Dr. Florence Odufalu

Gastroenterologist

Florence-Damilola “Damie” Odufalu, MD received her M.D. from the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. She completed her Internship and Internal Medicine residency at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Dr. Odufalu completed GI & Hepatology Fellowship training at Saint Louis University Hospital, and then an Advanced Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) fellowship at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Dr. Odufalu is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine, Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases at Keck School of Medicine (KSOM) of the University of Southern California (USC). Her primary clinical and research focus is on Inflammatory Bowel Diseases as it relates to IBD disparities, outcomes and therapeutics in immigrants and ethnic minorities with IBD.

Dr. Celicia Williams

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Dr. Celicia Little received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Florida State University, her Masters of Science in Nursing at the University of Central Florida and her Doctor of Nursing Practice at Johns Hopkins University. She has been a Nurse Practitioner for 9 years and has over 7 years of pediatric gastroenterology experience. Dr. Little is currently employed by Children's National Hospital, where she works as a Nurse Practitioner and serves as the Advanced Practice diversity, equity and inclusion representative. Her passion for teaching is not only expressed through her education and patient advocacy but is also expressed through her role as Assistant Professor of Pediatrics with Bowie State University.

Sneha Dave

Patient/Executive Director - Health Advocacy Summit

Sneha graduated from Indiana University in May 2020 where she majored in chronic illness advocacy as well as journalism. She created the Health Advocacy Summit and its program of Crohn’s and Colitis Young Adults Network with major funding from Helmsley Charitable Trust, the Lumina Foundation, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and more to create support systems for adolescents and young adults with chronic and rare conditions across the U.S. and internationally.

Dr. Darrell M. Gray, II

Gastroenterologist

Dr. Gray is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and graduate of Morehouse College and Howard University College of Medicine. He completed his residency at Duke University Medical Center, Gastroenterology fellowship at Washington University, and public health training at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health as a Commonwealth Fund Fellow. He is a nationally respected leader in advancing inclusion, diversity, equity and anti-racism. Dr. Gray has received numerous honors including the 2020 Healio Disruptive Innovator Health Equity Award, 2019 State of Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Health Equity Award, and induction into the 2017 class of National Minority Quality Forum 40 Under 40 Leaders in Health. However, Dr. Gray’s greatest achievements are being a husband and father.

Dr. Adjoa Anyane-Yeboa

Gastroenterologist

Dr. Adjoa Anyane-Yeboa is currently an Instructor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and a Gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Anyane-Yeboa treats patients with general gastrointestinal disorders and inflammatory bowel disease. Her research work is currently focused on the development of technologies to increases uptake of colorectal cancer screening in vulnerable communities. Her ultimate goal is to advance care, improve access, and eliminate disparities for vulnerable patient populations through health services research, community advocacy, diversity retention and recruitment efforts and policy. Dr. Anyane-Yeboa is a member of the American Gastroenterological Association, the American College of Gastroenterology, the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. She received her medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, completed her gastroenterology training at the University of Chicago Medicine, and received her Master’s in Public Health from the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health.

Cedric Pulliam, Ph.D.

Patient Advocate/Psychologist

Cedric Pulliam, Ph.D. currently serves as a senior public health expert in the US federal government with over 11 years of experience as well as a board certified clinical health psychologist. In 2019, he completed his postdoctoral fellowship as a Senior Health Equity Fellow at the Black AIDS Institute in Los Angeles, CA as a member of the Youth Health Equity Model of Practice Health Equity Fellowship program by the Office of Minority Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Dr. Sophie Balzora, MD, FACG

Gastroenterologist

Sophie M. Balzora MD, FACG, is a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Her interests include inflammatory bowel diseases and enhancing physician engagement and the patient experience through objective structured clinical exams (OSCEs). Dr. Balzora is Vice-Chair of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and co-founder of ACG's #DiversityinGI Social Media Campaign.

Brooke Abbott

Patient Advocate/Leader/Founder

Brooke is one half of IBDMoms and one whole of Crazy Creole Mommy Life. She is a single mother, patient, advocate, activist, non-profit director, business owner, student and a coffee aficionado. Brooke's life with IBD led her to a life of service as she advocates for patients and patients rights to healthcare on Capitol Hill. Her story has been featured in Women's Health Magazine, Prevention Magazine, L.A. Parent Magazine and USA Today. Brooke currently resides in Los Angeles, California with her child, Jax and two puppies, Betty and Winston.

Matthew McCurdy

Director of Programs of Health DesignED

Matthew McCurdy (he/him) is the Director of Programs of Health DesignED: The Acute Care Design + Innovation Center in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Emory University and is the President and Co-founder at BLKHLTH Inc, a non-profit that engages the public and health professionals on the impact of racism on the health of all Black people—then equips them to do something about it.

Tomiyo Williams.

Care Partner/Advocate

Tomiyo Williams is a health advocate and care partner for her daughter, Skye Williams. Skye was diagnosed 6 years ago (2015) initially with Ulcerative Colitis and then later diagnosed with Crohn's disease. As a care partner, Tomiyo has spread messages of hope and support to families about how to support a child and teenager who is battling the challenges of IBD. She has been featured on material with Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, WebMD and more. She prides herself on being able to offer support to parents as they navigate the ins and outs of digestive diseases. 

Skye Williams

Patient Leader

My name is Skye Williams. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease at age 14. I’ve been involved with advocating for and mentoring pediatric patients with IBD.

Joshua Denton

Patient

I am a 15 year Ulcerative Colitis patient that was officially diagnosed 3-4 years after initial symptoms. My symptoms also progressed from mild to moderate case during last colonoscopy back in 2014 and includes me experiencing 320+ days straight of internal bleeding (bowel movements) with approx. 15-23 bathroom trips daily at the peak of flare up.

