Title
To recognize Dr. Darrell Gray, II MD and the Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center PACE program for their community engagement efforts and their work at promoting equity in digestive health.
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WHEREAS, Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of cancer related death among men and women in the United States; and
WHEREAS, there are significant disparities in the colorectal cancer incidence, mortality, and screening rates within underserved populations in the United States - particularly among minorities, individuals with limited financial resources, and limited social capital; and
WHEREAS, Colorectal cancer although largely preventable, when screening tests are regularly administered - and curable when detected at an early stage - many age appropriate individuals, particularly the uninsured and people with limited-incomes remain unscreened and are not currently up-to-date with their screening - which translates into a clear disparity in incidence and unfortunately, mortality among these groups; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Darrell M. Gray, II and the staff of “The Division” of Community Engagement and Equity in Digestive Health Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition recognized that there is an unmet need for educational programs that address barriers and limitations to high-quality health care that could eliminate these disparities; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Gray and The Division recognizing that every patient, no matter their race, ethnicity, language, socioeconomic status, or sexual identity - should receive high-quality, safe, timely, and patient-centered care created the PACE Program as a collaborative effort between the OSU Wexner Medical Center Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (GHN), The OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital, The Solove Research Institute, and multiple community and private organizations for the purpose of reducing disparities in the Colorectal Cancer Continuum - from prevention to survivorship; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Gray and the PACE Program, with the belief that equity is everyone’s business, has not only engaged the residents of Columbus and Central Ohio in this educational effort to eliminate and reduce disparities but has also engaged leaders, clinicians, and researchers in other communities who have also committed themselves to identifying disparities, finding solutions, and translating these solutions into practice, which ultimately lead to better health outcomes; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby recognize Dr. Darrell Gray, II and the Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center PACE program for their community engagement efforts and their work at promoting equity in digestive health.