From public health to veterinary medicine, four Black Adtalem alumni share their inspiring journeys and perspectives on patient advocacy and advancing equitable care for Black and underserved communities.
Patient-centered care isn’t just a healthcare model; it’s a commitment to understanding and addressing the unique needs of communities, especially in the face of historical and systemic inequities. As we celebrate Black History Month, it is crucial to recognize the ongoing struggle for equitable healthcare and honor those who have fought—and continue to fight—for change.
For Black Americans, the healthcare system has been a source of mistrust, driven by historical mistreatment, systemic inequities and contemporary discrimination. These barriers often result in reduced preventive care utilization, lower adherence to medical recommendations and poorer health outcomes.
Despite these challenges, Black healthcare professionals, advocates and community leaders are working tirelessly to dismantle these inequities, build trust and improve access to culturally competent care. Their work is not just about improving health outcomes—it’s about empowering Black communities, addressing racial disparities and ensuring that healthcare is truly equitable for all.
Accessing Black Communities Where They Are
At the end of 2024, Brittany Cox, PhD ’22, was named the assistant commissioner for Tennessee’s Division of Health Disparities Elimination, overseeing initiatives that directly target rural and minority populations in her home state.
“I grew up in a rural community where access to healthcare wasn’t always guaranteed. My mother worked two jobs, and we relied on the local health department for services like vaccinations,” Dr. Cox recalls.
Her division leverages data-driven approaches to identify gaps in care, while programs like Project Access connect rural communities to specialty services. Faith-based engagement also plays a key role in her strategy, as churches often act as trusted hubs for health education.
Dr. Cox’s career has been dedicated to minority communities in Tennessee from her time as an intern with the Rutherford County Health Department over 10 years ago to today. She was the public health director for Wilson County when she found Walden University and enrolled for her PhD in Public Health to elevate her career.
Of Adtalem’s 30,000-plus graduates in 2024, nearly half were minorities.
She also recounted her personal challenges navigating the healthcare system as an African American woman during her first pregnancy in 2023:
“I had complications early on, including severe swelling in my joints that left me unable to walk at one point. I went into the emergency room, and they just told me it wasn’t that bad. Navigating that as a first-time mother was scary. I experienced firsthand what many African American women face—having my concerns minimized. That experience reinforced the importance of patient advocacy, especially for underserved populations.”
Reflecting on her experiences—both as a public health professional and navigating her own healthcare challenges—Dr. Cox underscores the importance of empathy in patient advocacy. “It’s about meeting people where they are and ensuring they feel heard,” she says.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Are Not Optional
For Kenyani Davis, MD ’12 from Ross University School of Medicine, chief medical officer at the Community Health Center of Buffalo (CHCB), diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are not optional—they are essential. “DEI is woven into our DNA,” she states, highlighting CHCB's intentional hiring practices and policies that reflect the diverse population they serve.
Dr. Davis’s advocacy extends beyond hiring practices. She envisions a healthcare system where equity is the standard, not the exception.
She has spearheaded the development of health equity curricula, designed to train healthcare leaders on integrating DEI principles into clinical and administrative practices. Her approach addresses systemic issues, such as racism in medicine, unequal access to care and mistrust in healthcare.
Adtalem institutions combined graduate more Black physicians, both male and female, than any US medical school at more than 125 graduates each year.
Mistrust is a challenge she confronts daily.
“Historical mistreatment and ongoing discrimination have left deep scars,” she says. “Building trust starts with acknowledging these realities and demonstrating a commitment to change.”
Dr. Davis is also a vocal advocate for addressing racism as a public health issue. “You can’t move the mark without tackling racism. This work isn’t just about serving patients; it’s about reshaping the entire system to ensure fairness and inclusivity.”
Addressing Healthcare Gaps Among Minority Communities
As a Maryland Board of Nursing member and director of legislative affairs and advocacy for Hospice of the Chesapeake, Rachel Jordan, MSN ’18 from Chamberlain University, is on a mission to bring humanity back to healthcare. Her dual role combines clinical expertise with policy advocacy, allowing her to address gaps in hospice and palliative care among minority communities.
Dr. Jordan’s journey into hospice care began with her own experiences as a nurse. “I wasn’t prepared for the emotional impact of patient deaths,” she recalls. This motivated her to specialize in palliative care, where she could focus on patients’ emotional and social needs, not just their medical conditions.
Today, her work centers on ensuring that patients and families receive care that respects their values and priorities. Her advocacy involves addressing mistrust in healthcare.
“When you look at the history of healthcare in America, it’s no wonder that mistrust exists,” she says. By focusing on education and outreach, Jordan aims to rebuild confidence in hospice and palliative care. “It’s about showing up in communities, whether that’s in churches, schools or at kitchen tables.”
Chamberlain and Walden combined are the leading grantor of all degree types in the nursing field to minority students in the U.S.
Dr. Jordan’s goal is to shift the perception of hospice from a last resort to a valuable resource for quality of life. She also emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. “In hospice and palliative care, the patient should always be the biggest priority,” she says. By working closely with physicians, nurses and social workers, we ensure that care plans are holistic and patient-centered.”
Her work is making a tangible impact. Dr. Jordan has helped increase early hospice enrollment and improve access for underserved populations. “When patients and families feel seen and heard, it changes everything,” she says.
Accessible Veterinary Care for Underserved Communities
Advocacy isn’t limited to humans. It extends to animals who cannot speak for themselves.
In Palm Beach County, Florida, Ysabel Wright, DVM ’17 from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, serves as a shelter veterinarian exemplifying the One Health approach to the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental wellbeing.
Dr. Wright’s role in shelter medicine involves addressing critical gaps in veterinary care. She often encounters cases where financial barriers force pet owners to surrender their animals. “Being an advocate means finding solutions,” she says. In one memorable case, a dog with bladder stones was reunited with its family after receiving free surgery, a testament to Dr. Wright’s commitment to compassionate care.
Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Wright is founder of the Veterinary Alliance Center for Accessible Care, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing affordable and accessible veterinary services to underserved communities across states and countries. Her holistic approach extends to fostering collaboration among veterinary professionals, community organizations and policymakers.
Dr. Wright emphasizes the importance of addressing the social determinants of health in her field. Her work includes outreach programs that educate pet owners and provide resources to prevent unnecessary surrenders. “Veterinary care isn’t just about animals; it’s about supporting the families and communities that rely on them,” she says.
1 in 4 RUSVM graduates have been people of color over the past 3 years.
For more information, email the Adtalem Global Communications Team: adtalemmedia@adtalem.com.
