He founded the SUNY Downstate Medical Center Minority Medical Student Emergency Medicine (MMSEM) Summer Fellowship - a mentoring program for underrepresented minorities in medicine. He is the founder of the Kings Against Violence Initiative (KAVI) which earned him recognition as a CNN Hero, entry into the Presidential Leadership Scholars Program, and other awards. Robert Gore, has been treating COVID-19 patients as an emergency room attending physician at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County and SUNY Downstate Medical Center (where he is also a faculty member). Jo-Ann has been appointed to the State task force on re-opening New York.ĭr. As you know the Asian American community (here in NY) have some of the lowest infection and death rates from the disease. Jo-Ann has been outspoken about discrimination faced by the Asian American community in the face of COVID 19. The organization was established in 1989 and represents a network of community service agencies including health and human services, education and economic development. Jo-Ann Yoo, Executive Director of the Asian-American Federation. VOCAL-NY is a statewide membership organization that focuses on low-income people affected by various social ills. She has been an outspoken critic of the way homeless individuals are treated - or not - and most recently how vulnerable they are during this pandemic. Paulette Soltani, Political Director, VOCAL-NY is recognized for her work across New York City in affordable housing and homelessness. Bryan Doerries facilitates the discussions with panelists: