Community-Based Solutions to End Violence
April 6, 2016 in Atlanta, GA | #CHPMsummit
Conference Speakers
This summit has ended. Thank you for your interest in the 8th Annual Dr. Blumenthal Public Health Summit.
Cedric Alexander, PsyD
Speaker
Dr. Alexander was appointed by the DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer as the Chief of Police for the DeKalb County Police Department in April 2013, where his primary responsibility was to oversee and direct all activities of the Police Department and surrounding areas. On December 2013, Dr. Alexander was appointed to the position of Deputy Chief Operating Officer, DeKalb County Office of Public Safety. Dr. Alexander is responsible for the day-to-day operations of DeKalb County Police/Fire Department, Medical Examiner's Office, and Animal Services as well as 911 Communications. Chief Alexander is responsible for protecting and serving the citizens of DeKalb County. DeKalb County is the second largest county in the Metro-Atlanta area protecting and serving approximately 700,000 citizens.
In the Plenary Session, Dr. Alexander will discuss Community Policing: Current Status, Strategies, and Effectiveness.
Yolanda M. Chancellor
Speaker
Based on her personal experiences in the healthcare system, witnessing medical mishaps, misdiagnosis, and disparities in quality health care which resulted in the death of numerous family members, loved ones and friends, Yolanda Chancellor became a health & wellness advocate. Yolanda is the 2016 Health & Wellness Chair for the National Action Network — Atlanta Chapter. The organization supports human rights, civil rights, health & wellness advocacy, housing and legal assistance. Yolanda C. founded Your Money Counts, Inc., in 2005 where the following services were provided: health & wellness advocacy, patient services coordinator, mentorship to youth and young adults, research, grant writing, business, security and financial consulting.
In the Town Hall, Yolanda Chancellor will participate in the discussion titled “Stop the Violence Atlanta.”
Reginald Crossley
Speaker
Reginald Crossley currently serves as the Fulton County Youth Commissioner Coordinator for the Department of Aging and Youth Services. Daily, his role is to advocate for the many issues presently plaguing our youth and communities through the influence of governmental mandates, programming and legislation. Reginald has empowered thousands of youth within our juvenile court system and through the many organizations he has had the honor of serving. Reginald is a State Certified ATOD (Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Prevention) Specialist. He also holds a Certification in Gang Prevention & Intervention Services. For many years he trained teachers and law enforcement officers on how to identify and address drug and gang activity.
In Concurrent Session A, Reginald Crossley will discuss Local Efforts Aimed to Prevent Community Violence: Evidence and Practice-based Strategies.
Omar Danner, MD, FACS
Speaker
Dr. Omar K. Danner is the Director of Trauma and an Associate Professor of Surgery at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA. He joined the Surgical Faculty at MSM and Grady Memorial Hospital in January of 2009, where he has been a practicing trauma surgeon, surgical critical care specialist, and minimally invasive surgeon, and performing investigative research, as well as training and teaching MSM surgical residents and medical students. His principle clinical and research interests are in Youth Violence and Injury Prevention, the Effect of Youth Mentoring and Medical Exposure on Healthcare Career Choice, Early Sepsis Identification, and Vitamin D Deficiency Research in the Setting of Critical Injury and Illness. Dr. Danner is a published author of several manuscripts and abstracts.
In Concurrent Session D, Dr. Danner will participate in the discussion titled “Engaging Local Public Health Departments in Community-Oriented Violence Prevention Solutions: From Workforce Development to Partnering for Capacity Building.”
Jessalyn Dorsey
Speaker
Ms. Jessalyn Dorsey is the Executive Director for Crime Victims Advocacy Council, Inc. (CVAC). She is responsible for the overall management and operation of CVAC. She has been involved with CVAC, victims' rights, and victims' issues since 2001. Jessalyn lost her only child to a violent murder in 1999 outside a neighborhood sweet-16 birthday party. Ms. Dorsey has gone from despair over the murder of her only child to a commitment of service for crime victims and survivors. She is a Certified Victim Advocate and over the years has served in varied positions in the CVAC organization; Volunteer (2001–2004), Vice-President (2004), President (2005–2008), Advisory Board Member (2009–2012), Support Groups Facilitator/Volunteer Coordinator (2013–present), and in 2014 was appointed Executive Director.
