New Orleans East Hospital CEO, Dr. Takeisha Davis, has been appointed by Governor John Bel Edwards
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New Orleans East Hospital CEO, Dr. Takeisha Davis, has been appointed by Governor John Bel Edwards to serve on the Louisiana COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force.
New Orleans East Hospital CEO, Dr. Takeisha Davis, has been appointed by Governor John Bel Edwards to serve on the Louisiana COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force. Dr. Davis joins an elite group of health care experts, civic engagement leaders, and other leadership from around the state who will take on the monumental task of looking at the data surrounding the impacts of COVID-19 and offer insightful and informed recommendations and decisions that will address the disparity in health care.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the New Orleans area hard, especially the African American community,” said Dr.Takeisha Davis. “The most recent data reveals that 70% of deaths from COVID-19 in New Orleans have been in African Americans. Our pre-existing conditions have made us more susceptible to death associated with the virus, as well as the lack of access to resources like testing and routine primary care.”
According to the City of New Orleans community health data, African Americans are three times more likely to die from Diabetes and twice as likely to die from kidney disease and HIV. We also have 1.5 times more hypertension and 2x the amount of Asthma...all underlying conditions currently associated with poorer outcomes from COVID 19.
“As a Board, we are grateful to Governor Edwards for recognizing that Dr. Davis should play an integral role in looking for solutions,” said Ronnie Burns, Chair of the Board of Commissioners for New Orleans East Hospital. “As CEO and with her background in healthcare, Dr. Davis sees firsthand and understands the challenges that the African American community faces, and she will be that voice who ensures that all impact areas are considered."
As the state of Louisiana continues to feel the effects of COVID-19, Governor Edwards appointed members to the Louisiana COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force who are uniquely positioned and qualified to find and in some instances look to create innovative healthcare solutions that will lead to increased equity among all citizens of Louisiana.
The task force will begin work immediately and provide real-time updates via a specially created Health Equity Dashboard.
About New Orleans East Hospital
The New Orleans East Hospital), proud member of LCMC Health, is committed to providing superior quality healthcare and educational empowerment to the community with courtesy, concern, kindness, and compassion.
We look forward to building a healthier community and serving as an active partner in the revitalization of Eastern New Orleans.
About Dr. Takeisha Davis, MD, MPH Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Dr. Davis has spent ten years at the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) where she served as the Director of the Center for Community and Preventive Health, Medical Director, and Assistant State Health Officer for the Office of Public Health (OPH). Dr. Davis is a New Orleans native who earned a Doctorate of Medicine from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and a Master’s in Public Health from Harvard University, has extensive experience in clinical care, community engagement and healthcare systems management.
