Magdala Chery, MBS, DO, MPH

2020-2021

Health Equity Clinical Specialist, Google

 
Dr. Magdala Chery, MBS, DO is a Health Equity Clinical Specialist at Google. Before completing the Commonwealth Fund Fellowship, she was an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford, NJ. Named one of South Jersey Magazines Top Docs in 2018 and 2019, Dr. Chery is among South Jersey’s leading physicians making a noticeable impact in the health care world. She was selected to be an Albert Schweitzer Fellow in 2010 as well as a New Leaders Council Fellow for the New Jersey Chapter in 2018, which shows her longstanding dedication to public health and service. Outside of the office, she is an in-demand motivational speaker who has delivered many keynotes at events across the nation. Most recently, she has suffered the loss of her father to COVID-19. Through this tragic experience, she personally witnessed the impact of injustice and racism in our healthcare system. Realizing that her father’s story was simply an amplified narrative that exists in our communities, she turned her pain into purpose and created the #NotJustABlackBody campaign. This platform is dedicated to honoring the Black lives cut short by COVID-19, while equipping the community with knowledge about the injustice and racism embedded in the healthcare system. Dr. Chery is also passionate about expanding the conversation on primary care and health in minority communities outside of the exam room/office. She has an interest in evaluating policy to address trauma-informed care for Black women, social determinants of health unification into the electronic medical record, and the integration of mental health in primary care. Dr. Chery received her medical degree from Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine (formerly UMDNJ School of Osteopathic Medicine) in 2014 and completed her internal medicine residency at the University of Connecticut in 2017.

September 6, 2023 | Black Health Connect

In celebration of those who are driving change within the healthcare industry, our annual campaign will be shining a light on top achievers from all walks of life. From medical students to business executives and researchers to policymakers - every year we honor exemplary individuals for their commitment towards promoting diversity and equity in this sector. The criteria for selection includes leadership, innovation, community service, advocacy efforts and professional success as it relates to healthcare.

February 12, 2021 | The Commonwealth Fund

“What do Black Women Want from Healthcare? - The “BELIEVE US” Report”

Host Organization: Health in Her Hue (HIHH)

Objectives:

1.  To collect qualitative and quantitative data about Black women on the Health in Her Hue (HIHH) platform documenting their lived experiences as Black women, their interactions within the US healthcare system, and their vision for a health care system that is responsive to their needs.

2.  Gather information to assist with strategic planning for Health in Her Hue to expand access and services offered on the platform.
 
Background:

Despite the significant improvements in the health of Black woman in the United states over the past few decades, there is evidence that Black women continue to fare worse in many health categories – such as cervical cancer, heart disease, maternal mortality, and others. Many of this has been linked to large gaps in access to quality and innovative care. To date minimal solutions have been identified to help substantially close these disparity gaps. However, Health in Her Hue (HIHH) reaffirms the importance of moving beyond just pointing to the disparities to offering potential solutions. Health in Her Hue (HIHH) is a digital platform that is Black owned, Black founded, and for Black Women.

Health In Her HUE was founded in 2018 and serves as a platform in the femtech market space that connects Black women and women of color to culturally competent and sensitive healthcare providers, and offers health information and content that centers Black women’s lived experiences. Their mission is to reduce racial health disparities by leveraging the power of technology. This is accomplished by bringing awareness to health and wellness issues in a relevant, engaging, and accessible way. To date there are over 50,000 subscribers to the platform, and over 800 providers listed in their network for users to connect with and seek out for care. As the platform continues to grow, they are seeking out ways to expand access and services to Black Women and women of color.

The purpose of this project is to provide recommendations to the Health in her Hue platform which may be used to guide services implemented on the platform as well as inform policy directed at improving health care delivery for Black women.

Methods: 

1.  Performed a literature review to pinpoint documented evidence the impacts of discrimination on health, the health care experiences of Black women, and the physiological framework of radical healing in communities of color.
2.  Engaged subscribers and providers on the HIHH platform to identify areas of focus for the survey and focus groups.
3.  Developed two-part survey and focus group protocol that will be used to collect data from users on the platform.

Results:

Currently in progress – Part 1 Survey launches in May ‘21. Projected timeline for full completion
of project and release of report is winter 2021. 

Future Direction: 1. Produce “The Believe Us” report with findings from survey and focus groups with policy recommendations.

Preceptors: Ashlee Wisdom, MPH