In the Town Hall, Ms. Dorsey will participate in the discussion titled “Stop the Violence Atlanta.”
Nancy Friauf, MEd, MPA
Speaker
Ms. Friauf has served Atlanta's non-profit community for more than 35 years, including recent leadership positions as Executive Director at Genesis Shelter as well as Gwinnett Children's Shelter. Prior to these, she served as Director for Crisis Intervention at YWCA of Cobb County for the department of battered women's rape and crisis programs. She began her career in helping battered women, children and families in the Atlanta region more than 35 years ago at the Council on Battered Women, which later became PADV.
In Breakout Session C, Nancy Friauf will discuss Domestic Violence: Best Strategies for Protecting Women and Children.
S. Elizabeth Ford, MD, MBA, FAAP
Speaker
Dr. S. Elizabeth Ford has served as the District Health Director and Chief Executive Officer of the DeKalb County Board of Health since February 2005. She manages a diverse array of public health programs that serve over 707,000 people who live in the county. Dr. Ford was asked to serve as the Acting Director of the Georgia Department of Community Health’s Division of Public Health during the agency’s reorganization, where she helped to develop statewide policies and legislation and enforce public health laws and regulations.
In Concurrent Session D, Dr. Ford will participate in the discussion titled “Engaging Local Public Health Departments in Community-Oriented Violence Prevention Solutions: From Workforce Development to Partnering for Capacity Building.”
James Garbarino, PhD
Speaker
Dr. Garbarino is Emeritus Profess of Human Development at Cornell University. He currently holds the Maude C. Clarke Chair in Humanistic Psychology and was founding Director of the Center for the Human Rights of Children at Loyola University Chicago. Dr. Garbarino has served as consultant or advisor to a wide range of organizations, including the National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse, the National Institute for Mental Health, the American Medical Association, the National Black Child Development Institute, the National Science Foundation , the U.S. Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect, and the FBI.
In the Opening General Session, Dr. Garbarino will discuss Behavioral and Social Determinants of Interpersonal Violence: On What Factors Do We Intervene?
James Griffin, Jr., PhD
Speaker
Dr. James Parker Griffin, Jr. is a licensed behavioral counselor working in private mental health practice and a behavioral consultant. He has worked in the following areas for over thirty-five years: Behavioral interventions, health promotion, training, education, research, program evaluation, and more recently, video production, and screenplay writing. He has worked as a behavioral consultant in the private sector — Unisys Corporation and John Wieland Homes, in government — Internal Revenue Service and Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness, and in multiple nonprofit organizations — Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) and District of Columbia Association for Retarded Citizens.
In the Town Hall, Dr. Griffin will participate in the discussion titled “Stop the Violence Atlanta.”
Jeffrey E. Hall, PhD, MSPH, CPH
Speaker
Jeffrey E. Hall is a Lead Behavioral Scientist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the Surveillance Branch of the Division of Violence Prevention of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. His work at CDC focuses on topics across the life span, including infant homicide, youth and young adult violence, and elder abuse. He is the team lead of the Morbidity and Behavioral Surveillance Team, and has served as Principal Investigator for the CDC School Associated Violent Deaths Study, Chair of the CDC Aging and Health Work Group, Chair of the DVP Youth Violence Work Group, and co-chair of the Violence Prevention Committee of the American Public Health Association’s Injury Control and Emergency Health Services Section.
In the Opening General Session, Mr. Howard will discuss Effective Strategies and Best Practices for Violence Prevention.
The Honorable Paul L. Howard, Jr.
Speaker
Currently serving his fifth term as Fulton County District Attorney, Paul L. Howard, Jr. is a visionary and trailblazer whose innovative ideas have left an indelible mark on the local justice system and the community-at-large. During his tenure as District Attorney, Mr. Howard has achieved a wide range of ambitious goals, transforming the DA's office and revolutionizing the county criminal justice system in the process. Some highlights include the creation of specialized prosecution units, including Major Felony, Crimes Against Women & Children, White Collar Crime, the Multi-Agency Cold Case Squad, Public Integrity and the Trial Division.
In the Town Hall, Mr. Howard will participate in the discussion titled “Stop the Violence Atlanta.”
