CME Outfitters (CMEO), a leading provider of accredited continuing medical education, has announced a groundbreaking collaboration with the American Clinical Health Disparities Commission (ACHDC) and the National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) to combat health disparities in the United States. This initiative aims to increase diversity in clinical trials and enhance cultural competency among healthcare providers.
The partnership brings together CMEO’s expertise in medical education with ACHDC’s focus on eliminating adverse effects of social drivers of health and NBCI’s extensive network of 150,000 African American churches. Together, they seek to transform healthcare education, advance equity in healthcare access, and drive change in clinical research.
As part of this initiative, CMEO and NBCI have participated in strategic meetings with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These collaborations are focused on enhancing health equity, increasing diversity in clinical trials, and fostering cultural competency and humility among healthcare providers.
Shari Tordoff, Founding Partner of CMEO, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, “By improving cultural competency and clinician competence, we are empowering providers to not only improve patient care but also actively contribute to diversity in clinical trials.”
Rev. Anthony Evans, President of NBCI, added, “We are ushering in a new era of engagement for African Americans in clinical trials. Together, we are not just improving participation in clinical trials—we are transforming the healthcare experience for millions of African Americans.”
CMEO’s efforts extend beyond education to real-world impact, with Dr. Kashemi Rorie, Chief Scientific Officer of CMEO, noting measurable changes in clinician behavior and increased awareness of bias. NBCI plans to build on its successful health initiatives by engaging 30,000 to 50,000 African American participants annually in clinical trials starting in 2025.
This collaborative effort represents a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and effective healthcare system that better serves diverse populations and addresses long-standing health disparities.
