The Honorable Shirley Nathan–Pulliam, Maryland House of Delegates

Delegate Shirley Nathan-Pulliam was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates on November 8, 1994 and was reelected in 1998 and 2002.  She is the first Caribbean-born person and the first African-American Registered Nurse elected to the Maryland General Assembly in its 360-year history. She is a leading advocate for improved health care for the underserved and has played major roles in sponsoring legislation creating the Healthcare Disparities Prevention Act, HB 883 and establishing the Office of Minority Health and Health Care Disparities, HB 86. By profession, Delegate Nathan-Pulliam is a Registered Nurse with years of experience as a quality assurance coordinator, head nurse and team leader at hospitals in the Baltimore metropolitan area.  She holds an Associate of Arts degree from Baltimore City Community College, BS degree in Nursing from the University of Maryland and a Masters degree in Administrative Science from The Johns Hopkins University, School of Business and Professional Studies.

Delores C. Datcher, Ed D., C. Datcher & Associates LLC

Delores T. Datcher, Ed D, president and CEO of C-Datcher & Associates, has provided health education, community outreach, educational curriculum planning, training and health intervention services with a focus on health disparities, particularly cancer disparities to populations in Southern Maryland, since July 1998.  Dr. Datcher has 31 years experience in education and supervision and has served as the principal investigator for University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Maryland Special Populations Cancer Research Network Southern Maryland regional contract since 2001.  Dr. Datcher conducts a wide variety of prevention and control activities to reduce cancer and health disparities including patient navigation. In addition to her work with higher education, the ministerial alliance and other related groups she is a member of Health Partners, Charles County, NAACP and numerous other prestigious organizations.

Mary S. DeShields, MD, Medical Oncologist, Senior Investigator & Director of the Cancer Clinical Trials Program, Shore Regional Cancer Center, Shore Health System

Dr. Mary S. De Shields received a BS in Pharmacy from Florida A&M University and obtained a medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine.  She completed an Internal Medicine residency at Christiana Care Hospital, Wilmington, Delaware, and a fellowship in Medical Oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. De Shields is board certified in Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology, and Hospice and Palliative Care Medicine and serves as Director of the Cancer Clinical Trials Program for Shore Health System of Maryland.  In addition, Dr. De Shields is Co- Investigator for the Maryland Special Populations Cancer Research Network.  Dr. De Shields is the 2004 recipient of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Best Practices Award for Increasing Availability of Community-based Cancer Clinical Trials in Rural Eastern Shore Maryland.

Sonia Mora, Director, Latino Health Initiative, Montgomery County, Department of Health and Human Services

Sonia Mora is currently the Manager of the Latino Health Initiative at the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services in Maryland, where she is responsible for overseeing all technical, management, and fiscal activities relating to the Latino Health Initiative (LHI), a unique program that aims to address the needs and wishes of Latinos in Montgomery County, Maryland for culturally competent and linguistically appropriate help services. Ms. Mora received a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences from Marymount University and is currently completing her Master in Public Health degree at Walden University. She is also Adjunct Instructor for the Center for Global Health at the George Washington University.

Joy Bramble, Publisher, The Baltimore Times

Joy Bramble is publisher of several community newspapers in Maryland, including The Baltimore Times, Annapolis Times, Shore Times and Prince George's County Times. Bramble also founded Times Community Services (TCS), Inc., a philanthropic foundation of The Baltimore Times Newspapers where she is currently chair of the Board of Directors. Organized in 1998, TCS’ mission is to improve the quality of life for African Americans and other minorities by promoting health behaviors, reducing health disparities, and empowering people with health awareness and positive stories.  TCS and The Baltimore Times has effectively utilized both print and broadcast media to disseminate health specific information and programs throughout the State. Ms. Bramble sits on several boards and commissions including The University of Maryland School of Medicine Board of Trustees, Maryland Education Coalition and Goodwill Industries.

Diana Harrison, Rural Health Initiatives Director, South Atlantic Division, American Cancer Society

Diana Harrison holds the position of Rural Health Initiatives Director for the American Cancer Society’s South Atlantic Division. A 21-year veteran with the Society, Ms. Harrison has served in several capacities, including Regional Vice President for West Virginia and various positions in Finance, Information Systems, Income Development, Human Resources and Field Operations. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from West Virginia State College. She is an active member of the West Virginia Cancer Coalition, serving as an Advisory Board Member on the Steering Committee. She is also a member of the West Virginia and National Rural Health Association. A native West Virginian, Diana has a lifelong passion for rural health delivery and the cancer patient.

The Honorable Elijah E. Cummings, United States Congress

First sworn in as a Member of the United States House of Representatives in April 1996, Congressman Cummings is now in his sixth term in Congress. He serves on the House Government Reform Committee, is the Ranking Member of the Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee and is a member of the Wellness and Human Rights Subcommittee. In the Maryland General Assembly, he served as Chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus and was the first African American in Maryland history to be named Speaker Pro Tem, the second highest position in the House of Delegates. Congressman Cummings attended Howard University and graduated in 1973 with a degree in Political Science. Mr. Cummings then graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1976. He practiced law for nineteen years before entering Congress.