Thea James, MD
Speaker
Dr. James is Vice President of Mission and Associate Chief Medical Officer at Boston Medical Center. She is an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and a past president of the Medical and Dental Staff at Boston Medical Center. She is an Assistant Dean in the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, and the Director of the Violence Intervention Advocacy Program at Boston Medical Center. Dr. James is a founding member of the National Network of Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Advocacy Programs (NNHVIP). She serves on the Steering Committee and the Research Group of NNHVIP. In October 2011, Dr. James was appointed to Attorney General Eric Holder's National Task Force On Children Exposed To Violence. The task force report was released and presented to the Attorney General in December 2012.
In the Morning General Session, Dr. James will discuss the Massachusetts Violence Intervention Advocacy Program: Treating Urban Violence.
Camara Jones, MD, MPH, PhD
Speaker
Dr. Jones is President of the American Public Health Association, and a Senior Fellow at the Satcher Health Leadership Institute and the Cardiovascular Research Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine. Dr. Jones is a family physician and epidemiologist whose work focuses on the impacts of racism on the health and well-being of the nation. She seeks to broaden the national health debate to include not only universal access to high quality health care, but also attention to the social determinants of health (including poverty) and the social determinants of equity (including racism).
In the Opening General Session, Dr. Jones will discuss the Perspective on Injury and Violence Prevention: Core Competencies and Policy Lessons.
Shanan Jones, MDiv, MACE
Speaker
The Reverend Shanan E. Jones currently serves as the Executive Pastor of the Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. In this capacity, Rev. Jones, as “chief of staff,” is responsible for overseeing all of Ebenezer's day to day operations. Since joining the pastoral staff in 2006, Rev. Jones has been instrumental in organizing several outreach initiatives such as Ebenezer's FREEDOM CARAVAN, a large scale effort to return Hurricane Katrina Survivors home to New Orleans to participate in local as well as statewide elections. Reverend Jones, who serves as press secretary to Ebenezer's senior pastor, Rev. Raphael G. Warnock, has also organized CUTTING THRU CRISIS, which is the church's special outreach to African American men and boys in Atlanta's Old 4th Ward.
In the Town Hall, Rev. Jones will participate in the discussion titled “Stop the Violence Atlanta.”
Samantha Macedo
Speaker
Samantha Macedo is the Vice President of Prevention & Outreach at Partnership Against Domestic Violence (PADV). She received her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Georgia State University. With over 5 years of experience at PADV, Macedo specializes in community outreach and prevention education, teen dating violence, volunteer & staff training, and building community partnerships. During her time at PADV, Macedo has worked extensively with survivors of intimate partner violence, first as a community outreach advocate, then later as a teen advocate. As a teen advocate, Macedo also facilitated community based prevention education to reduce dating violence and promote healthy relationships.
In Breakout Session C, Samantha Macedo will discuss Domestic Violence: Best Strategies for Protecting Women and Children.
Robert M. Mayberry, MS, MPH, PhD
Speaker
Dr. Robert Mayberry is Professor of Epidemiology and Vice Chair, Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine at Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), Atlanta Georgia. Dr. Mayberry has conducted significant extramurally-funded research as principal investigator. More recent work has focused on building the research infrastructures and the capacities of community-based organizations for prevention research, including the successful training and integration of community health workers into primary care. As an appointed member of Georgia Governor's Council on Maternal and Infant Health, he chaired its Evaluation and Strategy Workgroups which identified priorities and solutions for maternal and infant health among stakeholders throughout the state.
In the Opening General Session, Dr. Mayberry will discuss Behavioral and Social Determinants of Interpersonal Violence: On What Factors Do We Intervene?
Melissa Mercado Crespo, PhD, MSc, MA
Speaker
Dr. Mercado has served in the non-profit, public and private sectors as an epidemiologist and public health researcher for nearly 15 years. Currently, she serves as a Behavioral Scientist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention. She specializes in youth violence and bullying, death scene investigations, suicide and self-harm research. Additionally, she serves as a Science Officer for CDC's Youth Violence Prevention Centers, is a member of the multi-agency StopBullying.gov Editorial Board, and serves in the National Roadmap for Bullying Prevention workgroup at the Federal Partners for Bullying Prevention network.
In Breakout Session B, Dr. Mercado will discuss Youth Violence Prevention Strategies.
