OutCare Health, a leading 501 (c)(3) LGBTQ+ health equity organization dedicated to promoting inclusivity, affirmation, and dismantling barriers within the healthcare industry, is thrilled to announce the addition of three exceptional individuals to their team. Summer Allison, Dehandra Blackwood, and Larissa Flores, all Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholars, will be joining OutCare Health this summer as LGBTQ+ Health Advocacy Scholars. These talented scholars bring a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to improving health outcomes for marginalized communities. Let’s get to know them better!
Summer Allison (she/they)
Roanoke, Virginia
Summer Allison, a recent Hollins University graduate, is joining OutCare Health with a dual degree in public health and sociology, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Throughout her academic journey, Summer actively participated in the public health club and served as a guide for first-year students as a first-generation, low-income student herself. Her personal experiences with discrimination from healthcare providers due to their intersectional identity have ignited a passion within her to dismantle oppressive systems and improve health outcomes for all people. Summer’s dedication to advocating for equitable healthcare makes her a valuable asset to the OutCare Health team.
Dehandra Blackwood (she/her)
New York City, NY
Dehandra Blackwood, a recent graduate of New York University, will be enrolling as an MPH Candidate at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health this fall. With a BA in Global Public Health and Anthropology, along with a minor in Latin American and Caribbean studies, Dehandra brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to the field. Her focus on Sociomedical Sciences and infectious disease epidemiology will enable her to conduct research on the anthropological roots of health disparities across race/ethnicity and gender/sexuality. Dehandra’s ultimate goal of obtaining a Ph.D. in Medical Anthropology highlights her commitment to providing culturally competent solutions to health disparities.
Larissa Flores (they/them)
New York, NY
Larissa Flores, a talented biomedical engineering student at Columbia University, is not only passionate about medicine but also a digital art and game design hobbyist. As a trans person with many trans friends, Larissa’s personal connection to the cause of securing the health and safety of marginalized communities fuels her enthusiasm to make a tangible impact. By joining OutCare Health, Larissa aims to leverage her skills and expertise to contribute to the organization’s mission of promoting inclusivity in healthcare.
OutCare is thrilled to partner with the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation this summer to provide a wonderful opportunity for scholars to network, try out potential career paths, and gain valuable work experience. Each year the foundation receives an increased number of quality applications to fund opportunities, and the process is selective.
The addition of Summer, Dehandra, and Larissa to the OutCare Health team reinforces the organization’s unwavering commitment to inclusivity and equity in healthcare. The vision is to create a world where every LGBTQ+ person can access quality healthcare and feel empowered to live their healthiest, most authentic life. With their diverse backgrounds, educational accomplishments, and shared dedication to dismantling systematic barriers, these scholars bring fresh perspectives and valuable expertise to the organization and will help to continue making significant strides in promoting inclusivity and advocating for equitable healthcare for all.
Learn more about the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation at jkcf.org.
