How Do You Reach Out to People in Medically Underserved Communities?

Rev. Cynthia Carter Perrilliat, MPA, works to help medically underserved communities. She attended the University of Toledo where she earned a BA in Business Administration. She then went on to earn her MPA from Cal State University East Bay with a focus in organizational change and healthcare. Cynthia is currently the executive director of the Alameda County Care Alliance (ACCA). She also serves as a Minister of the gospel at the Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland, California.

Credit: phi.org

Debra L. Stang: How did you get interested in working with medically underserved communities?

Cynthia Carter Perrilliat: Twenty-six years ago my father was diagnosed with cancer. The doctors who treated him gave him a prognosis of eight months. They provided the best medical care they could, but they ignored our culture and traditions. My father, for instance, was a spiritual man who engaged in such practices as meditation, prayer and reading the scriptures. He also believed in holistic care and made it a point to eat healthy foods and exercise as much as possible. In the end, he did things his own way and lived not for eight months but for eight years.

As my father progressed to advanced illness, he agreed to hospice care. The hospice staff who visited him were committed and dedicated. Many believed they had received a calling to their profession. After watching the way they cared for my father, I wanted to reach out to others from medically underserved communities and build a bridge of trust so that more people could receive the care they needed.

Debra: So, how did you get started going about that?

Cynthia: I started out volunteering for a hospice to learn all I could. Then I applied for work and took a position in targeted and niched marketing. I spoke with people in medically underserved communities and brought their feedback to the hospice team. I also scheduled presentations about advanced illness for black churches. Over 250 people attended my first meeting, which confirmed my belief that communities of color were interested in and could benefit from hospice care.

Debra: What advice do you have about reaching out to medically underserved communities?

Credit: theweeklychallenger.com

Cynthia: First, be open to looking at diverse perspectives. Make it a point to seek out communities and meet them where they are most comfortable. Don’t wait for them to come to you. Always be ready to learn as well as teach. You may feel awkward at times, and that’s normal. After all, life has a way of finding us and challenging us in the very ways we don’t want to be challenged. If we accept those challenges, though, we can make a profound difference in our lives and the lives of others.

Debra: Do you offer training to healthcare professionals about better meeting the needs of communities of color?

Cynthia: Definitely, yes. We offer panel discussions with doctors, respected members of the community and moderators. These discussions help open the eyes of healthcare professionals. They learn alternate ways to interact with different communities to provide culturally competent care.

Debra: Is there anything else you would like to add before we wrap up?

Cynthia: Yes. The needs of caregivers in the medically underserved community are overlooked. I would like to see more lay people trained to help those caregivers. I would also like to see more health and government policies directed toward those who provide care for a loved one with an advanced illness.

Debra: Cynthia, thank you again for taking the time to talk with me and for the important work that you’re doing.

Cynthia: Thank you, Debra. I enjoyed talking to you.

Did you miss the first part of our interview with Cynthia? If so, please catch up here.