Health Equity
News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues
25th Council session information coming soon.
MSDC Commends Outgoing DC Health Director Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt
PRESS RELEASE
MSDC Commends Outgoing DC Health Director Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt
Washington, D.C., July 6, 2022 –Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt will be resigning from her position as Director of DC Health at the end of the month, and the Medical Society of the District of Columbia (MSDC) wishes her success in her next role. MSDC, the largest medical organization representing metropolitan Washington physicians in the District of Columbia, has partnered with Dr. Nesbitt and DC Health on many public health challenges during her tenure. Dr. Nesbitt spearheaded many public-private healthcare initiatives with strong leadership and dedication to public service and the health of our nation’s capital. MSDC looks forward to continuing to partner with Dr. Nesbitt in her next role and to partnering with DC Health on ongoing public health challenges.
MSDC President Dr. Kirstiaan Nevin stated, “We are grateful to Dr. Nesbitt for her stewardship of DC Health since 2015, and we congratulate her on the next stage of her career. During the COVID-19 pandemic, her leadership of DC Health set a high standard of excellence that made DC a model for public-private partnership to address health priorities. We are pleased that she will remain in the Washington, DC area and we look forward to continuing to work with her. MSDC will work closely with the next director to continue the work on the District’s health priorities, and we are happy to provide our 205 years of DC health knowledge to the mayor on the search process.”
Over its 205-year history, MSDC has worked with many physicians at the helm of DC’s health department. However, Dr. Nesbitt stands out in several ways. Her near-eight-year tenure and her decision to remain in the community demonstrate her perseverance and commitment to the District of Columbia. Dr. Nesbitt has been an ever-present figure in all eight wards tackling numerous public health challenges with tireless drive and leadership. Her legacy spans not just the COVID-19 pandemic, but also solutions to address maternal mortality, industry-wide technology overhauls, and much more. MSDC has been honored to partner with Dr. Nesbitt on these pressing public health concerns and looks forward to future collaborations in her next role. The Medical Society will continue to provide the city with much-needed physician expertise and leadership as the District faces evolving healthcare needs and challenges, as it has done since 1817.
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Media Contact:
Pia Duryea
Medical Society of the District of Columbia
duryea@msdc.org
(202) 355-9414
About the Medical Society of the District of Columbia
With over 3,000 members, the Medical Society of the District of Columbia (MSDC) is the largest medical organization representing metropolitan Washington physicians in the District of Columbia. The Medical Society, founded in 1817, is the leading voice of medicine and public health advocate on issues impacting the diverse population of our Nation’s Capital. MSDC is dedicated to ensuring the well-being of physicians and their patients in metropolitan Washington and making the District the best place to practice medicine. For more information, visit msdc.org.
Sample of Health Equity Legislation MSDC Tracked
What does it say? The bill allows for the administration of medicinal marijuana in schools as well as allows students to bring sunscreen to schools and apply it without a prescription.
MSDC position: MSDC supports the language permitting sunscreen application in schools
Current status: A win for DC physicians and public health! The legislation passed the Council in February and was signed by the Mayor. Previous temporary and emergency legislation permitted students to use sunscreen at schools this school year already.
What does it say? The bill requires DC Health to establish an electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment registry (eMOST).
MSDC position: MSDC supports this legislation to more easily allow patients to make their treatment orders known.
Current status: A win for the physician community and our patients! The Council passed the bill in December and the Mayor signed it into law on January 16, 2020.
What does it say? The bill would implement a 1.5 cent per ounce tax on the distribution of "sugary" beverages. The money collected from the tax would establish a Healthy People, Healthy Places Open Spaces Grant Program.
MSDC position: MSDC sent a letter to Council Chair Mendelson asking for a hearing to discuss all of the issues around a beverage tax.
Current status: The bill was introduced October 8, 2019 and referred to the Committee on Business and Economic Development and the Committee of the Whole.