Dr. Ala Stanford, a native Philadelphian and physician, will share her story of engaging with Philadelphia’s communities of color, particularly those with the lowest life expectancies, to help improve overall health and well-being. She will talk about the importance of understanding the ongoing impact of red-lining on production and perseverance of health disparities in such neighborhoods, where poor educational systems and lack of affordable housing, fresh food, and access to health care and other essentials in Philadelphia abound.
Dr. Stanford grew up in Germantown and graduated from Temple University and its School of Medicine. Later, while a faculty member at Temple, she directed the Center for Mental Health and Health Disparities. During the recent COVID-19 Pandemic, she responded to observed racism in the local distribution of testing and vaccination by founding the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium (with a group of ~200 healthcare providers) and the Center for Health Equity. Her work earned recognition as a ‘national model demonstrating best health practices in the depths of a public health crisis.’ She was subsequently tapped by the White House to serve as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Since returning to Philadelphia, she has expanded the reach of the (now) Ala Stanford Health Equity (ASHE) Center in a major at-risk community, delivering a broad range of services to residents of all ages, regardless of ability to pay. Dr. Stanford has been recognized nationally with awards including the 2021 residents of all ages George H.W. Bush Points of Light Award and Fortune Magazine’s ‘World’s 50 Greatest Leaders in 2021’ and locally by the City of Philadelphia, which named a street in her honor.