Events

William Minniefield, a member of the Student National Medical Association, attended the 36th Annual Medical Education Conference held in Atlanta, GA, April 12th-15th, 2001. He participated in the 17th annual Dr. Wilbert C. Jordan Research Forum and received the award of "Recognition of Excellent Scholarship in the Field Research". The award was given for his study entitled "Differences in Attitude Toward Organ Donation Among African Americans and Caucasians in the United States".

His study was also excepted for publication July 6th, 2001 by the Journal of the National Medical Association (JNMA) and will appear in the October 2001 issue. William also has two other studies under consideration for publication pertaining to minority health.

The Board of Directors of the Minority Organ Donation Education program (MODEP) would like to congratulate William on his hard work and well-deserved award.

The Minority Organ Donation Education Program (MODEP) participated in a very successful health fair given by the Living Well Center at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Students form the African American Studies Departments along with students from the Living Well Center helped by distributing information concerning the importance of becoming and organ donor and signing an organ donor card. MODEP made available information pertaining to health issues such as hypertension, diabetes and other health issues that impact the quality of life particularly for African Americans and other minorities. MODEP also held raffles for various prizes. Other important health issues for students and others that were presented by the Living Well Center included topics such as the dangers of smoking, obesity, exercise programs, and much more.

MODEP would like to thank the African American Studies Department and the Living Well Center for its support and we look forward to future events.

Minority Organ Donation Education Program (MODEP) participated in the Educational Health Fair given by the Nurses Guild of the Prince of Peace Church in Buffalo New York. The event chairperson, Mrs. Betty Reese, Vice President of Nurses Guild, invited representatives from several health agencies that provided information pertaining to issues of great concern to the African American community. Informational tables provided speakers and materials addressing health issues such as HIV/AIDS, Mental Retardation, Alzheimer's, High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol, Kidney Diseases, and Viral Hepatitis.

William Minniefield, Founder and Director of the Minority Organ Donation Education Program, was guest speaker at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine July 10th - July 12th, 2001. The lecture, which was presented to students who are participants in the University Link Medical Science Program, addressed the issue of organ donation and the importance of minority participation in organ donor programs. Also addressed was the need for more minority health care professionals, and the disparities in health care that lead to lack of participation.

The University Link Medical Science Program is a residential program in which students are exposed to a broad variety of topics to stimulate and encourage interest in pursuing careers in the health profession. The program consist of 20 underrepresented minority students interested in health careers from community colleges in San Diego and East Los Angeles. The students are brought to the campus for one month of classes during the month of July where they are exposed to medical issues regarding minorities. Garietta Falls, who is a fourth year medical student at the University of California Medical School, is also program coordinator of the University Link Medical School Program. Garietta felt that the issue of organ donation, especially in the minority communities, is one that needs to be addressed in both a public and educational setting.

I would like to thank, Sandra P. Daley, MD (Program Director) and Garietta Falls for inviting me to speak regarding these important minority issues.