MACCHE Launch Panel 2: Program Users and Implementers 

Two panel discussions were held as part of the launch of the Mid-Atlantic Center for Cardiometabolic Health Equity (MACCHE). Each discussion featured healthcare professionals and community advocates from different organizations. The first panel featured panelists who spoke on the topic of Community Partnerships. This was followed by a second panel, comprised of medical professionals and community workers, who shared their perspectives as program users and implementers. 

The second panel discussion covered a range of topics related to health equity, including challenges faced by the homeless population, the role of pharmacists in addressing health disparities, and the importance of patient advocacy. The panelists shared their experiences and insights, highlighting the need for collaboration and community engagement in addressing health equity issues.  

One of the most impassioned and inspiring comments of the day came from Gregory Rogers from Health Care for the Homeless, who discussed the challenges faced by the homeless population, particularly in accessing healthcare. He emphasized the need for healthcare providers to understand the unique challenges faced by different communities and to provide care that is tailored to their specific needs in a way that is respectful, dignified, and non-judgmental. Rogers pointed to his personal experience of homelessness.  

“I was a guy who lost everything. Somebody standing in line at Healthcare for the Homeless was able to get me enrolled in therapy and a 12-step program,” Rogers said. “All those things happened because of his level of compassion. All these things happened because one person in this organization had enough compassion to tell me that my breath smelled. We ought to do this work as providers, to listen to what the clients are not saying, and to provide the services that they need.” 

Natalie Spicyn, MD, MHS from the University of Maryland, shared her insights on the importance of patient advocacy. She spoke about the need for patients to be empowered and informed about their healthcare and emphasized the role of healthcare providers in supporting patient advocacy. Spicyn spoke about the role of physicians in addressing health disparities and what, in her experience, affects the degree to which patients can participate in programs or interventions.  

For Spicyn, it is important for researchers and physicians to establish and maintain trust and mutual respect with patients and participants and to ensure that the relationship is never one-sided. According to Spicyn, “it’s important to have clear communication about what the potential benefits are and be transparent about the risks. And having an inherent feeling that the investigators have their best interest at heart.” 

Samantha DeMarco, PharmD from Johns Hopkins Outpatient Pharmacy spoke about the role of pharmacists in addressing health disparities. She emphasized the importance of medication adherence and the need for pharmacists to work collaboratively with other healthcare providers to ensure that patients are receiving the appropriate care. This highlights the need for healthcare providers to work together and to take a holistic approach to patient care, considering all aspects of a patient's health and well-being. DeMarco stressed the importance of clear and frequent communications with patients, stating “we need communication to build trust... communication through and through is the biggest piece in implementing new procedures and studies.” 

Finally, Keith Daye, a patient advocate, shared his experiences of navigating the healthcare system as a patient. He spoke about the challenges faced by patients in obtaining healthcare, particularly for those from underserved communities. He highlighted the importance of researchers and healthcare providers building relationships with patients and study participants based on trust, mutual respect, and genuine interest in the well-being of the individual and their community.  

“One of the most important things a study team can do [in terms of recruitment] is show some interest,” Daye said. “[When I was part of a study], one of the study members would call me, and I’d become familiar with them. She was very transparent. Because I was so familiar with that member of that study team, she encouraged me to be a member of the Community Advisory Board. That’s really important to have someone familiar with the participant.”