Our second award recipient this evening is Dr. Andre Mickle, (Endodontist)

He is the Past President of Health Legacy of Cleveland, Inc.He is wonderful fundraiser and a big supporter of Health Legacy of Cleveland Scholarships. Dr. Mickle has served as President of prestigious College of Diplomates of American Board of Endodontics. He has been selected by the Cleveland Magazine as one of Cleveland’s most “Interesting People” for his innovative clinical relaxation techniques to reduce root canal patients’ anxiety and perception of pain. Dr Mickle has served on the Board of Directors of the Greater Cleveland Dental Society of CWRU School of Dental Alumni Association. Additionally, he has served in the following roles: Past President of Ohio Association of Endodontists, Chairman of CWRU Dental Alumni Association, Program, (Case Western Reserve University). He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

Our third award recipient is Dr. Lateef Saffore

Dr. Lateef Saffore is the Immediate Past President of Health Legacy of Cleveland. He served as President during a time following a national and global decline where funds had to raise funds to stabilize Health Legacy of Cleveland by administering the sale of the HLC Art collection with Dr. Maposure Miller (also a founding Board Member). Dr. Saffore was very instrumental in using his leadership skills to ensure the continued support of our current and new president of Health Legacy of Cleveland, Dr. Bessie House-Soremekun. He served as the Lead Research Scientist at Lerner Research Institute from 2001-2006 and as Senior Scientist and Research Administrator for the Cleveland Clinic Foundation from 2001-2017. He is an Executive, Business Owner, Scientist, Inventor, Project Manager, and Critical thinker. He has worked with hospitals, federal agencies, and grassroots organizations to develop and implement important public policies. He is a Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.

Our fourth Award Recipient is Dr. Roderick Adams. (DDS)

He currently serves as the Treasurer of Health Legacy of Cleveland and he has been a member of the Board of Directors for many years. He is also a great parliamentarian for our organization. He won the Ohio Dental Association Leadership Pin award in 2018 for being active in councils and committees at all levels of the tripartite for many years, including having served as Chair of the Ohio Dental Association’s Council on Access to Care and Public Service, Credentials, Rules and Order Committee and the Subcommittee on Judicial Affairs, and as a member of the Ad interim Committee. Dr. Adams sets a powerful message to encourages others to take action. He has further been very active at The Historic Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Cleveland, Ohio for many years where he serves as the Senior Warden. He is also a valued member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and the Reynards Social Group, (An organization of distinguished Black professional men).

Our fifth award recipient is Dr. Cordelia Harris.

Dr. Cordelia G. Harris is the Vice-President/Assistant Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Health Legacy of Cleveland Inc. She has been an active member for over 25 years. Dr. Harris has provided leadership for our scholarship process, fundraising and Website. For the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. She is a former High School Principal, former Director of Health and Physical, a former Director of Human Resources and a Health and Physical Education Teacher. She enjoys being an Active Member of The Historic Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church and now as a resident of Bowie, Maryland, attends via Zoom. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

Our Sixth Award Recipient is Dr. Maurice Soremekun- (Obstetrician/Gynecologist)

Dr. Maurice Soremekun has been a member of HLC for several years. He has generously supported our scholarship campaign through the years. He is a Board Certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist who is the President and CEO of Women’s Health Care, Inc., a facility dedicated to providing high quality health care services to women. He was the former Director of In-Patient Maternity Services, Director of Adolescent Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Chief of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center of Cleveland, Ohio.He was formerly the Lead Physician at The Otis Moss Center of the University Hospital of Cleveland. He belongs to many professional organizations and has held many leadership Positions, which include serving as the President of the Cleveland Medical Association, the President of the Cleveland Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the President of the Nigerian Community of Greater Cleveland on 2 separate occasions. He is a member of Trinity Methodist Church, is a Knight of John Wesley, one of the highest honors bestowed by the Methodist Church on its parishioners, and he is also a member of the Reynards Social Group.

