Advocacy and Empowerment Program

This session features Dr. Madhav Vissa, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist who specializes in inherited blood disorders, such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia. Since SC diseases affect individuals throughout their lives, he is grateful to have training that allows him to continue working with his patients as they leave childhood behind. He has a particular interest in the transition from pediatric to adult care and hopes to partner with adolescents and young adults as they learn to take ownership of their health. He also cares for children with blood cancers and other blood disorders. In research, Vissa examines how new blood disorder treatments can target an individual patient's symptoms, with the goal of tailoring treatment plans for each patient. Vissa earned a master's degree in human nutrition from Columbia University before earning his medical degree at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. He completed a residency in internal medicine and pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where he served as chief resident. At UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, he completed a fellowship in pediatric hematology and oncology. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT: The 2022 Advocacy and Empowerment Program Course Training is a program for the sickle cell community inspired by Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness of San Francisco, non-profit. This program spans over 9 months of the year, with one 2-3 hour meeting sessions every month. It is led by experienced sickle anemia disease medical professionals and patient community leaders who are working to broaden awareness and improve healthcare for sickle cell patients. For more information about our organization and resources, visit: https://www.scaasf.org/ For information about our 2022 Advocacy and Empowerment program and list of speakers, visit: https://www.scaasf.org/advocacy-and-empowermentt

This session features Eugene Canson, a public health professional and community advocate who is passionate about improving the health and well-being of individuals in underserved and marginalized communities. Eugene believes that public policy and community advocacy has a significant impact on population health and well-being. Therefore, in efforts to improve the vitality, longevity, and well-being of our communities, he continues to be an advocate for equitable policies and solutions that positively impact society. Since moving to the Bay Area in 2018, Eugene has worked diligently to advocate for innovative and proactive solutions in efforts to address the alarming health inequities that exist in California. Eugene holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Indiana University, and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) from Pacific Union College. He is also an inducted member of the Delta Omega National Honorary Society for studies in public health. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT: The 2022 Advocacy and Empowerment Program Course Training is a program for the sickle cell community inspired by Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness of San Francisco, non-profit. This program spans over 9 months of the year, with one 2-3 hour meeting sessions every month. It is led by experienced sickle anemia disease medical professionals and patient community leaders who are working to broaden awareness and improve healthcare for sickle cell patients. For more information about our organization and resources, visit: https://www.scaasf.org/ For information about our 2022 Advocacy and Empowerment program and list of speakers, visit: https://www.scaasf.org/advocacy-and-empowermentt

This session features Shirley Powell, a sickle cell warrior, who was led on a journey of discovering a holistic way to overcome her health challenges through God’s natural provisions and living by holistic principles. For the next 25 years, she experienced only two pain episodes, and she was able to experience vigor and vitality that she did not know was possible, without any drugs or surgery. She also permanently overcame hypothyroidism, eczema, IBS, chronic UTI’s and URI’s, and other issues. In 2001, she co-founded and was the executive director of an alternative medicine practice and health ministry in metro D. After formal coursework through the International Institute of Original Medicine, in 2005, she received her degree as a Doctor of Naturopathy, Certified Health Practitioner, and Certified Nutrition Counselor, specializing in corrective and remedial nutrition for healing, wellness, and weight loss. She then launched Temple Care: Body, Mind & Spirit, a holistic natural healing and wellness practice, helping people overcome a variety of health challenges. Until her semi-retirement in 2016, she had offices in Northeast Alabama, Maryland, and the DC metropolitan area. She is author of "Making Friends With Food - Honoring the Body Temple Nutritionally; from 2005 to 2015, she was writer and editor of monthly e-newsletter, "Healthy Living"; she has been host and guest on various health and wellness radio programs; conducted healthy food preparation demonstrations; taught Overcoming Abuse and Setting Boundaries for the Christian Women's Job Corp; and had been a member and volunteer of various service and outreach organizations. She is originally from North Jersey, lived in the DC metro area for three decades, lived in northeast Alabama for ten years, and is now happily a resident of Southern California. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT: The 2022 Advocacy and Empowerment Program Course Training is a program for the sickle cell community inspired by Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness of San Francisco, non-profit. This program spans over 9 months of the year, with one 2-3 hour meeting sessions every month. It is led by experienced sickle anemia disease medical professionals and patient community leaders who are working to broaden awareness and improve healthcare for sickle cell patients. For more information about our organization and resources, visit: https://www.scaasf.org/ For information about our 2022 Advocacy and Empowerment program and list of speakers, visit: https://www.scaasf.org/advocacy-and-empowermentt

