In this episode Dr. Marshall Chin discusses how AI and predictive algorithms are reshaping healthcare, and how bias can harm marginalized patients. He explains real-world examples of racial bias in clinical tools, the challenges of opaque “black box” models, and the need for transparency.

Dr. Chin outlines five guiding principles—problem choice, data quality, explainability, community involvement, and accountability—to ensure algorithms promote equity rather than entrench injustice.

Dr. Marshall Chin, MD, MPH, is a general internist with extensive experience improving the care of vulnerable patients with chronic disease. Dr. Chin is the Richard Parrillo Family Professor of Healthcare Ethics at the University of Chicago and the Associate Director of the MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics. He has worked to advance diabetes care and outcomes on the South Side through health care system and community interventions. He also leads initiatives to improve health strategies at a national level as director of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)'s Finding Answers: Solving Disparities Through Payment and Delivery System Reform Program Office and Co-Director of the Merck Foundation's Bridging the Gap: Reducing Disparities in Diabetes Care National Program Office. Dr. Chin's major research focus is on improving shared decision making among health professionals and LGBTQ racial/ethnic minority patients. He has led investigations on health disparities in diabetes care in health centers serving vulnerable populations with limited assets.

Special Communication Health Informatics: Guiding Principles to Address the Impact of Algorithm Bias on Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health and Health Care. Marshall H. Chin, MD, MPH; Nasim Afsar-Manesh, MD, MBA, MHM; Arlene S. Bierman, MD, MS et al

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2812958 

Full AI Symposium at NMA JULY 2025 Convened by Cobb Institute:  

https://www.thecobbinstitute.org/webinar-series 

In this episode of Cobb & Co, the institutes President Dr. Randall Morgan speaks with Nina Uzoigwe, an MD/PhD candidate at NYU and SNMA leader, about her journey from Brooklyn to cardiac research and clinical care. They discuss the MD/PhD pathway, Nina’s RISE UP summer program that exposes high school students to physician-scientist careers, and the importance of representation, mentorship, and documenting impact.

Nina encourages listeners from diverse backgrounds to pursue MD/PhD opportunities, to ignore naysayers, and to use their unique experiences and leadership to advocate for their communities --- uplifting the next generation of physician-scientists. Dr. Morgan and Nina also explore future collaboration possibilities. and the Cobb Institute's Scholars Program. 

Episode 16 of Cobb & Company features Dr. Brenda Jamerson, CEO and founder of iSimcha Health, in a conversation with host Rolf Taylor. Dr. Jamerson shares how AI-powered tools like ResearchLinQ are transforming the way clinical trial information is translated into plain language and how people can be connected to studies that align with their location and personal health goals.

Fresh from speaking at the Cobb Institute’s Symposium on AI in Healthcare, Dr. Jamerson explains how artificial intelligence can help dismantle barriers to accessing healthcare—and, in particular, the clinical trial barriers that drive disparities in participation. She describes how AI speeds up and scales plain-language conversion, reduces literacy obstacles, enables conversational chat features, and supports more representative and precise trial matching.

The discussion also explores the promise—and the challenges—of ensuring that AI remains ethical and unbiased, while expanding both health literacy and research literacy. Together, these innovations point toward a future where more people have equitable access to cutting-edge medical research and the potential benefits it brings.

The Cobb Institute Clinical Trial finder (https://www.thecobbinstitute.org/trial-finder) is designed to assist patients and their healthcare teams identify clinical trial participation opportunities, and is powered by ResearchLinQ. 

Dr. Brenda Jamerson is CEO and Founder of iSimcha Health, a health information company providing digital tools dedicated to making medical advances and clinical trial opportunities understandable and accessible to all. Dr. Jamerson is also Adjunct Assistant Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC.

Cobb & Company is featuring interviews with speakers from our AI symposium, which the Cobb Institute recently convened at the NMA Annual Convention. Titled Code, Context, & Care - Artificial Intelligence at the Crossroads of Healthcare, Research, & Workforce Development - the symposium explores the role of AI in shaping scientific direction and operational decision-making.  Speakers considered the ethical, methodological, and policy-related challenges of conducting research in a landscape shaped by shifting language norms and increasing use of data-driven technologies.

You can review the full symposium program - and a video recording  - on the Cobb Institute website using this link: https://www.thecobbinstitute.org/webinar-series 

Production Credits: Hosted, edited & engineered by Rolf Taylor.

Symposium development: Tiffany North Reid, M.P.H. 

In this episode, Rolf Taylor (Cobb Institute) interviews renowned cardiac surgeon and AI expert Dr. Hassan Tetteh about ways that artificial intelligence is reshaping healthcare, research, and the workforce, and it's origins in military applications. 

