People of color were diagnosed with COVID-19 at a higher rate than their white counterparts. | Stock Photo
People of color were diagnosed with COVID-19 at a higher rate than their white counterparts. | Stock Photo
Following suspensions amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pennsylvania Society has awarded Dr. Ala Stanford, CEO and founder of Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium, with a 2021 Society Gold Medal as recognition for her committed and effective response to the crisis in the southeast part of the state.
“Congratulations to Dr. Ala Stanford on this prestigious and well-deserved achievement,” Gov. Tom Wolf (D) wrote in a Aug. 16 Tweet. “Your work throughout the pandemic has saved countless lives, and for that, we owe you a debt of gratitude.”
Stanford will receive the award on Saturday, Dec. 4, in New York City, for her work with Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium, which created testing and a vaccine alternative for people of color who were being diagnosed at a higher rate than their white counterparts, according to Penn Live Patriot-News.
Dr. Ala Stanford
| Stanford Pediatric Surgery
“While there are countless examples of Pennsylvanians who have stepped up in significant ways during the pandemic — many of whom we have recognized on social media through our Pennsylvania COVID Heroes campaign — Dr. Ala Stanford stands out for her ability not just to recognize a problem, but to then create a unique solution and put that solution into action with powerful results,” Edward Sheehan, Jr., president of The Pennsylvania Society, told Penn Live Patriot-News.
Stanford’s consortium offered free COVID-19 testing, vaccination distribution and Uber rides for local people interested in getting tested. The organization has conducted over 25,000 COVID-19 tests and more than 51,000 vaccinations, including 1,000 homebound patients.
The Gold Medal for Distinguished Achievement event honors prominent citizens in leadership, citizenship and contributions to various fields. Stanford is the first black woman to receive the award in the 112 years of the award’s history.
“Dr. Stanford’s Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium is truly inspirational work worthy of celebration. And all of Pennsylvania can be proud as Dr. Stanford’s personal life journey has touched communities all across our commonwealth,” Sheehan told Penn Live Patriot-News.
Stanford is a pediatric surgeon whose practice is located in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania.
Alerts Sign-up