John Daniels and Shamika Mazyck Discuss Disparity in Health Equity and COVID-19 Vaccine in Business Insider Article

Milwaukee - Chair Emeritus John Daniels and Shamika Mazyck wrote an opinion article for Business Insider that discussed steps healthcare organizations should take to ensure that racial and ethnic minorities are fairly and equitably included in ongoing clinical trials and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.

As the vaccine moves beyond the trial stage, Daniels and Mazyck urge healthcare providers and industry leaders to be purposeful in addressing the issues that can cause minority communities to be underserved throughout the vaccine rollout. Additionally, healthcare providers and industry leaders must include clear and consistent education and communication with their employees, enabling entire health organizations to become educators and advocates within communities across the country.

In the publication, the authors reference a Kaiser Family Foundation study that states that Black and Hispanic Americans receiving the vaccine is lagging far behind the same groups' share of overall COVID cases and deaths. A crucial step in demonstrating a commitment to health equality in the handling of the COVID-19 vaccine is if health governance teams take an active role in ensuring where the vaccine is administered and offer it to minority communities.

Daniels is the firm's current Chair Emeritus and a devoted civic leader. He focuses on developing the vibrancy of the community, including diversity and inclusion. He has been recognized as a top 50 African American lawyer in the United States and has spearheaded a national effort around health equity that has received national praise. Daniels is a graduate of Harvard Law School.

Mazyck is an attorney with the firm's Health Law Practice Group and assists pharmacies, long-term care facilities, and acute hospitals with regulation and accreditation issues. Mazyck received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Home College, her Master of Science From Wayne State University and her Juris Doctor from Indiana University - Robert H. McKinney School of Law.