Maria More
Speaker
Maria More is an accomplished Radio Personality, Voiceover Talent, Model, and Entrepreneur. In addition, Maria is a licensed Zumba® Fitness Instructor. As a fit mom, she inspires others to live healthy lives. Maria maintains a high level of engagement on social media where she interacts with followers daily. She shares inspiration through her popular “Midday Motivation” feature and represents the “hip-hop brand of empowerment.”
In the Town Hall, Maria Moore will participate in the discussion titled “Stop the Violence Atlanta.”
Brenda Muhammad
Speaker
Since losing her eldest son to violent crime, Brenda Joyce Muhammad has created both a volunteer movement and an agency that advocates for the fundamental rights of victims and witnesses of crime. In response to that devastating loss Ms. Muhammad founded MOMS in 1990, Mothers of Murdered Sons and Daughters, a volunteer-led organization dedicated to stopping the plague of violence in America's communities. Ms. Muhammad joined the board of the Victim Witness Assistance Program of the Metro Atlanta Crime Commission; she became the organization's second executive director in 1998. Under her leadership the agency (now known as Atlanta Victim Assistance, Inc.) expanded services for survivors of victims of homicide and the victims of child abuse, identity theft/bank fraud and sexual assault as well as victims of domestic violence.
In the Town Hall, Ms. Muhammad will participate in the discussion titled “Stop the Violence Atlanta.”
Sharnell Myles, PsyD, LPC
Speaker
Dr. Myles is a licensed clinician who specializes in the treatment of complex trauma. Her dedication to serving children, youth, and adults has spanned over 17-years with a focus on utilizing trauma-informed services to treat sexual abuse, physical abuse, domestic minor sex trafficking, and community based trauma. Dr. Myles is the CEO/Owner of JoyUs Beginnings Child & Family Wellness Center and The Urban Trauma Positive Impact Center, which is an exclusive trauma-informed treatment and advocacy agency located in Atlanta, Georgia. She is also the Care Clinician and Voices Facilitator for youthSpark, Inc., a non-profit agency located at the Fulton County Juvenile Court.
In the Town Hall, Dr. Myles will participate in the discussion titled “Stop the Violence Atlanta.”
Charles Ransford, MPP
Speaker
Charlie Ransford has worked closely with Gary Slutkin, M.D. (Founder & CEO) of Cure Violence developing policy since 2004. As the Director of Science and Policy, Charlie is responsible for advancing the theoretical basis for the Cure Violence Health Approach and building and leading a national effort to create a health sector framework around violence prevention. Over the years, he has been involved in many aspects of Cure Violence including data and evaluation, strategic planning, communications and dissemination of the model nationally and globally — including authoring several papers on the Cure Violence health approach.
In the Morning General Session, Charles Ransford will discuss Cure Violence: Stopping Street Gun Violence.
LeRoy Reese, PhD
Speaker
Dr. LeRoy Reese is an associate professor at Morehouse School of Medicine in the Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine where he co-directs the Pediatric Clinical and Translational Research Core. Prior to joining MSM, Dr. Reese was a senior scientist and team leader at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at the National Center for Injury Control, Division of Violence Prevention. Dr. Reese conducts community-based health research focused on the development of healthy lifestyles, the reduction of risk behavior among youth and their families, and the modification of community based social determinants of health. He was a member of the Task Force of the American Psychological Association that produced the report Resilience and Strength in African American Children and Adolescents.
In Moderated Discussion 1, Dr. Reese will discuss the Inaccurate Perceptions of the Criminality of Black Men and Boys.
Marva Robinson, PsyD
Speaker
Dr. Robinson runs her private practice Preston & Associates Psychology Firm, LLC. She has held esteemed leadership positions, such as the national student President for the Association of Black Psychologist, President of the Ethnic Minority Association of Graduate Students at the Center for Psychological Studies, and a board member for the Association of Black Psychologists. She has also published several articles and co-authored a text book chapter on media and psychology. She is the past president of the St. Louis Association of Black Psychologists where she mobilized her chapter to address the community crisis sparked in Ferguson, Missouri. As the chapter president, she narrowed her focus on three tasks: immediate intervention, building a platform for sustainability, and long term solutions for the community of Ferguson and greater St. Louis.
In Moderated Discussion 2, Dr. Robinson will highlight the Psychological Effects of Police Brutality: From the Frontlines of Ferguson.
