Hear From Our Experts

COVID-19: Lessons From Inside the NBA Bubble! w/ Dr. Leroy Sims

An up close and personal presentation from Dr. Leroy Sims about visioning and successfully implementing the NBA Bubble. Dr. Sims will provide insight on the challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned as well as offer his perspective about how to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in the greater community.

Dr. Sims, MD, MSc, CAQSM, is the V.P. and Medical Director of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He developed a medical protocol plan for delivering a safe and responsible NBA season in the midst of a pandemic.

This virtual event is brought to you by the Multicultural Health Foundation, the San Diego County COVID-19 Equity Task Force, and the County of San Diego.

Meet Our Trusted Messengers

Dr. Rodney Hood

President and Chairman, Multicultural Health Foundation

A physician of internal medicine in private practice.

Wilma J. Wooten, M.D., M.P.H.

Public Health Officer & Director, Public Health Services

She has been with the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency since 2001, initially as the Deputy Health Officer and now serves as the Public Health Officer since February 2007. She has a strong interest in health disparities and health equity.

Dr. Robert Gillespie

Cardiology Specialist

Dr. Robert Gillespie, born and raised in Gary Indiana, received his undergraduate degree from UCLA and his medical degree from the University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine...

Jamal K. Gwathney, MD, MPH, FAAFP

CAPT, U.S. Public Health Service

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?" MLK, Jr.

Mayor Racquel Vasquez

Mayor Racquel Vasquez

Mayor Racquel Vasquez proudly serves the City of Lemon Grove as a historic mayor.

Bishop Terrell Fletcher

Pastor

Terrell Fletcher is a pastor, entrepreneur, community advocate, and author.

Dr. Suzanne Afflalo

Family Physician and Medical Director, Alliance Health Center

Dr. Suzanne Afflalo, MD is a Family Physician and Medical Director in San Diego, CA and has over 31 years of experience in the medical field.

Dr. Kelly O. Elmore

Volunteer Medical Director, VivaLife Health Hub

A native of Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Elmore graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Xavier University of Louisiana...

Council Member Monica Montgomery-Steppe

San Diego City Councilmember, District 4

With a combination of knowledge and passion, Monica is dedicated to improving and uplifting the city of San Diego as a whole and the people in the Fourth Council District.

Abdul Waliullah Muhammad

Student Minister

Abdul Waliullah Muhammad, local representative of The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, business professional, and community leader, was born in Jamaica, West Indies, in 1962.

Council Member Ed Spriggs

Imperial Beach City Council Member

Ed Spriggs was elected to the City Council in November of 2010. His major goal is improving the quality of life for all residents of Imperial Beach. Ed’s community involvement has included membership on streetscape improvement work groups, the Ecotourism Committee and the Tidelands Advisory Committee, which he has served as chairperson for the last two years prior to his election.

Dr. Vangie Ackridge

Educational Psychologist

Dr. Ackridge is an Educational Psychologist who graduated from Alliant International University in 2013.

Dr. John Ringgold

Pastor

Dr. John Ringgold is senior pastor of Bethel Baptist Church of San Diego, California since 1979.

Dr. Akilah Weber

Director of the Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology Division at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego

Dr. Akilah Weber is a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist at the University of California San Diego and is also the Director of the Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology Division at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego.

Carleton Overstreet

CEO

Carleton Overstreet Jr. is a native of San Diego, CA. Carleton aka CEO is known by many as a drummer, brand manager, business consultant and promoter...

Samantha Gambles Farr

President of San Diego Black Nurses Association

Samantha Gambles Farr is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a career in nursing for over 20 years. Her specialties include surgical, cardiothoracic, neuro-critical intensive care and those critically injured in traumas.

Samantha Williams

Nurse Practitioner Samantha Williams SDBNA COVID Task Force Chief

Samantha Williams is a recent Family Nurse Practitioner graduate, with a 10+ year career of nursing experience as a registered nurse.

Satia Omega Austin

President of the North San Diego County NAACP

Not only is Satia a Life Member of the NAACP; she has the esteemed honor of being the current President of the North San Diego County NAACP, the State Advisor for the Youth & College Division across California and Hawaii, and the Vice Chair of the National NAACP Youth Works Committee.

Our Partners

ABOUT US

Together Against COVID is an initiative led by the Multicultural Health Foundation (MHF) in partnership with the County of San Diego. MHF's mission is to bring health justice and wellness to the multicultural communities of San Diego County by focusing resources on the most vulnerable populations with community-based wellness strategies, social-clinical interventions, and research that will lead to the elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities. For more information, please contact us at (619) 915-6734.