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Content provided by Dr. Rolanda Lister and 2024 Impact StatementThis April, during Black Maternal Health Month, Dr. Rolanda Lister, Asst. Professor, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and her partners, launched "Celebrating Black Motherhood," an event that sought to transform the conversation around Black maternal experiences. Sadly, Black women face a 2-4 times higher risk of pregnancy-related death compared to their white counterparts. Understandably, this creates a climate of fear and anxiety for many expectant Black mothers.

On Monday, April 22nd, 2024, the Tennessee State Museum buzzed with energetic optimism as community health advocates, researchers, and healthcare professionals gathered for the Spring 2024 Equity and Engagement Café. Hosted by the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance, the event aimed to spark conversation and collaboration around community-engaged research and its role in achieving health equity.

The MVA Interprofessional Education Program: A Decade of Impact For ten years, the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance (MVA) Interprofessional Education (IPE) Program has empowered future healthcare leaders to address the roots of health disparities. The program's recent culmination saw teams of diverse health students present powerful community projects, marking a milestone in this groundbreaking initiative. Bridging Education and Community Action

On Wednesday, April 3, 2024, the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance team ventured out to Top Golf for a spirited team-building session that proved to be a valuable investment in professional growth and team cohesion. We began with our dedicated storytelling session. Team members willingly shared personal anecdotes, demonstrating vulnerability, resilience, and the diverse experiences that shape us.  By uncovering hidden connections and shared values, we built stronger interpersonal relationships.

The Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center hosted its 2nd Annual Finding God in Alzheimer's conference on February 28, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee.

The work of individuals like Christopher ('Kitt') Carpenter, the E. Bronson Ingram University Distinguished Professor at Vanderbilt University, shines as a beacon of hope and direction in the struggle for health equity. Carpenter, an esteemed scholar with deep roots in economics, health policy, and a suite of interdisciplinary studies, leads the charge as the Director of the Vanderbilt Center for Research on Inequality and Health.

Community-engaged research stands out among Dr. Selove's practices for its inclusive approach to solving health-related issues. This approach emphasizes the importance of involving community members in the research process, ensuring that studies are not only about the community but also by and for the community. Community-engaged research has produced more relevant and sustainable outcomes, as it leverages the unique insights and lived experiences of community members. Dr.

The Spring 2024 Equity & Engagement Café, hosted by the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance, will feature presentations from Nashville health equity leaders and networking activities developed to foster community-engaged collaboration.

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Ain Ealey is earning her M.Ed. in Community Development and Action from Peabody College and Vanderbilt University. Her research interests include community health, artificial intelligence, and local culture preservation.