ failure) and National Infertility Awareness Week.
According to CDC other important health targets include: STD Awareness Month, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Sexual Assault Awareness Prevention Month, Sexual Violence, and Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month. https://www.cdc.gov 

April is also  National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

National Child Abuse Prevention Month recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect. https://www.childwelfare.gov › topics

CDC adds COVID vaccines to recommended schedule for adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) added the COVID-19 vaccines to its recommended vaccine schedule for adults and children. The updated schedule, published Feb. 10 in a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, also reflects changes in influenza vaccine recommendations. (READ MORE) Older adults should receive what’s often referred to as a high-dose flu shot. You can find the updated vaccine schedule for adults on the CDC’s website.

Bivalent boosters are effective against the latest circulating variants. T A new report from the CDC found that so-called bivalent boosters cut the risk of a symptomatic infection nearly in half in adults ages 18 to 49. The boosters were 40 percent effective against symptoms from a coronavirus infection among individuals 50 to 64 years old, and 43 percent effective among those 65 and older. Note- Bivalent vaccines available for kids as young as 6 months

Americans can still order free at-home COVID tests from the government.  covidtests.gov; shipping is also free. Read More

Greetings from President and Chair of Health Legacy of Cleveland Ohio Inc.

It is my pleasure to serve as the President and Chair of the Board of Directors of Health Legacy of Cleveland, Inc. This organization has played a pivotal role in highlighting health care disparities between the African American community and other communities in the United States and has also provided ongoing scholarship support to ensure that more minorities attend medical and dental schools so that the pipeline of minority physicians and dentists is secure.

We are in the process of expanding our mission to also become more activist in our approach to healthcare needs and disparities by connecting the medical expertise of our Board members to the ongoing health care challenges that are being experienced by the Black community during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. We invite your involvement, ideas and continuing support of our efforts. I look forward to working with you more in upcoming days ahead.

Sincerely Yours,

Dr. Bessie House-Soremekun
President and Chair, Board of Directors
Health Legacy of Cleveland

Meet the recipients of the Health Legacy of Cleveland Scholarship Awards for 2022-2023!

(Look for the 2023-2024 Medical and Dental Students’ Scholarship Application on this Website at the end of February 2023)

Featuring Jasmine Williams

Jasmine Williams currently is a 2nd year Medical Student at Meharry College. She is known for her strong leadership skills, professionalism, innovation and impeccable judgement. Being inquisitive and forward thinking, Jasmine is passionate about scientific discovery. These traits have served her well as a volunteer at the Cleveland Clinic Children Hospital. As a volunteer, Jasmine promoted health for children in her community and is committed to guiding health equity in marginalized communities. With Jasmine’s intellect, motivation, independence and innovation her teachers/mentors are confident that she will contribute to the mission of Health Legacy of Cleveland, Ohio Inc.

Jasmine shared that it was her own pediatrician that attracted her to the field of Medicine. Shadowing experiences and educational opportunities further strengthened her desire to become a physician. Also, her own family did not have access to major health/medical facilities in Twinsburg, Ohio.

Jasmine has held positions as a Medical Scribe, Patient Access Representative, Emergency Medical Technician and has served in the role of Patient Assistant. She is focused on serving the underserved populations in Northeast Ohio. She wants to work towards increasing minority physicians in Northeast Ohio. Also, Jasmine desires to assist with increasing preventative measures, with her goal being to improve health equity in the Greater Cleveland area and beyond.

Due to the pandemic, Jasmine stated that her first year of medical school was completely virtual. This challenge impacted her ability to explore various specialties through shadowing. Also, Jasmine focused on how the important connections with her classmates were limited as well.

