National Medical Association Regions III and V convene at Southern University for Healthcare Justice Conference

Physicians, healthcare leaders, policymakers, researchers and trainees from across the South gathered April 10–12 at Southern University and A&M College for the National Medical Association Regions III and V Regional Conference, marking the first time the conference has been held at a historically Black college or university.

Held under the theme “The New Reconstruction: Mobilizing Healthcare Justice for a New America,” the conference brought together leaders in medicine, public health and education to address persistent health disparities, structural inequities and strategies for improving healthcare delivery in underserved communities.

“This conference represents more than a convening—it is a movement,” said Ninita Brown, chair of NMA Region III. “We are mobilizing leaders who are committed to rebuilding healthcare systems that prioritize justice, access and accountability.”

Derick Young, chair of NMA Region V, emphasized the importance of collaboration across the region.

“Together, Regions III and V are committed to advancing policy, innovation and clinical excellence that improves outcomes for Black communities,” Young said.

The conference featured keynote addresses, policy discussions, clinical education sessions and community-focused conversations on health equity, workforce development, HIV prevention and community-centered care.

National leaders in medicine and academia participated in the event, including Roger Mitchell Jr., president of the National Medical Association; Maurice Sholas, trustee for NMA Region V and a Southern University alumnus; Reynold Verret, president of Xavier University of Louisiana; and Rani Whitfield, a family and sports medicine physician known as “The Hip Hop Doc.”

A featured session, “HIV and Subspecialty: The Significance of Routine Testing,” highlighted the importance of early detection and routine testing in reducing transmission and improving long-term health outcomes, particularly in underserved communities.

Hosting the conference at Southern University underscored the role of historically Black colleges and universities in preparing the nation’s healthcare workforce.

“It was a tremendous honor to welcome the National Medical Association to Southern University,” said Sandra Brown, dean of the College of Nursing and Allied Health at Southern University. “Hosting this conference on an HBCU campus for the first time is both historic and affirming as it underscores the vital role our institutions play in educating the healthcare workforce and advancing outcomes across communities. At Southern University, we are deeply committed to preparing the next generation of leaders, and this moment reflects the national recognition of that impact.”

Conference organizers said the event highlighted the continued importance of HBCUs in building a diverse, culturally competent healthcare workforce prepared to meet the nation’s evolving healthcare needs.