Why Myeloma Disparities Matter: Dr. Joe on Health Equity & the M-Power Initiative (https://www.myeloma.org/videos/why-myeloma-disparities-matter-dr-joe-health-equity-m-power-initiative)
Why Myeloma Disparities Matter: Dr. Joe on Health Equity & the M-Power Initiative
Dr. Joseph Mikhael, Chief Medical Officer of the International Myeloma Foundation, discusses the stark racial disparities in multiple myeloma and how the IMF’s M-Power Initiative is working to bridge the gap.
In honor of Black History Month, Dr. Joe shares the importance of community engagement, trust-building, and increasing diversity in healthcare. Watch to learn how these efforts are making a difference.
Questions Answered in This Video:
1:15 - Why do race and ethnicity play such a huge role in healthcare and the care that communities receive?
2:33 - What are some of the things the International Myeloma Foundation has put in place to address disparities?
3:56 - How does the M-Power Initiative build trust and empower communities to take charge of their healthcare?
5:36 - What is it like to go into churches and speak about multiple myeloma and the M-Power Program?
7:36 - What was the vision behind creating the Medical Health Equity Scholars Program?
10:00 - How does increasing diversity in the healthcare workforce impact myeloma patient care?
Learn more about the M-POWER initiative here (https://mpower.myeloma.org/).
Joseph Mikhael, MD, MEd, FRCPC, FACP, FASCO
International Myeloma Foundation Medical Advisor
TGen, City of Hope Cancer Center—Phoenix, AZ, USA
Dr Mikhael is a Professor in the Clinical Genomics and Therapeutics Division at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), an affiliate of City of Hope Cancer Center. He is also the Director of Myeloma research at the HonorHealth Research Institute in Scottsdale, Arizona. Dr Mikhael specializes clinically in plasma cell disorders, namely multiple myeloma, amyloidosis, and Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia. He is the PI of many clinical trials, primarily in relapsed multiple myeloma, and his other clinical research interests include pharmaco-economics, communication skills, and media relations.
Dr. Mikhael recently served as the Chief Medical Officer of the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) from 2018 to 2026 – he now serves as Medical Advisor to the IMF to provide guidance and strategic input in areas such as patient education, health disparities, collaboration with partners, international research, and publications.
Dr Mikhael has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles in these fields and lectures internationally on a regular basis. Dr. Mikhael is deeply committed to health disparities in myeloma and is the chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council at TGen. Dr. Mikhael is heavily involved in training future researchers and mentors junior faculty worldwide. Dr. Mikhael is an active member of the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) and recently led the ASCO guidelines in myeloma. Dr. Mikhael also serves as the Treasurer on the executive of the American Society of Hematology.
Dr. Mikhael did his medical training in Canada, including a fellowship in Multiple Myeloma at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. He also obtained his master’s degree in education from the University of Toronto. He then worked at the Mayo Clinic Arizona as a Hematologist from 2008-2018.