Previously Featured Health Legacy of Cleveland Scholarship Recipients

Health Legacy Of Cleveland Scholarship Recipient Rebekah Russell Shares Her Journey On Becoming A Doctor During The Pandemic And How She Got Started With This Dream

I began my pursuit of medicine before the beginning of the 2019 pandemic, however the pandemic changed my experience during my first year of medical school. My first year of medical school was completely virtual which impacted my ability to explore various specialities through shadowing and my ability to make connections with classmates. Despite that experience, the pandemic reinforced the disparities faced by minority populations across the world. I became more empowered to focus my career on addressing the social and health inequity as a result of the pandemic. I have always wanted to be a physician and have never lost my interest despite facing obstacles. I think my initial interest came from my pediatrician who really demonstrated the importance of building relationships with your patients. Even though I was a child, I could feel that she was trustworthy and someone who would take care of me. My interest in medicine was further developed when I completed my 7th grade Body's System Project and could not stop talking about the brain [...]

May 27th, 2022|

Health Legacy Of Cleveland Scholarship Recipient Jennifer Ruffin Shares Her Story

“For any prospective Health Legacy Scholar, please do not give up on yourself or the dream that only you may be able to see at times.”  My journey in medicine has been a long, difficult and trying process. However, looking back I am so thankful for the life, education and experiences of struggle that challenged me.   As a native Clevelander, I am excited as a third-year osteopathic medical student to see the fruits of my labor finally take off.  I want to be part of the solution in bringing affordable preventative healthcare to Cleveland’s underserved communities. For any underrepresented minority, black or brown pre-medical student that is reading this, I say to you-You are so desperately needed in a profession where underrepresented physicians are difficult to come by. Where an entire hospital can be filled with physicians who don’t look or sound like you.  Please take advantage of any post baccalaureate, pre-matriculation and or master’s degree opportunity prior to medical school.  The knowledge you attain in these programs must be looked at as a stepping [...]

March 14th, 2022|

Health Legacy Scholarship Recipient – Christopher King

  Christopher King is a native of the Hough neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. Christopher is a product of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, being a graduate of Whitney Young and the School of Science and Medicine at John Hay. After graduating high school, Christopher matriculated to Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. At Morehouse, Christopher majored in Biology and started his journey to Dentistry. During his freshman year Christopher participated in the Summer Medical and Dental Education Program at the University of California- Los Angeles. During this program Chris learned how Public Health and Dentistry intertwine and how a Dentist can maximize their reach to underrepresented populations that need care.  Upon returning to Morehouse, Christopher solidified his career choice and joined the Executive Boards of the Health Careers Society, Atlanta University Center Public Health Institute, and participated in other experiences to grow in leadership and to give back to the community through service projects. While building his experiences and resume, Christopher graduated from Morehouse College in 2016 with Cum Laude honors, but still did not feel [...]

February 15th, 2022|

The Charge of Health Legacy

Health Legacy of Cleveland has been committed to bridging the gap of healthcare disparities for well over 25 years. For the past two and a half years, the pandemic has illuminated the myriad of health disparities for minorities. Because of the economic and social landscape of this country it has been reported by the Centers for Disease Control and others, that African-Americans with asthma, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes were at a greater risk than other populations for contracting Coronavirus. Furthermore, minorities are more at risk for suffering from more serious complications from Coronavirus.

The Association of American Medical Colleges and others document that about 5 percent of practicing physicians in the U.S. are black. Health Legacy of Cleveland’s mission becomes even more pressing, since the Association of American Medical Colleges data shows that black patients have better outcomes when treated by black doctors.

According to the Cleveland Council of Black Colleges Alumni Association more than 70 percent of African American dentists and physicians earned degrees at HBCUs . Therefore, according to Dr. Bessie House-Soremekun-President/Chairperson of Health Legacy of Cleveland, Ohio Inc. and the Board Members… it is imperative that more funds are raised to provide scholarships and mentoring for student doctors and dentists to bring more of them into the “Cleveland Healthcare Corridors” to better manage the healthcare of minorities.

