Ala Stanford Explained

Nationality:American
Education:Pennsylvania State University (MD)
Years Active:2006–present
Profession:Pediatric surgery

Ala Stanford is an American pediatric surgeon. She is the founder of R.E.A.L. Concierge Medicine and the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium. She is also the first African-American female pediatric surgeon to be trained entirely in the United States.

Early life and education

Stanford was born in Germantown, Philadelphia to a teenage mother. A few years later, her father went off to college while her mother worked, leaving Stanford in charge of her younger brother.[1] Following high school, Stanford enrolled at Pennsylvania State University for her undergraduate degree and medical degree. Upon graduating from the Penn State University College of Medicine, Stanford finished her residency at SUNY Downstate Medical Center and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.[2] Stanford subsequently became the first African-American female pediatric surgeon to be trained entirely in the United States.[3]

Career

Following her fellowship at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Stanford joined the faculty at Temple University in September 2006. A year later, she was promoted to director of the Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities at Temple University School of Medicine.[3] In this role, Stanford partnered with Allegheny West Foundation to improve the quality of life for area residents.[4] As a result of her efforts, Stanford was recognized with the Shirley Chisholm Award from the Philadelphia Congress of the National Congress of Black Women.[5] She eventually left Temple University to become the director of pediatric surgery at Abington Memorial Hospital. While there, she completed life-saving surgery on a baby from Haiti.[6] Through her hospital connections, Stanford also established Stanford Pediatric Surgery, LLC, It Takes Philly. Inc, and R.E.A.L Concierge Medicine.[7]

During the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Stanford recognized racism in medicine amongst the distribution of vaccines. As such, she left her role as a pediatric surgeon to work full time to address health disparities in Black communities during the pandemic. This led to the establishment of the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium (BDCC), which combined a group of around 200 healthcare professionals.[8] By February 2021, Stanford and the BDCC had vaccinated nearly 4,000 people of marginalized areas.[9] She was also recruited by Philadelphia sports teams, such as the Philadelphia Flyers, to encourage fans to get vaccinated.[10] As a result of her efforts, she was recognized by Forbes magazine as a woman over the age of 50 who was changing the world.[9] Stanford was also named one of Fortune Magazines 50 Greatest Leaders[11] and recognized by CNN as a Top 10 hero.[12] [13]

In October 2021, Stanford opened the Ala Stanford Center for Health Equity to offer primary care and behavioral health services to adults and children in North Philadelphia.[14] Later that month, she also removed her name from consideration to be Philadelphia's next health commissioner.[15]

Awards and honors

Personal life

Stanford married Byron Drayton on March 30, 2020.[22]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Palmer . Seth . Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Ala Stanford . Pennsylvania State University . December 24, 2021 . March 9, 2021.
  2. Web site: Ala Stanford, MD . Abington Health . December 24, 2021.
  3. Web site: Accomplished pediatric surgeon Ala Stanford Frey to head Temple's Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities . . December 24, 2021 . August 6, 2007.
  4. Web site: Community outreach starts with youth . Temple University . December 24, 2021 . November 5, 2008.
  5. Web site: April 18, 2008 . Temple University . December 24, 2021 . April 18, 2008.
  6. Web site: Haitian toddler to get care at Abington Memorial . ABC 7 . December 24, 2021 . July 19, 2010.
  7. News: Mitchell . John N. . Historic surgeon opens Abington practice . December 25, 2021 . . October 7, 2017.
  8. Web site: Lopez-Lloreda . Claudia . Meet the Black Physicians Bringing Covid Vaccines to Hard-Hit Philadelphia Communities . . December 25, 2021 . April 23, 2021.
  9. Web site: McGrath . Maggie . Dr. Ala Stanford And The Women Who, Ages 50 And Over, Are Leading The Fight Against Covid . Forbes . December 25, 2021 . February 26, 2021.
  10. Web site: All Flyers players, staff to be fully vaccinated before start of season . ABC 6 . December 25, 2021 . September 15, 2021.
  11. Web site: Dr. Ala Stanford . Fortune . December 25, 2021 . 2021.
  12. Web site: Toner . Kathleen . This CNN Hero is fighting to save lives in Philadelphia's communities of color through Covid-19 vaccination and testing . . December 25, 2021 . June 24, 2021.
  13. Web site: Berkery . Patrick . Doctor Recognized for Leading the Charge to Fight COVID in Philadelphia's Underserved Neighborhoods . Keystone News . December 25, 2021 . November 24, 2021.
  14. Web site: Feldman . Nina . The Black Doctors Consortium's primary care clinic in North Philly is now open . PBS . December 25, 2021 . October 27, 2021.
  15. Web site: Dr. Ala Stanford no longer vying to be Philly's next health commissioner, citing potential conflict . PBS . December 25, 2021 . October 31, 2021.
  16. Web site: Dr. Ala Stanford – The Philadelphia Award . . The Philadelphia Award . 16 May 2022.
  17. News: Tilitei . Leanna . Comcast's Brian Roberts and Black Doctors Covid-19 Consortium's Dr. Ala Stanford to receive Philadelphia Award . 17 May 2022 . Philadelphia Business Journal . . 12 August 2021.
  18. News: Murphy . Darryl . 'Real hero': Dr. Ala Stanford wins award named for late U.S. Sen. Harris Wofford . 7 December 2022 . . 6 January 2021.
  19. Web site: Dr. Ala Stanford, 2021 Dare to Understand Award Recipient . globalphiladelphia.org . Global Philadelphia . December 7, 2022 . May 26, 2021.
  20. Web site: 28 March 2022 . Meet USA TODAY's Women of the Year . 5 September 2022 . . en.
  21. Web site: 29 October 2021 . CNN honors 10 men and women for making the world a better place . CNN.com.
  22. News: Patrick Gates . Kellie . Philadelphia weddings: Ala Stanford and Byron Drayton . December 25, 2021 . The Philadelphia Inquirer . April 23, 2019.

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