Photo ID: (Top L-R): Dr. Nadine Burke Harris and Dr. Camara Phyllis Jones

(Bottom L-R): Actress/Host Garcelle Beauvais and Christina Anthony

The Association of Black Women Physicians presents its 40th Annual Charity and Scholarship Benefit GalaSaturday, October 23rd, 5-6:30 PM PST. This notable event will be produced virtually and can be viewed at the ABWP website, using this link https://www.blackwomenphysicians.org/annual-charity-gala, and Facebook Live. The event is a Complimentary viewing event. ABWP is requesting donations only. Interested viewers must register at the ABWP website.

With a theme of S.H.E., (Serve, Heal, & Excel): Leads with Passion & Purpose, this year’s event will feature an array of distinguished participants, led by this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award honorees Dr. Nadine Harris Burke, first ever Surgeon General of the state of California; and Dr. Camara Phyllis Jones, 2021-22 UCSF Presidential Chair at the University of California, San Francisco. As part of its annual commitment to the development of outstanding African American female physicians, ABWP will acknowledge twelve student scholarship recipients attending medical schools across the US.

The event continues to attract a wide range of significant sponsor support.  Anthem Blue Cross, Optum, Charles R. Drew University College of Medicine, and McPherson & Sway are this year’s Diamond Sponsors. Additional supporters include Drs. Gerianne Dudley and David Griffins (Gold Sponsors), Molina Healthcare, the California Wellness Foundation, Blue Shield of California/Black Employees Network, and UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine (Silver Sponsors). Children’s Hospital LA, Pro Black Health, USC Keck School of Medicine, Cedar-Sinai Medical Center, Dr. Jesse L. Sherrod, and Kaiser Permanente are Bronze Sponsors.

Congresswoman Karen BassState Senator Sydney KamlagerAssemblywoman Autumn Burke, and County Supervisor Holly Mitchell will serve as Special Guest Commentators. Dr. Ada Stewart, President of the American Academy of Family Physicians, and former US Surgeon General Dr. Joycelyn Elders are scheduled to be among the VIPs in attendance.

Actors/personalities Garcelle Beauvais and Christina Anthony will serve as Mistresses of Ceremonies. Entertainment will be provided by Grammy nominated  singer/songwriter, B.Sladerapper Tia P., and comedian Taquita LoveAri 4Rari is the DJ for the evening.

As an organized network of Black women physicians, ABWP is committed to the improvement of public health and welfare, through the advancement of knowledge concerning women and the community health.  They endeavor to enhance the personal and professional quality of life of present and future Black women physicians and empowers Black women to lead in community-wide health and wellness premiere educational programs. The organization creates and supports numerous events that continue the tradition and goals set forth by the original charter members.

Over the years, ABWP has been engaged in a wide variety of outreach efforts including its highly successful Sister to Sister Mentorship program, a guided mentorship for Black women physicians, physicians in training, and pre-medical university undergraduate students. ABWP also partners with Gilead Sciences in an HIV prevention program, and actively encourages its network of service providers to support of National Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month.