As a journalist, I am excited to bring you a special podcast series celebrating National Minority Health Month in partnership with UPMC Health Plan. In our third episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Camille Clarke-Smith, who serves as the program director of quality improvement/Medicare/SNP STARs at UPMC Health Plan. Dr. Clarke-Smith oversees the UPMC for Life Medicare Faith and Wellness Program, which takes a holistic approach to community support.
Dr. Clarke-Smith’s background as a health activist and wellness advocate has led her to approach community health through spiritual and community engagement with faith-based organizations and Medicare-enrolled members. Under her leadership, the program addresses social determinants of health and cultural barriers by emphasizing physical, mental, and personal wellness.
Like UPMC Health Plan’s Freedom House 2.0 and Pathways to Work program, which we discussed in our previous episode, Dr. Clarke-Smith’s program is focused on providing comprehensive support to the community. By recognizing the importance of physical, mental, and personal well-being, Dr. Clarke-Smith and her team are working to make a lasting impact on the health of minority populations.
We invite you to listen to the podcast above or on popular podcast services like iTunes, TuneIn, Stitcher, and Spotify. Join us as we explore the innovative work being done to address minority health disparities and create a healthier future for all.
UPMC Health Plan is committed to promoting minority health awareness during this month-long celebration. We hope that our podcast series will inspire you to take action towards creating a more equitable healthcare system for all individuals.