Health Forum panelists will discuss health disparities of COVID-19

Continuing the theme of delving into issues surrounding COVID-19, the upcoming Health Forum of West Michigan event will center on health disparities.

State and local health experts will serve as panelists for "A Discussion of the Health Disparities of COVID-19," on Friday, December 4. The virtual event will run from 8-9:30 a.m.; register online by noon on December 3 to receive an email with the link to the Zoom webinar.

Panelists are Robert Orellana, senior epidemiologist, COVID-19 Corps, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; Dr. Khan Nedd, founder and chief medical officer for Infusion Associates and CEO for Answer Health; and Dr. Leslie Pelkey, chief medical officer for Cherry Health.

Jesse Bernal, vice president for Inclusion and Equity and executive associate for presidential initiatives, will serve as moderator. Jean Nagelkerk, vice provost for health, will give a welcome.

Health Forum of West Michigan events fall on the first Friday of each month. The series is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan; partnering with the Office of the Vice Provost for Health are the Midwest Interprofessional Practice, Education and Research Center; MSU College of Human Medicine; and the Michigan Center for Clinical Systems Improvement.

Save the date on January 8, at 8 a.m., for the 12th annual West Michigan Health Care Economic Forecast. The virtual event will pair a presentation by economic faculty members analyzing health risks and trends with a panel presentation by leaders from three area hospitals. Visit gvsu.edu/vphealth/healthcheck for more details and to register.