MetroHealth and the Vernon Family Foundation Partner to Present Inaugural Multicultural Women’s Health Fair & Empowerment Expo

Multicultural Women’s Event

Cleveland, OH — The MetroHealth System and the Vernon Family Foundation are partnering to present the inaugural Multicultural Women’s Health Fair & Empowerment Expo, a day dedicated to supporting women from every background and stage of life to take charge of their health, well-being and personal growth.

This event is an example of MetroHealth’s commitment to eradicating the health disparities that lead to devastating statistics: Black women, for example, are at a higher risk for many serious health issues, including heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. And they are more than twice as likely to die from complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

Addressing this alarming scenario, MetroHealth President & CEO Dr. Airica Steed said, “Cleveland was recently named the least livable city in the nation for Black women. Minority women seeking health care often feel unheard or ignored, facing barriers that prevent them from accessing care and screenings, appropriate diagnoses and timely treatment. MetroHealth is committed to changing that, and we invite women of all backgrounds to join us for what promises to be an affirming, uplifting and inspiring day.”

“An important part of a woman’s well-being is her sense of herself,” said Dr. Victory Vernon of the Vernon Family Foundation. “We’re excited to work with MetroHealth to offer empowerment sessions aimed at helping women build a positive sense of self, to set personal goals and plan a strategy to reach them. My message to ladies is this: Remember, in order to achieve it, follow the ‘It Method’: Effort in front of it. Energy in it. Time up under it. And dedication to sustain it.”

The Multicultural Women’s Health Fair and Empowerment Expo is scheduled for Saturday, September 30, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Huntington Convention Center in Cleveland. The event will feature:

• Comprehensive health screenings encompassing diabetes (A1C), blood pressure, cholesterol, complete blood counts, kidney function, vitamin D levels, hepatitis B and C, pregnancy, sickle cell, sexually transmitted infections, and more – all at no cost.
• Opportunities to engage with MetroHealth’s women’s health experts.
• Empowerment sessions covering diverse themes such as communication and personal growth, career development, entrepreneurship, personal branding, and financial wealth management.
• Networking possibilities, connecting attendees with community organizations and invaluable resources.
• A job fair with multiple organizations offering on-site interviews.
• Inspirational special guests delivering messages of motivation and empowerment.
• Live music, entertainment, and other activities.
• Exclusive Interview – A League Of Her Own: Dee Haslam on Leadership, Building a Lasting Legacy, and Maintaining Loyalty in the Dynamic World of Sports and Media.
• Rise Up! Business Tank: A competition sponsored by the Vernon Family Foundation – A platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to pitch their business ideas or passion projects to a panel of judges for a chance to receive a cash scholarship to fuel their endeavors.
• Screening of “Below the Belt,” a groundbreaking documentary that exposes inequities in women’s health.

Dr. Steed’s passion to address health equities is borne of personal pain: She lost both her grandmothers, her mother, and younger sister due to inadequate care, misdiagnoses, and being denied access to timely screenings that may have saved their lives. Having experienced near-death preeclampsia during two pregnancies, a condition disproportionately affecting Black women, she strongly believes in rewriting the narrative.

“I know we can change the narrative,” Dr. Steed said. “We can come together, raise our voices, and demand the care we deserve. Together we can create a healthier community for every woman.”

This Multicultural Women’s Health Fair & Empowerment Expo is designed to build off the success of the MetroHealth Minority Men’s Health Fair, an annual event held each spring that offers education and more than 30 free screenings for health issues prevalent in minority men, including prostate cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, skin cancer, mental health concerns and other conditions. The event was founded by MetroHealth’s Dr. Charles Modlin, a trailblazing urologist and kidney transplant surgeon, who has committed his career to addressing health disparities.

For event registration, please contact 216-957-3862 or visit metrohealth.org/womens-health-expo.