Dr. Hilton Hudson, a nationally-renowned cardio-thoracic surgeon, was inspired to his profession by a story on the first African-American heart surgeon, Dr. Daniel William Hale. Dr. Hudson founded The Health Literacy Foundation to give back to the national community in a very specific way: by increasing the quality of medical information available to underserved and other medically vulnerable populations.

Dr. Hudson is a man of many firsts: he was the first African-American cardio-thoracic surgeon to graduate from Ohio State University; the first African-American surgeon to graduate from Boston University; and the first African-American to start a heart program in the state of Indiana.

When Dr. Hudson recognized a lack of accurate and up-to-date health information currently being offered to minorities and other underserved populations, he was compelled to help. Dr. Hudson created the Health Literacy Foundation and partnered with Hilton Publishing Company to produce health information books that are easy to comprehend for the lay community. Dr. Hudson gives freely of himself, and his energy is boundless for Foundation initiatives. The Health Literacy Foundation is an extension of his work as a dedicated healthcare provider and testament to his love and concern for all underserved communities.

James W. Reed, MD, is professor of medicine and associate chair of medicine for research at Morehouse School of Medicine and chief of endocrinology at Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Reed is also a medical consultant at Tuskegee Veterans Affairs Hospital, Alabama.

A Fellow of the American College of Endocrinology and the American College of Physicians, Dr. Reed also maintains membership in the Endocrine Society, the American Diabetes Association, the American Medical Association, and the American Society of Hypertension, as well as other professional organizations. He currently serves on the Education Coordinating Committee of the National High Blood Pressure Council of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. He is the former president of the International Society of hypertension in Blacks, is a fellow of the American College of Physicians.

Dr. Reed has published and lectured extensively about the diagnosis and management of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. He received his medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC.

Dr. Lorraine Cole is the Chief Executive Officer of YWCA USA (Young Women's Christian Association), a women's membership movement that is rooted in Christian faith and values, which brings people together to create opportunities for women's growth, leadership, and power in order to attain peace, justice, freedom, eliminate racism and ensure dignity for all people.

Dr. Cole, former President and CEO of the National Black Women's Health Imperative brings her wealth of expertise and professional experience to the Health Literacy Foundation as a leading advocate for access to healthcare, especially with respect to women, public health, education programming, health policy development, advocacy, research and membership services.

Dr. Cole held a past position as the former Executive Director of the National Medical Association (NMA), the oldest national organization representing African American physicians. She was featured in the October 2004 issue of Ebony Magazine as a leader in improving the health status of Black women worldwide through her work as the president and CEO of the Black Women's Health Imperative. She is the leader of the nations only not-for-profit organization dedicated to this cause. The article discusses her efforts for better legislation on this issue, which then leads to better health among black women.

Dr. Leo Egbujiobi is currently working as one of Beloit Memorial Hospital's Staff Cardiologists in Beloit, Wisconsin. As a leader in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, Dr. Egbujiobi comes to the Health Literacy Foundation not only to provide leadership for underserved population initiatives in health literacy, but as an advocate for all people at risk for preventable illness and disease.

Dr. Egbujiobi graduated in 1987 from American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine and completed his Residency in Internal Medicine from the University of Wisconsin in 1991. He completed a Fellowship in Cardiology in 1994 at University of Virginia Charlottesville Virginia V.A. Medical Center in Salem Virginia. He returned to Wisconsin to practice medicine and is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and American College of Physicians. Dr. Egbujiobi is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine: University of Wisconsin Medical School.

Dr. Nelson is a board-certified obstetrician gynecologist who was in active clinical practice in Salt Lake City for almost thirty years. Dr. Nelson has a long history of service to the American Medical Association, most notably his term as the associationÕs President from 2004-05 preceded by a year-long term as its president-elect. He has also served as the President of the Utah Medical Association and the President of the Salt Lake County Medical Society, in addition to his former post as the Deputy Director of the Department of Health for the State of Utah.

Today, Dr. Nelson is the Medical Director for HealthInsight, a quality improvement organization under contract with CMS for Utah and Nevada. He currently donates time at a local clinic that serves the underserved.

