Celebrating Extraordinary Women in Medicine and Science

On Saturday, November 12, 2022, The Williams Forum for Diabetic Education and Healthcare (a 501C3) held their 5th Annual Black Tie Gala at The Manor in West Orange, NJ. The nonprofit, founded in 2013 by Dr. Patricia Bennett, focuses on reducing health disparities in the greater Newark metropolitan area. The theme of the event was “Celebrating Extraordinary Women in Medicine and Science.”

This year’s honorees included NBIMC VP Administration Laura Budinick, PsyD (Clinical Psychology); Clover Health Senior Medical Director Maxine E. Facey-Cannon, M.D. (Internal Medicine),;

Director of Pharmacy Sandra Richardson, PharmD, RPh (Pharmacology); Public Health Diabetes Expert Patricia Thompson-Reid, MPH, MAT; and Nicola Pemberton, MD, OBGYN. The Moderator was Erica David-Park, M.D.

According to the American Diabetes Association, the cost of diabetes in New Jersey (with associated complications) is $9.2 billion yearly. It is the most expensive chronic disease nationally (more than cancer), with a national debt burden exceeding $327 billion. Diabetes education with a focus on prevention and socioeconomic considerations is critical to management of this disease.