Drawing on his 25-year naval career, surgical background, and work with the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, Dr. Tetteh discusses AI’s potential to expand access, improve productivity, and address health inequities—as well as the need for strategic governance to manage risks and bias.

The conversation highlights practical examples—like wearable devices, large language models (LLMs), and plain language translation for underserved communities—and urges thoughtful integration of AI so it can safely empower patients, clinicians, and health systems.

Over the next few weeks, we are featuring interviews with speakers from our AI symposium, which the Cobb Institute recently convened at the NMA Annual Convention. Titled Code, Context, & Care - Artificial Intelligence at the Crossroads of Healthcare, Research, & Workforce Development - the symposium explores the role of AI in shaping scientific direction and operational decision-making. 

The discussions highlight AI’s great potential to share information, support research continuity, streamline processes, and uncover new insights, as well as its risks—such as reinforcing existing patterns of bias when built on limited data, or restricting the scope of inquiry through automated content filtering. 

Dr. Hassan Tetteh is a retired US Navy Captain and Associate Professor of Surgery at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, and adjunct faculty at Howard University College of Medicine. He a much published author, including most recently the book “Smarter Healthcare with AI”

The symposium also examines how evolving guidelines around language and terminology are shaping health-related research, influencing how studies are designed, interpreted, and communicated. Speakers considered the ethical, methodological, and policy-related challenges of conducting research in a landscape shaped by shifting language norms and increasing use of data-driven technologies. Transparency, thoughtful integration, and institutional readiness remain critical to ensuring AI serves the broad needs of the research and healthcare communities. 

You can review the full symposium program - and a video recording  - on the Cobb Institute website using this link: https://www.thecobbinstitute.org/the-cobb-institute-annual-lecture-symposium-2025 

The Cobb Institute thanks our partners and sponsors for supporting this event, including Amgen, BlackDoctor.org, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering, and the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation.

Copyright: W.Montague Cobb Institute 2025. 

Welcome to another enlightening episode of Cobb and Company, the podcast of the W. Montague Cobb Institute. Hosted by Cobb Institute President & CEO Dr. Randall Morgan, this episode features a captivating discussion with Dr. Maisha Standifer from the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine.

Dive deep into the challenges and triumphs of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute's overall mission, and the groundbreaking program focused on dismantling structural barriers in HIV care within Southern Black communities. Dr. Standifer shares her insights into how the program is impacting cities like Atlanta, New Orleans, and Baton Rouge, targeting people living with HIV and advocating for health equity.

Explore how the program is addressing stigma, promoting sexual health education, and creating alliances with other historically Black institutions. With a clear commitment to advancing health policies and creating data-driven strategies, Dr. Standifer discusses aligning efforts with initiatives like Georgia Thrives and engaging with governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Gain a deeper understanding of the evolving landscape of HIV care and the critical importance of training the next generation of healthcare leaders to be culturally competent and responsive to the needs of marginalized communities across the Southern United States.

In this enlightening episode of Cobb and Company, hosts Rolf Taylor and Jasmyne Lott are joined by Dr. Maisha Standifer, Director of Population Health at the Satcher Health Leadership Institute. With over 15 years of expertise, Dr. Standifer discusses her journey as a medical anthropologist and her transformative work addressing structural barriers in HIV care within Southern Black communities.

Dr. Standifer shares insights into her career path and the influence of Dr. W. Montague Cobb and the Cobb Scholars program on her professional choices and advocacy. She elaborates on the value of community-based participatory research and the essential role of mentorship in shaping future change-makers in the healthcare domain.

The episode also delves into the dynamic Georgia Thrives initiative, targeting HIV disparities in Atlanta, and explores similar initiatives in New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

Dr. Standifer talks about the challenges of stigma, the importance of culturally competent care, and the critical need to understand the socio-political determinants of health. This is a comprehensive discussion aimed at empowering Black communities and enhancing healthcare equity.

Satcher Health Leadership Institute: 

https://satcherinstitute.org/ 

Addressing structural barriers in HIV care impacting Black communities in the Southern United States: 

https://satcherinstitute.org/research/end-the-epidemic-hiv-equity/ 

Maisha Standifer, PhD, MPH, Director, Health Policy

https://satcherinstitute.org/maisha-standifer/ 

Welcome to this episode of Cobb and Company, the podcast of the W. Montague Cobb Health Institute, recorded live at the National Medical Association Annual Convention in New York. Join Dr. Christina E. Stevens, Director of Operations for the Cobb Institute, as she discusses the crucial role of mentorship in enhancing diversity and representation within the healthcare workforce.