Gwendolyn Sands, MEd
Speaker
Gwendolyn Poles Sands is the Founder and Servant Leader of Visions Unlimited in Atlanta, GA. Since 1997 she has specialized in the delivery of prevention and intervention evidence-based services for “at-promise” youth and families, including those who are “ex-customers of the justice system.” She founded Visions Unlimited in 2000 with the mission to “provide exemplary programs and services to meet the mind, body, and spirit needs of youth and families in an environment of unconditional love and mutual respect.” She is a founding member of the Metropolitan Atlanta Violence Prevention Partnership and the Strengthening Families and Communities Coalition of Atlanta.
In Concurrent Session A, Gwendolyn Sands will discuss Local Efforts Aimed to Prevent Community Violence: Evidence and Practice-based Strategies.
Monifa Seawell, MD
Speaker
Monifa S. Seawell is a Board Certified Forensic Psychiatrist and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Morehouse School of Medicine. She is the past Edior in Chief of the American Journal of Psychiatry's Residents' Journal and has lectured nationally and abroad on a wide variety of topics. Dr. Seawell obtained her Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. She went on to complete her psychiatry residency at Wayne State University where she held numerous leadership positions and honors, including serving as Chief Resident and being the recipient of the Outstanding Graduating Resident Award. Dr. Seawell completed her fellowship in forensic psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
In Moderated Discussion 2, Dr. Seawell will highlight the Psychological Effects of Police Brutality: From the Frontlines of Ferguson.
Beverly D. Taylor, MD, FAAFP, FACPM
Speaker
Beverly Taylor became the first director of the Morehouse School of Medicine Preventive Medicine Residency Program in 1985 and continues in that role today. She became Vice Chair of the Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine in 1996 and accepted the chairmanship of the department in 2012. She is a member of the American College of Preventive Medicine; the Association for Teaching, Prevention and Research; the American Academy of Family Physicians; and the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians. She currently serves on the Residency Advisory Committee of the Preventive Medicine Residency Program for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and has served as the Chair of the Physician's Training Award in Preventive Medicine Review Board, of the American Cancer Society.
In the Opening General Session, Dr. Taylor will discuss Community Engagement: A Principled Approach to Community Violence Prevention.
Sarah Vinson, MD
Speaker
Dr. Sarah Y. Vinson is a Triple Board Certified Child & Adolescent, Adult, and Forensic psychiatrist. She is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Morehouse School of Medicine with and Adjunct Faculty in Child & Adolescent and Forensic Psychiatry at Emory School of Medicine. She completed residency and fellowship training at Cambridge Health Alliance/Harvard Medical School and Emory College of Medicine. Dr. Vinson completed specialized training in trauma through the Victims of Violence Program at Harvard Medical School, has lectured at national conferences regarding working with trauma victims and provides care in multiple clinical settings where disproportionately traumatized communities are served..
In Moderated Discussion 1, Dr. Vinson will discuss the Inaccurate Perceptions of the Criminality of Black Men and Boys.
Randee Waldman, JD
Speaker
Randee J. Waldman serves as the Director of the Barton Juvenile Defender Clinic at Emory University School of Law. In this role, she supervises law students in holistic representation of young people charged with delinquent and status offenses. In addition to representing these clients in their juvenile court cases, she and her students also represent them in special education proceedings, school suspension proceedings, and other forums according to the clients' needs. Professor Waldman engages in policy work related to juvenile justice issues and teaches courses in juvenile justice and education law.
In Moderated Discussion 1, Randee Waldman will discuss the Inaccurate Perceptions of the Criminality of Black Men and Boys.
Vonnetta West
Speaker
Vonnetta L. West is currently the Director of Education and Training (The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change) in Atlanta, Ga. In this position, she researches, formats and facilitates the implementation of content for The King Center's Nonviolence365™ Education and Training. This initiative is derived from Dr. King's nonviolent leadership philosophy and methods and engages participants from various sectors, including emerging leaders, youth, non-profit professionals, law enforcement, educators, entertainers, and media. Vonnetta is passionate about social justice, inspiring people to be their best selves, helping youth realize their potential, and service as a way of life. In pursuit of these passions, she focuses on engaging people in three key areas: leadership development, education and training, and service learning.
In Concurrent Session A, Vonnetta West will discuss Local Efforts Aimed to Prevent Community Violence: Evidence and Practice-based Strategies.