Shawn Bethea

Patient Leader/Health Advocate

Blogger, Health Advocate and Digital Storyteller, Shawn Bethea was originally diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at 17 years old. Now, over 12 years later, Shawn lives with Crohn's Disease and uses her story to empower patients to take charge and become partners in their own healthcare. She is the founder of Two Fourth, a platform dedicated to social change and inclusion and the Communications Associate for Savvy Cooperative.

Dr. Aline Charabaty

Director of IBD Center/Gastroenterologist

Dr. Aline Charabaty is the Assistant Clinical Director of the Gastroenterology Division at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the Clinical Director and the Director of the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) Center at John Hopkins-Sibley Memorial Hospital. She is actively involved in educational and advocacy initiatives and Committees with the American Gastroenterological Association and the American College of Gastroenterology.

Dr. Julia Liu

Chief, Division of Gastroenterologist Morehouse School of Medicine

Dr. Liu completed her internal medicine training at Mayo Clinic Rochester and gastroenterology fellowship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. After her fellowship, she completed a research fellowship at the Harvard Center of Minimally Invasive and stayed on faculty for four years to investigate the mechanism of endoscopic anti-reflux procedures.

Dr. Vincent Obias

Chief division of Colon and Rectal Surgery at GWU, Professor of Surgery

Dr. Obias graduated from James Madison University with a bachelor's degree in science. He earned a master's degree in physiology from the Medical College of Virginia, where he also earned his doctorate of medicine. Dr. Obias completed a general surgery residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School, as well as a fellowship in colon and rectal surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and a fellowship at University Hospitals Case Medical Center-Advanced Laparoscopy Colon and Rectal.

Dr. Marie Borum

Professor of Medicine, Director of Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, George Washington University

Dr. Borum is a Professor of Medicine and Director of the Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases at The George Washington University Medical Center. She received her undergraduate degree from Princeton University, medical degree from Rutgers Medical School, Masters in Public Health and Doctorate in Education from the George Washington University. Her clinical and research interests have included inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer, liver disease, health care diversity and medical education. She has been involved in community outreach programs, multiple research projects and an invited speaker for regional, national and international programs She has been selected as a Top Doctor in Washington, D.C. and Top Doctor in America.

Tamika Felder

Patient Advocate, Speaker, Nonprofit Executive

Tamika Felder, is an award-winning television producer and host, international speaker, author and patient advocate. After a diagnosis of cervical cancer in 2001 at the age of 25, Tamika decided to use her experience and her voice to help educate other women about ways to prevent cervical cancer. She is a 19-year cervical cancer survivor or as she says, "Cervivor". She is the Chief Visionary at Cervivor – a nonprofit dedicated to cervical cancer advocacy and support. Tamika is the author of Seriously, What Are You Waiting For? 13 Actions to Ignite Your Life & Achieve the Ultimate Comeback. She's helped countless patients restart their lives after cancer.

Nicole Watson

Community Manager (COCCI), Patient Leader

Nicole is Lead Ambassador/Community Manager of Color of Crohn's and Chronic Illness (COCCI).  After being diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 1996 she, felt compelled to share her personal journey to help encourage and support others in their journey. Her leadership in and out of the IBD community has paved the way for her to become a recognized Patient Advocate. Nicole has been featured in Baltimore's Afro-American newspaper, health blogs, pharmaceutical campaigns, and participate in patient engagement panels.. Nicole's passion is to motivate and empower others to perserve through chronic illnesses and that adversities that accompany the journey. Nicole currently resides in Maryland with her son.

Stacey Worthy

Attorney, Counsel at Aimed Alliance

Stacey L. Worthy, J.D. is counsel to Aimed Alliance, a not-for-profit organization that works to protect and enhance the rights of health care consumers and practitioners. Ms. Worthy provides unique legal insight through research and analysis of laws, regulations, and legislation; assists with advocacy initiatives; offers policy analysis and drafting; and supports coalition-building efforts of allied organizations focused on advancing common goals. She frequently engages in educational and outreach activities with employers on the topic of employee protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family Medical Leave Act. Ms. Worthy is also a principal attorney at Sequel Health Law.

Dr. Antoinette Saddler, MD

Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases at The George Washington University

Dr. Antoinette Saddler is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Care Sciences. She received her undergraduate degree from Harvard University, medical degree from Case Western Reserve University and completed her internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship at Cornell University. She is recognized as one of the top gastroenterologists in Washington, D.C. area with special expertise in nutrition. 

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Dr. Thaddeus S. Stappenbeck M.D., Ph.D.

Chair, Department of Inflammation and Immunity
Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio

Thaddeus Stappenbeck received his B.A as a member of the Integrated Science Program at Northwestern University, as well as his M.D and Ph.D. from Northwestern University Medical School. Dr. Stappenbeck currently serves as the chair of Inflammation and Immunity at Cleveland Clinic, where his research program focuses on understanding the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. His lab uses approaches in immunology, developmental biology, cell biology, and microbiology to make fundamental discoveries in this area including a recent discovery that specific fungi inhibit healing. He serves on scientific advisory boards for Science Immunology, as well as several companies in the area of inflammatory bowel diseases. He has collaborated extensively with many other investigators and published over 160 articles in high impact journals, while successfully training 14 fellows and 11 graduate students.

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Dr. Aja McCutchen

Bio-Partner and physician leader 

Bio-Partner and physician leader in second largest private GI practice in US. First African American woman to serve on the executive committee. Chairman of Quality improvement. Crohns and colitis advocate, moderator and founder of northeast Georgia chapter. Chairman diversity, equity and inclusion DHPA legislative and Advocacy entity representing 99 GI practices nationwide. Advocate for health care disparity solutions

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