In this fun and insightful episode, we hear from London Wheeler, a third-year student at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Carrington Boyer, a recent graduate from Howard University. Both guests share their personal journeys and the transformative impact mentors have had on their careers. From navigating medical school challenges to exploring the interdisciplinary field of bioethics, London and Carrington highlight the invaluable support and guidance received from their mentors.

Discover how mentorship has helped them connect with the Cobb Institute and understand the importance of diversity in clinical trials. Gain valuable insights into building meaningful mentor-mentee relationships and the qualities that make effective mentors. Whether you're an aspiring healthcare professional or a seasoned mentor, this episode offers inspiration and practical advice for fostering a more inclusive, resilient and diverse healthcare environment.

(c) W. Montague Cobb Institute, 2024

The Cobb Scholars https://www.thecobbinstitute.org/overview 

In this episode of Cobb & Company, series producer Rolf Taylor speaks with Dr. Joseph Mikhael, the Chief Medical Officer of the International Myeloma Foundation, about the significant disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of multiple myeloma, especially within African-American communities. Recorded at the National Medical Association Annual Assembly, Dr. Mikhael shares insights into the genetic and socioeconomic factors contributing to these disparities and the importance of equitable healthcare access.

The discussion delves into the challenges for underserved communities receiving timely diagnosis and cancer treatment, the social determinants of health, and the unique challenges faced by minoritized communities in accessing advanced therapies like CAR T-cell therapy. Dr. Mikhael emphasizes the need for a holistic approach that addresses delayed diagnosis and barriers to care, while also highlighting the role of systemic racism and healthcare system stratification in perpetuating these disparities.

Listeners will learn about the International Myeloma Foundation's M-Power program, which aims to empower patients and communities to change the course of myeloma through engagement, education, and enhanced care. The episode also touches on the importance of mentoring the next generation of healthcare providers to ensure a diverse and equitable future in medical care.

(c) W. Montague Cobb Institute 2024 

International Myeloma Foundation https://www.myeloma.org/ 

In this inspiring episode of Cobb and Company, recorded live at the National Medical Association Annual Convention in New York, host Rolf Taylor sits down with the remarkable Reverend Dr. Lucy Perez. Dr. Perez, a former president of the National Medical Association and a former director of the NAACP, shares her journey from her early career in New York's public health sector advocating for communities impact by HIV, to her current work in addressing health disparities and promoting diversity in clinical trials through her church.

Dr. Perez reflects on her encounters with the legendary W. Montague Cobb and her advocacy for social activism within the medical field. She passionately discusses the systemic biases in healthcare and the importance of equitable treatment for people of color. The conversation also delves into the innovative ways her church, Kingdom Fellowship AME Church, led by Pastor Matthew L. Watley, is engaging its congregation in health research and clinical trials, framing scientific discovery as a divine opportunity.

Tune in to explore the intersection of faith, health, advocacy, and activism, and learn how communities can harness the power of knowledge and trust to drive positive change. This episode is a call to action for securing time to reflect, engage, and create a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system.

(c) W. Montague Cobb Institute 2024     https://www.thecobbinstitute.org/w-montague-cobb 

Kingdom Fellowship AME Church      https://kingdom.global/ 

Join us in this in-depth episode as Rolf Taylor, producer of the podcast series, converses with Dr. Lisa Merritt at the National Medical Association Annual Assembly. Dr. Merritt, based in Sarasota, Florida, shares her journey as the first physiatrist on the podcast and delves into her impactful work as the Founder and Executive Director of the Multicultural Health Institute.

Dr. Merritt discusses her initiatives to address health inequities, the importance of community-based participatory research, and her passion for mentoring the next generation of medical professionals. With an herbalist uncle and a passion for combining traditional nutrition and modern medicine, Dr. Merritt discusses how the "whole person" approach benefits patients and communities. She also shares insights from her recent trip to Ghana, highlighting the importance of returning to one's roots to move forward again. 

Discover how Dr. Merritt's work in Sarasota, focusing on chronic diseases and environmental justice, is reshaping healthcare delivery and community health. Her inspiring story is a testament to the power of cultural competence and community engagement in fostering health equity.

(c) W. Montague Cobb Institute 2024

The Multicultural Health Institute:   https://www.the-mhi.org/news 

Bio: Dr. Lisa Merritt 

Dr. Lisa Merritt is a board-certified physiatrist, focusing on brain injury, pain management, including sports and work-related injuries in Sarasota, Florida. Over the past 25 years, she has been a passionate and unrelenting advocate for elimination of health disparities. In 1995, while managing her practice and serving as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of California Davis, Dr. Merritt founded the Multicultural Health Institute (MHI) in Sacramento,