Building stronger communities through research: MEWI’s Community Advisory Board

Published on Thursday, September 26, 2024

The Myrlie Evers-Williams Institute (MEWI) is committed to driving meaningful change in health care, and at the heart of that mission is the Community Advisory Board (CAB). This group of dedicated volunteers serves as a critical bridge between University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) researchers and the broader Mississippi community.

The CAB is made up of community activists, professionals, and volunteer leaders who provide valuable input on clinical trials, population-based studies, and biobank participation. Their goal? To ensure that UMMC’s research reflects the needs and voices of all Mississippians—especially those from underserved populations.

Meetings of the Community Advisory Board feature guest speakers. Featured speakers have included PhD students from UMMC's John D. Bower School of Population Health (SOPH) McKing Amedari and Christopher Clark; SOPH assistant professor and director of the Center for HIV/AIDS Research, Education, and Policy at MEWI, Dr. Mauda Monger; and UMMC trauma and acute-care surgeon, Dr. Matthew Kutcher.

Led by Chair Nic Lott, the CAB members bring diverse perspectives to the table, actively participating in the refinement of research policies and standards. They help make sure that the groundbreaking work being done at UMMC truly addresses the health challenges faced by communities across the state. Their contributions strengthen our research and guarantee that we remain community-focused in all that we do.

Meet the CAB members:

Yalanda Barner
Cornelius Beasley
Julio Del Castillo
Stone Clanton
Suzie Foote
Thomas Harvey
Deiondria Lee-Sanders
Varria Larry
Mike Oropeza
Sandra Shelson
Aggie Sikora
Zakiya Summers
Joshua “Ryder” Taff
Terrence Yarbrough

Their passion for improving public health makes the CAB a vital part of MEWI’s efforts to address health disparities and improve outcomes for all Mississippians. Through their advice and advocacy, MEWI is able to conduct research that is inclusive, culturally sensitive, and impactful.

For more information on the CAB or how to get involved, contact us at mewi@umc.edu.