Board Members and Executive Officers

2023 Board Members

Karen Ashby, MD

Billy Brown, MD

Cordelia G. Harris, PhD

Liz Hilton, Esq

Bessie House-Soremekun, PhD

Andre Mickle, DDS, MSD

Charles Modlin MD

Maposure T. Miller, DDS

Lateef Saffore, PhD

Maurice Soremekun, MD

Giesele Robinson Greene, MD…..Board Member Emeritus

2023 Executive Officers

PRESIDENT/CHAIRPERSON:  DR. BESSIE HOUSE SOREMEKUN

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT/CHAIRPERSON: DR. LATEEF SAFFORE

VICE PRESIDENT/VICE CHAIRPERSON:  CORDELIA HARRIS, PhD

TRESURER:  RODERICK ADAMS JR, DDS

SECRETARY:  KAREN ASHBY, MD

LEONICIA BLUE, DMD
BILLY BROWN, MD
SONALI BUSTAMANTE WILSON, ESQ
KENNETH CHANCE, DDS
FRANCIS CURD, DDS
EDWARD HILLS, DDS
LIZ HILTON, ESQ
BESSIE HOUSE-SOREMEKUN, PhD

JAMES H. HOUSTON, DDS
CECELIA HUFFMAN-WHITE
EDGAR B JACKSON JR., ESQ
GUS KIOUS, MD
ANDRE K. MICKEL DDS, MSD
CHARLES MODLIN, MD
MAPOSURE T. MILLER, DDS
CAROL NIXON, MD

KEVIN L. PENN, CPA
MADGE POTTS-WILLIAMS, DDS
LEENA PALOMO, MD
GIESELE ROBINSON GREENE, MD
OSCAR SAFFOLD, MD (FOUNDER)
MAURICE SOREMEKUN, MD
ED WEBBER
JACKSON WRIGHT JR., MD

Spotlight on Three Health Legacy of Cleveland Ohio Doctors

Spotlight on Dr. Billy Brown

January 30th, 2023|

Billy Brown enthusiastically practiced Internal Medicine in the African-American community for over 35 years before retiring. He chose to maintain a practice in East Cleveland while serving as a member of the medical staff at Huron Hospital, a Cleveland Clinic Hospital. Dr. Brown was elected by his peers to serve as Chief of Staff of Huron Hospital from 2000-2002. As an internist, Dr. Brown had special interests in the care of patients with diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular [...]

Honoring Board Member Dr. Andre K. Mickel

April 19th, 2022|

Health Legacy of Cleveland  is proud to highlight Dr. Andre K. Mickel as an outstanding Board Member.  He has been one of the pillars of Health Legacy for over 20 years.  He has given his time and talent richly to our organization. It is no secret that Dr. . Andre K. Mickel is a leading Endodontist in Cleveland specializing in the most difficult and highly complex root canal cases. When he is not treating patients [...]

Recognizing Dr. Charles Modlin – One Of Our Own Health Legacy Of Cleveland, Ohio Board Member

December 29th, 2021|

This month, Health Legacy of Cleveland is proud to recognize one of our long serving Board Members, Charles Modlin, MD.  He has had a brilliant career in the medical field, bridging the health disparity gap for minorities.  Recently, he has joined MetroHealth after more than three decades at the Cleveland Clinic, where he was Executive Director of Minority Health. Dr. Modlin is MetroHealth’s first Medical Director for Inclusion, Diversity and Equity.  In this role, he is part of the [...]

February Monthly Health Target

February is Black History Month and Heart Month

Black History and Black Health are closely related: Health Legacy of Cleveland would like to pause and recognize February as Black History Month and February as Heart Month.  Because of the ongoing struggle for Health Equity in United States, Black History and Black Health are closely related.   The Center for Disease Control acknowledges that African Americans ages 18-49 are 2 times as likely to die from heart disease than whites.[1] [...]

January 31st, 2023|

Or Mail your check to:

Health Legacy of Cleveland

PO Box 201519

Shaker Heights, Ohio 44120 (enclose email address)

Special Acknowledgements for Homepage Updates:
*Dr. Cordelia G. Harris
*Support Team from MoDuet

CONTACT US

Phone 216.621.1933

HEALTH LEGACY of CLEVELAND, Inc.

PO Box 201519

Shaker Heights, OH 44120-8108

 

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