Yolanda Lawson MD, FACOG, 124th President of the National Medical Association has 20 years of clinical practice expertise in Women’s Health and healthcare leadership. Recently she has joined HealthCare Services Corp as Executive Medical Director, Maternal Infant Health and is responsible for leading high profile priority initiatives to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.

Dr. Lawson founded MadeWell OBGYN in Dallas, Texas, and is an Associate Attending at Baylor University Medical Center.  She is the medical director of Abounding Prosperity, a community-based organization that addresses HIV disparities in target, Black communities and Principal investigator for the Eboni study researching HIV prevention in Black women. She is a fellow of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, member of the Texas Medical Association where she serves on the Physician Health and Wellness committee, and she is a delegate for the Dallas County Medical Society and serves on the Political Action committee.

Dr. Lawson is a staunch advocate for physicians and the patients they serve. Her tireless efforts and strategic approach are a testament to her commitment as a women’s health advocate and her relentless pursuit to end health disparities. Her unique combination of business acumen, leadership, and genuine care has propelled her career and transformed opportunities into significant contributions to medicine and her community.

Anthony Fletcher, MD, FACC, FSCAI, is an interventional cardiologist with CHI St. Vincent Cardiology and Medicine Clinic, in Little Rock, Arkansas. Dr. Fletcher is a graduate of Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He completed his Internal Medicine Internship and Residency at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D. C. Dr. Fletcher then completed his Cardiovascular Fellowship at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Fletcher’s clinical expertise includes taking care of acute and chronically ill patients, practicing general and interventional cardiology. His specialties include congestive heart failure, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease and interventional cardiology. He enjoys educating his patients on primary and secondary risk factor modification. A central component of his practice is navigating the obstacles of the social determinants of health, which contribute to the gaps in cardiovascular care amongst his patient population. Dr. Fletcher has been involved in establishing outreach clinics throughout the state of Arkansas especially in underserved areas where cardiovascular disease is abundant. He has been a clinical professor in the Department of Cardiology at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), staffing the cardiac catheterization laboratory and training cardiology fellows, residents and students.

Dr. Fletcher is currently an active member and president of the Central Arkansas American Heart Association, and past co-chair of the “Go Red for Women” health expo and luncheon. He also is past president of the Heartland Affiliate and was the first president of the South Central Affiliate of the National American Heart Association. He has also served as a past member of the National Board of the American Heart Association and has served on numerous national committees of the AHA.

Dr. Fletcher has received numerous awards throughout his career including the American Heart Association, (Little Rock, AR) Worthen Cornett Award, 2003, the National Medical Association Region V, Best Physician Award (2001, 2003), and the American Heart Association, National Physician of the Year (2007). He is also active in the American College of Cardiology and is a past Arkansas Chapter Governor.

Dr. Fletcher is an active member in the Arkansas Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Association (The state chapter of the National Medical Association), and has served as its President and COO. Dr. Fletcher is an active member and a fellow of the Society of Cardiac Angiography and Intervention. He is currently Co-Chair of the Bylaws Committee and President- elect of the Association of Black Cardiologists. He served as Co-Chair of the “Spirit of the Heart Little Rock” community forum and chaired the ABC CHAT Program for Arkansas.

Dr. Fletcher is dedicated to the primary and secondary prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, especially in diverse and underserved populations. Noting that involvement of underserved populations in clinical trials is paramount, he is involved as a principal investigator and sub-principal investigator in numerous clinical trials. 

Dr. Fletcher is very involved in his community and has been a member and past chairman of both the Arkansas Commission for Health Improvement (ACHI) and the Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Commission. He is a frequent guest on the local television and radio networks providing cardiovascular health tips and information. His interests are many, including gardening, photography, and physical fitness.

Briana Butler, MCN, RDN, LD, is a registered dietitian nutritionist and former professional athlete. She’s the co-owner and lead dietitian of Stef & Bri Wellness and sister brands Power Portions and The GNAW Collective. In her position, Briana advocates for creating culturally-inclusive wellness spaces for active women of color, improving cultural inclusivity in performance nutrition, and comprehensively supporting professional athletes.

Briana holds a bachelor’s degree in human performance from the University of Southern California and a master’s degree in clinical nutrition from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, the latter of which she received after playing in the WNBA and overseas for three years.

Since switching careers, Briana has worked with wellness clients and collegiate and professional athletes across the country through her private practice and other world-renowned brands such as NBA G-League, Southern Methodist University, EXOS, Gatorade Sports Science Institute, and the Dallas Cowboys. In addition, Briana worked as a national media spokesperson for Got Milk?, delivered food and nutrition TV segments nationwide for brands such as POM Wonderful, Newman’s Own, and Nestlé, and regularly serves as a keynote speaker for sports programs, youth athletes, and a variety of companies. Above all, Briana finds purpose and joy in being a wife to her husband, Brice, and a full-time mom to her two kids. Briana is a Houston, Texas, native and currently lives in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Disclosures:

Briana Butler, MCN, RDN, LD, faculty for this educational activity has the following relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose: she is an Advisory Board Member for Trove Brands (Oath Nutrition). All relevant financial relationships listed for this individual have been mitigated.

Anthony Fletcher, MD, FACC, FSCAI, Yolanda Lawson MD, FACOG, and the planners for this educational activity have no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

An “ineligible company” includes any entity whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products use by or on patients.