Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
Dr. Floyd B. Willis is a family medicine doctor in Jacksonville, Florida. He received his medical degree from Morehouse School of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years. Dr. Floyd B. Willis has expertise in treating chronic diabetes, chronic high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy, among other conditions.
Mississippi State Department of Health Comprehensive Cancer Control Office of Preventative Health Equity, Jackson, MS
Ms. Catherine Young is the Director of the Mississippi Comprehensive Cancer Control Program in the Office of Preventive Health at the Mississippi State Department of Health where she provides oversight and management for all program-related activities, serves as the lead for the overall day-to-day program and grant operations; coordinates with all state agencies, institutions of higher learning, and partners; coordinates state and local training; provides technical assistance and ensures required reports and documentation are submitted. She oversees the Mississippi Partnership for Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition (MP3C) to develop and implement a comprehensive cancer control plan to address the burden of cancer in Mississippi. Previously, her career has spanned over the last 11 years with Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the world’s largest breast cancer organization as the Executive Director/Senior Vice President of the Mississippi and Memphis, Tennessee affiliate. In this role, Catherine developed collaborative projects and partnerships with community organizations and oversaw the community grants program, evaluation, proposals, distribution, tracking, and auditing of all grant programs. She created and led a team of over 40 community leaders, healthcare workers, and researchers to form and implement the state’s first and only collaborative group dedicated to decreasing breast cancer disparities in African American women within the state. Catherine also created and hosted a podcast dedicated to promoting breast cancer awareness and survivorship. Catherine has served on several boards and task forces such as the Susan G. Komen Advocacy Advisory Task Force to address the disproportionate burden of breast cancer’s adverse effect on minority women, One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC), and the United Healthcare Community Plan. She is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. and held leadership positions within the organization. Catherine received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Business Management from Belhaven University. She is currently pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Public Health at Walden University.
Catherine is the wife of James Young and they have two children, James Jr. and Brittany, a adopted daughter Angel, and two grandchildren Jeremiah and Allison. In her spare time, Catherine enjoys baking.
The Positive Community Magazine, Montclair, NJ
Adrian Council, Sr., the CEO of The Positive Community Magazine, is making waves in the world of community-focused media. Let me share some insights about this remarkable publication and its impact.
Founder, You're Not Alone Prostate Cancer Self Help Support Group
JERRY C. KNIGHT, is the Founder of “YOU’RE NOT ALONE PROSTATE CANCER SELF HELP SUPPORT GROUP” of Jackson, MS. He is a native “Mississippian,” an advocate for Prostate Cancer, Salesman, EMS Driver, and a former Small Business Owner. As a 5-year Prostate Cancer Survivor, Jerry regularly and passionately shares his cancer journey with male organizations, men’s church groups, and at targeted health and wellness events. He and his wife Connie currently reside in Ridgeland, MS. They are the proud parents of 7 children, 19 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. Jerry aspires to effectively impact men on all levels, by raising awareness focusing primarily on the African American Community.
University North Carolina
Dr. Eric Wallen received his medical degree from the University of California at Los Angeles and completed his residency in urologic surgery at Stanford University. After residency, Dr. Wallen served as the Assistant Professor of Urology in the Department of Surgery at Dartmouth Medical School. He joined the Division of Urology at the University of North Carolina (UNC) in 2003 and was appointed Urology Program Director in 2011. He is now a professor in the UNC Department of Urology and continues in his role as Program Director.
Dr. Wallen has been named one of America’s Best Doctors multiple times. He specializes in urologic oncology and robotic surgery and is a member of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.
He was instrumental in bringing robotic surgery to UNC and in the subsequent development of robust robotic surgical programs across several UNC surgical subspecialties. He is a founding member of the UNC Computer and Robotic Enhanced Surgery Center (CARES) Advisory Board.
As Residency Program Director, Dr. Wallen oversees the training of urologic resident physicians. In 2012, Dr. Wallen received the American Urological Association (AUA) Teacher of the Year award.
Dr. Wallen also developed the UNC Department of Urology’s mentoring program for residents and faculty. These educational achievements led to Dr. Wallen’s election to the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Urology Residency Review Committee in 2017. In 2019, he was appointed to the ACGME Milestones 2.0 project to update the standard assessment for urology residents. He was also appointed to the AUA Education Council to evaluate lifelong learning opportunities for urologists in practice.
Dr. Wallen obtained philanthropic support to establish the UNC Men’s Health Program and serve as the Executive Director of this collaborative, multi-departmental effort across UNC’s Medical School, the School of Public Health, the athletic department, and the North Carolina Translational and Clinical Institute (NC TraCS).
Dr. Wallen’s interest in global health has taken him to Cuba and China on multiple visiting professorships. He also developed the UNC Project Malawi, which established an elective rotation for urology residents to experience healthcare delivery in Malawi.
In addition to his clinical and educational roles, Dr. Wallen’s research interests include robotic surgery, outcomes, and translational research.
Representative G.A. Hardaway (D-TN) is a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, representing District 93. He assumed office in 2006. His current term ends on November 5, 2024.
Hardaway is running for re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 93. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 5, 2024. He advanced from the Democratic primary on August 1, 2024.
Biography
Hardaway earned his B.S. in finance from DePaul University. He is a real estate investor.