(left to right) Dr. Ngozi Nwankpa, the Rev. Al Sharpton, Dr. Theresa Mack, and Dr. Venis Wilder
Two PAGNY physicians were honored to play leading roles in this year’s African American Day Parade held Sept. 17th in Harlem: Dr. Camille Clare, Obstetrician/Gynecologist at NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan, was a Grand Marshall and Dr. Ngozi Nwankpa, Obstetrician/Gynecologist at NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem, served as a Marshall.
Dr. Clare and Dr. Nwankpa walked the parade’s entire 25-block route to help reinforce this year’s theme of “Salute to a Better Health” and serve as strong advocates for health care for the underserved.
Dr. Clare, who was one of seven Grand Marshalls, was nominated by a member of the Manhattan Central Medical Society (MCMS), the local affiliate of the National Medical Association, the largest and oldest organization of African-American physicians in the United States. Dr. Clare serves as president of MCMS.
“It was an honor to be recognized for the work I’m doing in the community,” Dr. Clare said, “and to advocate for the underserved and for the issues devastating our community—diabetes, hypertension, the need for preventive health. The opportunity to advocate for my patients and health policy was important for me.”
Dr. Nwankpa—who was nominated by one of her patient clients, producer Roz Nixon, to serve as one of nine Marshalls—helped kick off the parade, which ran along Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. from 111th Street to 136th Street.
“It is important for the community to see who their doctors are,” she said. “It is important for them to see doctors who look like them and serve them. It’s an important message to be out there—not only for the community but also for the youth of our community to see what the possibilities are professionally.”
“I’ve been committed to serving the community, particularly underserved areas, throughout my career. Offering a service that helps to close the gap in health disparities is work that I am passionate about,” she added. “It was an opportunity to connect with the community—to send a message that we are here to serve you, we want you to be in optimal health. So it was an honor to be a part of that and to know our efforts are appreciated.”