NJ Hospital Docs Discuss COVID Vaccines For Black Families: VIDEO

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — How has the coronavirus impacted Black households, and why is getting a COVID-19 vaccine a “family affair?” These were some of the questions highlighted during a recent webinar in New Jersey (watch the video below).

The virtual event – hosted by the North Jersey chapter of The Links, Incorporated – featured seven physicians from the RWJBarnabas Health network of hospitals, including the Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Clara Maas Medical Center and Saint Barnabas Medical Center.

The webinar was moderated by Robert Giles, MD, Assistant Director, Emergency Medicine at Clara Maass Medical Center. Panelists included Stephen Ford, MD, Internal Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Rahway, Marilyn McArthur, MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Arnold Wilson, MD, Psychiatry, Behavioral Health Center, Michael Straker, MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clara Maass Medical Center, Nelson Keyes, MBBS, MD, Internal Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Leah Dungee, RN, Maternal Child Health Services, Jersey City Medical Center.

“This distinguished panel of physicians, nurses and health leaders provided a broad overview of the impact of COVID on African Americans and discussed the impact of the vaccination on our community,” said Heather Martindale, president of The North Jersey Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.

“We are grateful and honored these medical experts joined us to have an honest and collaborative discussion about the health of our community, including the impact of the virus on our mental health in addition to our physical health,” Martindale said.

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