BALTIMORE, MD (May 15) --The Sixth Annual Maryland Minority Health Disparities Conference, sponsored by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities will take place on Tuesday, May 19 at Morgan State University Student Center, 1700 East Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD 21251 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  

The conference will provide participants with strategies for optimizing minority health care delivery and health outcomes during times of economic restructuring.  Participants will take part in presentations and panel discussions that focus on initiatives to reduce health disparities and improve minority health; learn strategies in health literacy that can improve minority health decision making; learn successful approaches in community-based interventions; and discover ways in which the establishment of patient-centered medical homes can lead to better health outcomes and coordination of care for diverse communities.  

Scheduled speakers include:

• DHMH Secretary John M. Colmers

• Congressman Elijah E. Cummings

• Dr. Earl S. Richardson, President of Morgan State University

• Dr. Allan S. Noonan, Dean of the School of Community Health and Policy at Morgan State University

• Delegate Shirley Nathan-Pulliam

• Dr. Mohammad N. Akhter, Executive Director of the National Medical Association

• Other experts from around the state