Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine Sponsors Black History Month Forum

More than 100 medical students, faculty and members of the administration were in attendance, as well as C. Virginia Fields, the CEO of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS and the former Manhattan Borough President. Dr. Robert Goldberg, dean of TouroCOM, welcomed the attendees and then ceded the floor to Dr. Bert M. Petersen Jr., who organized the event. Dr. Peterson introduced Nirah Johnson, LMSW, a project specialist from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Dr. Samuel Daniels, assistant chief of gastroenterology at St. Lukes-Roosevelt Hospital Center, and Gloria Searson, MSW, the founder of the Coalition on Positive Health Empowerment.

All three presentations focused on different aspects of Hepatitis C and HIV. Johnson discussed how the Health Department monitors the spread of Hep C and how deadly it can be when combined with HIV. Dr. Daniels said that there are new treatments available, including medications that wouldn't cure Hep C, but would cause the virus to lie dormant. Searson encouraged people to take an active role in reducing the spread of the illness and to seek both traditional and alternative treatments, but in consultation with a physician.

Dr. Goldberg presented adjunct professor Dr. Icilma Fergus with TouroCOM’s Black History Month Award for her dedication, leadership and support for TouroCOM’s Community Advisory Board.