Washington, D.C. – On October 27, 2018, United Medical Center (“UMC”) hosted an all-day program training local men to lead conversations in Southeast, DC barbershops on mental health wellness and resilience. This was the first program of its kind in Southeast, DC and is part of UMC’s continued effort to improve the health of the community through community outreach and education.
UMC’s Dr. Nnemdi Elias and Dr. Erin Athey created this initiative after being awarded the Robert WoodJohnson Clinical Scholars Fellowship. Dr. Elias shared her motivation for this, “Positive mental health underlies the social and intellectual skills that will be needed to meet the new challenges of the 21st century.Dr. Athey added, “By engaging these men, we are building a cohort of health ambassadors to help reduce the stigma around mental health in Southeast DC.” UMC CEO Matthew Hamilton noted, “We are fortunate to have the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars Program and the Mayor’s Commission on Fathers, Men, and Boys as such willing partners.”
For more information about this program, please contact Pearly Itticathara at [email protected]
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About United Medical Center
The Not-for-Profit Hospital Corporation, commonly known as United Medical Center, is a not- for-profit, District of Columbia hospital dedicated to the health and well-being of the people of Southeast Washington, D.C. and surrounding Maryland communities.
