Family Focus

Gantt Center series to discuss disproportionate effect of COVID-19 on black community

As the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture continues its Unmasked series, the discussion dives deeper into how healthcare has specifically played a role in the disproportionate effect of COVID-19 on the black community.

Key members of Atrium Health's leadership team and Mecklenburg County's public health director will weigh in on how structural issues in the health care system have fostered a deeper disadvantage for black people, specifically during this time of crisis.

The conversation will be guided by questions around bias and lack of access, and will culminate with actionable steps healthcare providers like Atrium Health can enact for a sustainable and equitable future.

It will stream the discussion live on the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture YouTube page. Audience members can join the chat throughout the evening with relevant questions for the moderator and panelists.

Viewing this program is free and open to the public. To chat during the program and contribute your perspective to the conversation, you can create a YouTube account with a Gmail email address prior to the program. Click here for a step-by-step tutorial on creating a YouTube account.

To further add to the discussion, you can complete a 2-minute audience survey here. The results will be reviewed at the end of the program.

About the panelists:

Gary Little, MD, MBA Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Atrium Health Metro Division

Since June 2018, Dr. Little has served as the Chief Medical Officer of Atrium Health’s Metro Division. In this role, Little leads and coordinates initiatives in quality, patient safety, physician and APP engagement, clinical operations, and system integration for the Charlotte area acute care hospitals.

Fernando G. Little, MSL Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer, Atrium Health

Fernando leads broad, collaborative efforts throughout Atrium Health’s operations and academic programs to foster diversity, inclusion, culturally competent care, inclusive purchasing, language access, and health equity for diverse and underserved populations.

Gibbie Harris, MSPH, BSN Public Health Director, Mecklenburg County

Gibbie Harris was named director of the Mecklenburg County of Health Department in October 2017. Harris is responsible for managing the Department of over 800 public health professionals and a budget of $72,000,000. The work encompasses clinical services, preventive health, case management, health partnerships and population health.

If you have an inspiring story to share, email Kevin Campbell, WSOC-TV/WAXN-TV/Telemundo Charlotte public affairs manager, at Kevin.Campbell@wsoctv.com.