This session features Asi-Yahola Boutelle, a community health activist and graduate student living in New York. He holds Master's Degrees in Biomedical Sciences and Bioethics, and is currently pursuing his MPH (Master's in Public Health) and M.D. (Medical Doctor degree). --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT: The 2022 Advocacy and Empowerment Program Course Training is a program for the sickle cell community inspired by Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness of San Francisco, non-profit. This program spans over 9 months of the year, with one 2-3 hour meeting sessions every month. It is led by experienced sickle anemia disease medical professionals and patient community leaders who are working to broaden awareness and improve healthcare for sickle cell patients. For more information about our organization and resources, visit: https://www.scaasf.org/ For information about our 2022 Advocacy and Empowerment program and list of speakers, visit: https://www.scaasf.org/advocacy-and-empowermentt

This session features Dr. Mohammed Sani Bukari, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, Division of hematology and oncology, Department of internal medicine UCSF Fresno (Joined Sept 2017). ​ He discusses details and importance of bone health and iron overload in this session. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT: The 2022 Advocacy and Empowerment Program Course Training is a program for the sickle cell community inspired by Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness of San Francisco, non-profit. This program spans over 9 months of the year, with one 2-3 hour meeting sessions every month. It is led by experienced sickle anemia disease medical professionals and patient community leaders who are working to broaden awareness and improve healthcare for sickle cell patients. For more information about our organization and resources, visit: https://www.scaasf.org/ For information about our 2022 Advocacy and Empowerment program and list of speakers, visit: https://www.scaasf.org/advocacy-and-empowermentt

This session features Dr. Keith Quirolo and Pat Corley. Keith is a pediatrician has dedicated over 20 years to the care of children, adolescents, and adults who have sickle cell disease. Pat is a RN and has committed her life to service for more that 40 years, advocating for and providing high quality care to patients most in need. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT: The 2022 Advocacy and Empowerment Program Course Training is a program for the sickle cell community inspired by Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness of San Francisco, non-profit. This program spans over 9 months of the year, with one 2-3 hour meeting sessions every month. It is led by experienced sickle anemia disease medical professionals and patient community leaders who are working to broaden awareness and improve healthcare for sickle cell patients. For more information about our organization and resources, visit: https://www.scaasf.org/ For information about our 2022 Advocacy and Empowerment program and list of speakers, visit: https://www.scaasf.org/advocacy-and-empowermentt

This session features Judy Cavazos, PhD is a Clinical Psychologist at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland in the Department of Hematology, working with patients living with SCD and their families, the Department of Gastroenterology, and in the Department of Psychiatry with the Behavioral Emergency Response Team within the Emergency Department assisting patients with crisis de-escalation and completing 5150 assessments for youth who are suicidal or have attempted suicide. She also serves as a member of the integrative medicine and pain committees at UCSF, pursues research on sickle cell disease, and completes neuropsychological evaluations with adult patients with sickle cell. For the last 14 years, Dr. Cavazos has worked with underserved youth and their families at two different children's hospitals and several community mental health and medical clinics, working with individuals affected by mental health and medical issues, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, immigrant families, and youth involved in the criminal justice system. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT: The 2022 Advocacy and Empowerment Program Course Training is a program for the sickle cell community inspired by Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness of San Francisco, non-profit. This program spans over 9 months of the year, with one 2-3 hour meeting sessions every month. It is led by experienced sickle anemia disease medical professionals and patient community leaders who are working to broaden awareness and improve healthcare for sickle cell patients. For more information about our organization and resources, visit: https://www.scaasf.org/ For information about our 2022 Advocacy and Empowerment program and list of speakers, visit: https://www.scaasf.org/advocacy-and-empowermentt