Dr. Nelson received his MD from the University of Utah School of Medicine, and completed his residency at the University of Utah after an internship at Providence Hospital, Portland, OR. He later returned to the University of Utah School of Medicine to earn his Masters of Public Health (MPH).

Dr. Nelson and his wife, Linda, recently relocated to Centerville, Utah, just a few miles north of Salt Lake City. They have successfully raised eight children and are the proud grandparents of thirteen grandchildren. When he is not busy playing with his grandkids, Dr. Nelson enjoys golf, boating, and cheering on the University of Utah Utes.

CATHERINE ALICIA GEORGES, ED.D, RN, FAAN

Catherine Alicia Georges is an educator, practitioner and community activist. Alicia, as she is known to most people, is currently Associate Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Nursing at Lehman College of the City University of New York. Dr. Georges has worked in various professional roles in New York City. A sought after speaker, Dr. Georges has spoken on nursing and health care issues throughout the United States, Africa, South America, Europe and the Caribbean. Dr. GeorgesÕ professional career spans more than three decades. A formidable leader, she is committed to eliminating disparities and improving the health of minorities and the disadvantaged. To accomplish this goal, Dr. Georges has assumed numerous leadership roles in education, the community and the political policy making arena. Dr. Georges was the fifth president of the National Black Nurses Association, an organization representing more than 150, 000 Black registered nurses, licensed/vocational nurse and student nurses located throughout the United States, Africa and the Caribbean whose primary purpose is the advocacy for access to equal and quality health care. She is currently the President of the National Black Nurses Foundation and Chairperson of the Board for the Bronx Westchester Area Health Education Council (AHEC) and a member of the board of directors of the American Academy of Nursing. Dr. Georges served on the US Department of Health and Human Service Advisory Council on Nursing Education and Practice and has served on the New York State GovernorÕs Health Care Advisory Board. Dr. Georges is the former chairperson of Bronx Community Board #12, and served as the Secretary Treasurer of the International Society on Hypertension in Blacks. Dr. Georges continues her advocacy and activist efforts while serving as a member of the ChildrenÕs Aid Society Health Advisory Committee .Dr Georges is past President of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS).

Dr. Georges has served as a teacher, consultant and mentor to others in the profession and has worked as a public health nurse consultant for various Head start and pre-school programs, in New York, New Jersey and the US Virgin Islands. She has shared her expertise and knowledge with nurses, human services and educational professionals while conducting workshops on leadership development, conflict resolution and alcohol tobacco and use of other drugs. As an entrepreneur, she formed CAG Home Health Services, a health care business in the US Virgin Islands. This business is approved as a continuing education provider by the Virgin Islands Board of Nurse Licensure.

Dr. Georges is widely published in journals such as Image, Nursing Leadership Forum, Nursing Administration Quarterly, Ethnicity and Disease and the Journal of the National Black Nurses Association. She has been the recipient of numerous grants, more recently serving as the Project Director of a $340, 000 W. K. Kellogg Foundation Grant to support dialogue and action to inform policy makers of the impact of the nurse shortage in minority and under served communities. Dr. Georges holds licenses to practice nursing in the states of New York, New Jersey and the US Virgin Islands.

Dr. Georges has been the recipient of numerous honors and awards for her continued work in nursing, health care and the development of health, social and public policies. In June of 1998, Dr. Georges was the recipient of the American Nurses Association Mary Mahoney Award for her work in increasing minority representation in nursing. Select other awards include: New York State Legislative Nurse of Distinction, King Chavez Parks Visiting Scholar, School of Nursing University of Michigan, Mabel Staupers Award; Women in Public Service Award; and the Jane Delano Distinguished Service Award

Dr. Georges received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Seton Hall University College of Nursing, a Masters of Arts degree in Community Health Nursing Administration and Supervision from New York University School of Education, Division of Nursing and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Vermont. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society, Golden Key Honor Society, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and an honorary member of Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority. She belongs to the American Public Health Association, American Nurses Association, New York State Nurses Association, National Black Nurses Association, and National League for Nursing, and is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.

  B. Waine Kong, Ph.D., JD - Treasurer

  Bonita Washington-Lacey - Secretary