We're honored to have on this week's episode of "Straight Outta Health IT" the dynamic and unconventional Dr. Kameron Matthews, MD.   This amazing clinician has dedicated her life's mission to the equitable delivery of healthcare and the adoption of health policies impacting underserved communities. 

Dr. Kameron Leigh Matthews is the Chief Health Officer of Cityblock Health, a transformative, value-based healthcare provider integrating medical, behavioral, and social services for Medicaid and dually eligible and low-income Medicare beneficiaries. A board-certified Family Physician, Dr. Matthews has focused her career on underserved and vulnerable communities, having held multiple leadership roles in correctional medicine, federally qualified health centers, and managed care. Most recently at the Veterans Health Administration, she led transformational efforts focused on integrated, Veteran-centered models of care including the implementation of the MISSION Act of 2018 and the EHR modernization effort. She is a member of the National Academy of Medicine. In addition to other non-profit and advisory board positions, she serves as the Vice-Chair of the board of directors of the National Quality Forum. As a passion outside of work, she co-founded and co-direct the Tour for Diversity in Medicine, an initiative seeking to bring premedical enrichment activities to underrepresented minority high school and undergraduate students across the country.

In this episode, she shares her journey into healthcare advocacy after taking a detour from med school to earn a law degree which sparked her passion for helping underserved communities. Social determinants of health like zip code, education, and income really do affect access to care. Dr. Kameron reflects on how she started working at Federally Qualified Health Centers and for her, being a physician of color absolutely made the difference.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just buzzwords according to Dr. Mathews.    A diverse healthcare workforce can directly impact the quality of care and the equitable treatment of patients of color.   

Her passion now is leading CityBlock Health.  Their mission is to create safe and supportive environments for the delivery of holistic care to our most vulnerable and marginalized citizens.   

Tune into this thought-provoking conversation and feel free to share your thoughts on this topic!