African Americans in Medicine

Supporting the theme of this multi-city tour, The Power of Creative Arts in Health & Healing, HFAS will recognize the contributions of African Americans in Medicine selected regionally from various medical institutions in a celebration of “African Americans in Medicine.”

2023 Honorees

The Glasshouse, New York City

Rogelio Thomas, MD, MPP, FASAM

Dr. Thomas, a Board Certified Internist and addiction specialist, holds the position of Chief Executive Officer and Managing member at HOHA, bringing a wealth of experience in preventive medicine, public health, and health policy. With a strong commitment to community care, he has served as a consultant Medical Director for various NYC agencies, contributing to services for the homeless, addiction recovery, and HIV-related care, while also serving as an educator and actively participating in professional committees and task forces.

Monique Gary DO, MSc, FACS

Monique Gary DO, MSc, FACS, a board-certified breast surgical oncologist and medical director of the Grand View Health/Penn Cancer Network cancer program, holds clinical faculty appointments at prestigious institutions. As a renowned expert on cancer and healthcare disparities, she actively contributes to the field, appearing in various media outlets and playing a crucial role as the sole black breast cancer surgeon in Pennsylvania.

Ogori N Kalu, MD, MS

Ogori Kalu, MD, MS, a breast surgical oncologist and breast health specialist with roots in New York, completed her education and training at esteemed institutions, including a breast surgical oncology fellowship at Stanford University. Having served as a medical director and director of Breast Surgery, she continues her impactful work in the Greater New York/New Jersey community, focusing on breast health education and addressing healthcare disparities in minority communities through publications and presentations at national and international conferences.

Sara Horton, MD

Dr. Sara Horton, a board-certified Medical Oncologist, currently holds the position of Executive Director of Access and Diversity at Quantum Leap Healthcare, focusing on enhancing minority representation in breast cancer clinical trials. With over 20 years of experience in oncology, she has dedicated her career to addressing cancer disparities, serving in leadership roles, including Chief of Hematology and Oncology at Howard University Hospital, and advocating for diversity in clinical trials, evidenced by her initiatives at the FDA and co-founding the Oncology Diversity Working Group.

Melissa Boneta Davis, PhD

Melissa Boneta Davis, PhD, has joined Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) as the inaugural Georgia Research Alliance (GRA) Distinguished Investigator, leading the Institute of Genomic Medicine. Formerly Scientific Director at Weill Cornell Medicine, she brings her expertise to MSM as a Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and assumes the role of Director at the Institute of Genomic Medicine.

Theresa Mack, MD, MPH

Dr. Theresa Mack, a board-certified primary care physician and Assistant Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine, serves as the Medical Director of Mount Sinai Doctors Faculty Practice in Harlem. With expertise in Internal Medicine, Nephrology, and HIV Medicine, she has been a steadfast advocate for underserved communities, ensuring quality care in Harlem and delivering lectures nationally to diverse audiences.

Dial Hewlett, Jr., MD, FACP, FIDSA

Dr. Dial Hewlett Jr., currently serving as the Medical Director of the Division of Disease Control and Deputy to the Commissioner of Health at the Westchester County Department of Health, brings extensive experience in COVID-19 prevention, treatment, and vaccination, as well as expertise in Tuberculosis and Public Health Research. Prior to his role in public health, he had a distinguished career at Pfizer for over two decades, contributing to the launch of significant vaccines and antimicrobial agents, and has held academic positions at New York Medical College, receiving awards for Teaching Excellence.

Hon. C. Virginia Fields

C. Virginia Fields assumed the role of President and CEO of Black Health (formerly the National Black Leadership Commission on Health) in 2008, overseeing its expansion to 11 affiliate chapters across the nation. With a background in social work, she served as the President of the Borough of Manhattan and a member of the New York City Council, making history as the first African-American woman to run for Mayor of New York City in 2005.