Overview
Welcome to the Department of Neurology's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Our department is committed to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our work, including our faculty, staff, and patient care.
Faculty and Staff
We believe that diversity is a strength that enriches our department and enhances our ability to provide the best possible care to our patients. To achieve this, we actively recruit faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds who bring various experiences and perspectives to our team. We also strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
Our faculty and staff come from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and we are committed to providing opportunities for professional growth and development for all members of our team. To champion this commitment, we have recently hired Stephanie Bissonnette, MD as Associate Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Read more about her background here.
We also have a commitment to diversity in patient care, and recognize that our patient population is diverse. We are committed to providing culturally sensitive care that meets the needs of each individual we serve. Our department is comprised of a team of healthcare professionals trained in cultural competency and working to ensure that our patients receive the highest quality care in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Below you will find grants, publications, events, and resources highlighting our commitment to diversity.
About the Associate Vice Chair of DEI
Publications
- Erin Sullivan-Baca, Sara A Lorkiewicz, Rizwana Rehman, Anne C Van Cott, Alan R Towne, Zulfi Haneef. Utilization of epilepsy care among Women Veterans: A population-based study. Epilepsy Res. 2023 May; PMID: 37004372 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2023.107130
- Felton III WL, Kornstein SG, Gondwe T, Huynh C, Wallenborn JT, Henry J. Evaluation of an electronic health record alert to improve screening and management of cardiovascular disease and stroke factors in a high-risk population. Southern Medical Journal, 2022; 115(3):232-237. PMID: 35237844
- Warren L Felton III, MD, Susan G Kornstein, Christine Huynh, Saba W Masho (deceased), Tamala Gondwe, Jordyn T Wallenborn, Jeneane Henry. A Stroke and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Alert in the Electronic Health Record Increased Prescriptions for Smoking Cessation In Women. American Heart Association Stroke Journal. 30 Jan 2019. https://doi.org/10.1161/str.50.suppl_1.WP377 Stroke. 2019;50: AWP377
- Ruland S, Richardson D, Hung E, Brorson JR, Cruz-Florres, Felton III WL, Ford-Lynch G, Helgason C, Hsu C, Kramer J, Mitsias P, Gorelick PB, AAASPS Investigators. Predictors of recurrent stroke in African Americans. Neurology 67(4):567-571, 2006.
Division Involvement
Dr. Alan R. Towne is a member of the American Epilepsy Society Advisory Committee, and the committee received a five-year $1.5 million dollar grant award from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Disrupting Disparities: Documenting and Addressing Gaps in Epilepsy Care through Healthcare Provider Education and Training.
- The project aims to improve outcomes for underserved people with epilepsy (PWE) by: (a) improving the epilepsy clinical knowledge of the non-specialist epilepsy care workforce and (b) deepening the understanding of social determinants of health and commitment to epilepsy self-management by the epilepsy specialist workforce.
VCU's Parkinson's and Movement Disorder Center (PMDC) is a member of the Richmond Brain Health Initiative (RBHI) and are working to locally implement an Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders (ADRD) aging services navigator, brain health wellness protocols and expand an existing caregiver support program. This programming aims to fill an ADRD support gap and create sustainable improvement in ADRD management, risk reduction, and caregiver services for our diverse community.
Now in its second year of a three-year, $1.2 million federal grant supporting its work, the co-directors of the RBHI Brian Berman, M.D., Director of the VCU Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center, Lana Sargent, Ph.D. APRN, Assistant Dean of Practice and Community Engagement, and Faika Zanjani, Ph.D. Associate Professor Department of Gerontology are looking to expand the number of people who take advantage of its services and to find additional funding sources to make it sustainable over the long term.
Hispanic community outreach events
- The PMDC is one of the 2022 recipients of the Parkinson’s Foundation community grants to further the health, wellness and education of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) across the nation. In July 2022, the Foundation distributed $2 million throughout 137 community-based grants that support local health, wellness and educational programs that address unmet needs across local PD communities.
- In April 2023, the PMDC hosted a community day for all person's with Parkinson's Disease and was translated for Hispanic patients with Parkinson’s disease that includes Spanish programs and translation of prior programs on YouTube.
- The grant will also fund the center's ability to provide Spanish literature/handouts in clinic to Richmond and the surrounding area's Hispanic population.
Understanding Diverse Perspectives in Parkinson’s Disease
- A two-year pilot study will begin shortly looking at barriers to care, beliefs about disease, factors influencing medical decision making, and experience with diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease for Black, Hispanic and Spanish speaking patients.
- Note: This study is also being conducted at Boston Medical Center and regional comparison(s) will be evaluated.
Our Neuro-immunology department is conducting a retrospective study of Ocrevus Treatment in MS that includes racial differences in response to the treatment.
They have also recently submitted an NIH funded grant application on Racial Disparities in the Treatment & Symptom Management of MS.
ALS Clinic
- In November 2022, Kelly Gwathmey, MD presented a retrospective study conducted by those at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health, identifying health disparities of Black vs White patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
- This presentation was given at the 2022 Annual NEALS Meeting in Clearwater, FL.
- Details of her finding can be found here: https://www.neurologylive.com/view/racial-disparities-reported-initial-presentation-als
Note: This study is still ongoing and hopes to have more information available for public release soon, including partnership with the CDC to compare our VCU experience to the national ALS registry.
Autonomic Center
- Recent grant application on Persistent Sympathetic Activation (PSA): A mixed method research project involving surveys and semi-structured interviews to better understand the lived experiences and perspectives of persons with conditions marked by PSA, particularly from marginalized, underserved patient populations. This project will focus on the health needs, perceptions, experiences and barriers to care of marginalized populations (e.g., minoritized, low-income, low-education, rural/medically underserved communities) and other vulnerable populations (e.g., Veterans).
Resources
Helpful resources and links
VCU Health Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
VCU School of Medicine (DEI)
American Academy of Neurology (AAN)
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Contact Us
VCU Neurology Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Attn: Stephanie Bissonnette
1101 E Marshall St
Box 980599
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0599
Phone: (804) 828-9000