Award for Dr. Bessie House-Soremekun Presented by Dr. Cordelia G. Harris

Our last award recipient this evening is none other than our esteemed Health Legacy of Cleveland President and Chair of the Board of Directors, Dr. Bessie House-Soremekun

• Dr. Bessie House-Soremekun has been a board member of Health Legacy of Cleveland for more than 15 years.
• She has served as Chair of the Development Committee and has also supported our scholarship campaign.
• She began her term as President and Chair of the Board of Directors of Health Legacy of Cleveland in January 2021.
• While serving as President of HLC, she has provided visionary leadership for the development of a new 5-year strategic plan which has outlined a number of new initiatives that will extend the work of HLC further into the 21st century.
• The Strategic Plan also supports the expanded mission of Health Legacy of Cleveland to also include more engagement and dissemination of information about health care issues, disease prevention, and health care provision to the broader Cleveland community.
• She is an internationally recognized scholar, professor, award-winning author, administrator, inventor, and entrepreneur.
• Last month, the Provost of Jackson State University, appointed her to serve as the new Interim Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Jackson State University. She previously served as the Associate Dean in the College and as the Interim Chair of the Department of Political Science.
• The College of Liberal Arts is one of the largest colleges on the campus with many faculty, staff, and students.

Her critically acclaimed 7th book, Yoruba Creativity: Cultural Practices of the Modern World, was recently published by Carolina Academic Press. I intend to purchase a copy of the book tonight and books will be available for those who wish to acquire a copy.

Other Award Recipients who are unable to be here with us tonight, will be presented their awards at later date…

They include: Dr. Karen Ashby, Secretary of HLC; Attorney Elizabeth Hilton an(d Dr. Maposure Miller (Founding Board Member) and Dr.Charles Modlin. Also in our Emeritus Catergory: Dr. Giesele R.Greene (Founding Board Member) and Dr. Gus Kious.

Health Legacy of Cleveland Inc. would also like to acknowledge Dr. Oscar Saffold as one of the Founding Members of HLC and Cynthia Clark MA as Immediate Past Executive Director of HLC.

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

Featuring Rebekah Russell

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 and the heart. While in high school, I pursued opportunities that allowed me to experience science and medicine. I was fortunate enough to be exposed to mentors that supported me and further validated that I had what it takes to become a physician.

READ MORE….

Previously Featured Health Legacy of Cleveland Scholarship Recipient

Spotlight on Dr. Billy Brown

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 disease and HIV infections, diseases that have disproportionately affected African-American and other minorities.

As Chief of Staff, Dr. Billy Brown felt that the mission of a community hospital was to take care of social and healthcare issues facing families and communities.  Assuming a leadership position allowed him the opportunity to be an advocate for programs that impact those who had the least.

Dr. Brown has been an active member of Health Legacy of Cleveland Inc. for many years, (which is a mentoring/scholarship program for minority students wishing to become a doctor or allied healthcare professional).  He is a founding member of Health Legacy of Cleveland and is the first President of Health Legacy of Cleveland. He has also worked with the Membership Committee of Health legacy for years.  Dr. Brown has been known for his humor and wit, which has always been a valuable asset for Health Legacy of Cleveland Inc.

He served as Medical Director for Fairfax Place and Candlewood Park Nursing Homes, which care for our elderly citizens.  He has served as Clinical Instructor of Medicine at Case Western University School of Medicine and has been included in the teaching of medical students and continuing education of doctors, nursing and other health care providers.

Dr. Billy Brown received his Bachelor of Science Degree with Honors from Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  He holds a Master of Arts Degree from Harvard University and was awarded his Doctor of Medicine Degree from Case Western Reserve University.  He completed his residency at Metro Health Medical Center in Cleveland.  Dr. Brown has served as Pasts President for the Cleveland Medical Association (Local Chapter of the National Medical Association).  He is also a Member of the Association of Black Cardiologists.

Dr. Brown is highly respected by the Cleveland Medical Community and his former patience.  He now resides in East Cleveland as a widower.  He is proud of his adult children.  One is a Medical Doctor, one has a Law degree  and one is in the business world with an MBA degree.  

Previously Featured Health Legacy of Cleveland Board Member

As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for equality and human rights, the African-American medical community marched in step with this important American civil rights movement of the 1950’s and 1960’s.

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

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

ARCHIVE BOARD MEMBERS PICTURE FROM 2013