The Chicago-based American Medical Association (AMA) on May 14 announced the hiring of Aletha Maybank, M.D., M.P.H., as its first ever chief health equity officer. Dr. Maybank is joining the association after serving as deputy commissioner and founding director of the Center for Heath Equity within New York City’s public health department.
In a press release, the association stated that, “In her new role at the AMA, Dr. Maybank will launch the AMA’s Center for Health Equity which will work to embed health equity across the organization so that health equity becomes part of the practice, process, action, innovation, and organizational performance and outcomes. She will also be tasked with building organizational capacity to elevate the importance of and to sustain the AMA’s health equity efforts,” the press release noted.
And the release quoted James L. Madara, M.D., the AMA’s CEO and executive vice president, as stating that “The AMA is uniquely positioned to positively shape health care in our country and improve the lives of all Americans. With the hiring of Dr. Maybank and the beginning of her work, we aspire to advance our mission by reducing disparities and increasing health equity to improve health of all populations.”
What’s more, Dr. Madara stated, “Dr. Maybank has deep expertise and experience in health equity and working with communities of color that have experienced historical disinvestment. We are excited by her vision, her vigor, and the opportunity to address the myriad reasons for health disparities and health inequity, including juvenile justice, bias, stereotyping, prejudice and clinical uncertainty, and the fact that chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension disproportionately affect underserved populations.”
The release quoted Dr. Maybank as stating that “It is with great honor and privilege to be afforded this opportunity to embed health equity at the AMA, a leading force in healthcare. The pursuit of health equity is a pathway towards excellence in our healthcare system–one that ensures the valuing of human experience and rights. For this reason,” she said, “I am grateful for the leadership and commitment of the AMA Board of Trustees to prioritize health equity as a critical way forward for the AMA. Threading health equity into the fabric of the AMA requires urgency, patience, and perseverance. Although the AMA and physicians cannot control all conditions that need to change to achieve health equity, the AMA has a role to identify their importance and to urge those who can have a direct role to act.
With regard to the origin of the position, the press release noted that, “At the 2018 Annual Meeting, the AMA House of Delegates passed a sweeping new policy to define health equity and outline a strategic framework toward realizing the goal of achieving optimal health for all. The path forward included establishing a structural home for the effort, complete with dedicated resources, staff and budget, and a multi-year programmatic roadmap. Dr. Maybank will lead that effort.”
