As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, Stanford said, she recognized that a disproportionate number of people of color were being diagnosed, hospitalized and dying from COVID-19, largely because they lacked access to resources and health care. This was exacerbated by a medical system that has been untrustworthy to Black Americans, both historically and current day, according to Stanford, who added that the pandemic put the spotlight on health inequities and the importance of trust between patients and health care personnel as an essential factor and necessity to improve health outcomes.
In her presentation, titled "The Power of One: Stories of Triumph During the Pandemic," Stanford will discuss how to create a path forward to help eliminate health disparities in the U.S., and share her journey on how the power of one vision can galvanize many to shared purpose, and for the greater good of the most vulnerable.
As regional director, Stanford’s priorities focus on health equity, COVID-19 recovery and response, maternal health, opioid abuse and prevention and mental wellness, in addition to other public health concerns of the nation and those that specifically impact Region III.
In addition to her role with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, a post to which she was appointed by President Joe Biden in April 2022, Stanford has been a practicing physician for over 25 years. She is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery in both pediatric and adult general surgery. She is the former director of the Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities at Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; is a member of the Philadelphia Board of Health; the Philadelphia Department of Health COVID-19 advisory board; and a trusted national leader and public health advocate. In addition to opening a Center for Health Equity to improve health outcomes in communities with the lowest life expectancies, her organization was responsible for providing nearly 100,000 COVID-19 tests and vaccinations. She was recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Admiral Rachel Levine and Surgeon General Vivek Murthy as demonstrating best health practices and a national model in the midst of a public health crisis.
Stanford has received many accolades, notably as a 2021 Top 10 CNN Hero and a 2021 George H.W. Bush Points of Light Award recipient. She was named a Penn State Alumni Fellow in October 2022. In winter 2022 she led a FEMA mission, Region III team, to help vaccinate students in the Philadelphia School District. She also launched a mobile vaccination unit in Southeastern Pennsylvania neighborhoods, which were particularly impacted by COVID-19.
The annual Mayers Lecture was created in honor of Dr. Stanley P. Mayers Jr., co-founder of Penn State’s undergraduate program in health policy and administration, who retired after a distinguished 26-year career with Penn State. Mayers served as the head of the Department of Health Policy and Administration for nine years and also in roles as associate dean for undergraduate studies and associate dean for academic studies in the College of Health and Human Development. Mayers died on Jan. 3 of this year.
See details on the 25th Annual Stanley P. Mayers Endowed Lecture and learn more about the Department of Health Policy and Administration at Penn State.