2/24/2025
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Posted by Alexander Ford, DO, RD, Community Care Physicians Family Medicine Physician
in
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
As a family physician and registered dietitian, during Black History Month, I reflect on the various fearless trailblazers in healthcare and other sectors who broke barriers and overcame extraordinary obstacles to make my life possible.
Access to healthcare and poor health literacy are still issues plaguing the Black community. Generally, patients desire a patient-doctor relationship where they feel comfortable sharing their personal and medical history. From my experiences, my Black patients prefer Black physicians; however, there is a severe shortage of Black physicians, which is another barrier to seeking care for many Black Americans.
Social determinants of health (SDoH) such as education, income, housing, and transportation issues, are essential for clinicians to consider when developing patient treatment plans. SDoHs are unique to every patient and, like treatment plans, must be individualized to each patient's lifestyle. Community Care Physicians has robust collaboration channels with community resources and Care Team members to assist with coordinating patient care needs. Fidelis Care assists with increasing awareness and access to health insurance and healthcare for community members.
As part of my effort to address mental health issues and SDoHs for people of color, I developed a wellness program called AIM to provide early education intervention for individuals 18 years and older. This program encourages young people to “aim” for success in the classroom and daily life. Lesson topics include health literacy, nutritional literacy, visual imagery, and positive self-talk. The nonprofit 4th Family Inc. currently offers the program, and I teach it at various schools in the City of Albany. We plan to expand to other districts and older ages to be more inclusive.
Dr. Alexander Ford, a native of Albany, NY, is a family medicine physician at Community Care Physicians. He attended Christian Brothers Academy and then enrolled at Buffalo State College, where he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics. After graduating, Dr. Ford returned to Albany, interested in wellness and preventive medicine. He worked as a Registered Dietitian while attending medical school at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine to become a physician. Dr. Ford also volunteers as a nutrition educator at 4th Family Inc. and serves as a ringside physician for USA Boxing.