On Thursday, April 10, BlackDoctor.org (BDO), a leader in Black health, hosted its 10th annual Top Blacks in Healthcare (TBH) Awards at the Fontainebleau Miami. The prestigious awards were a celebration of the profound role each honoree has played in pushing for health equity.
The event was hosted by legendary radio DJ Donnie Simpson, who welcomed a distinguished audience of 250.
The 2025 Top Blacks in Healthcare award recipients included:
- Chuka Anude, MD, Ph.D. MPH, VP, Vice President and Global Head, Clinical Safety and Risk Management (CSRM) for Infectious Disease Vaccines, Moderna Therapeutics
- Sandra Ajisafe, PharmD, Executive Director, Genentech
- Virginia Caine, MD, President, National Medical Association (NMA)
- Oga Egbuna, Vice President, Clinical Development, Vertex
- Niesha Foster, Vice President, Global Health & Social Impact, Pfizer
- Denelle J. Waynick Johnson, Executive Vice President & General Counsel, UCB
- Thomas LaVeist, Dean, Tulane University School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine
- Marla Littlejohn, Head, Dermatology Pipeline Commercial Strategy, AbbVie
- Leverne (Jonas) Marsh, Executive Vice President, Global Marketing & Project Management, Dexcom
- Jude Ngang, Executive Director, Global Access & Use Evidence Generation, Amgen
- Valerie Montgomery Rice, MD, FACOG, President and CEO, Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM)
- Barbara Salami, Vice President/US Head, Commercial Excellence and Innovation, Novo Nordisk
- Denise Allen Williams, Vice President of Strategy and Commercial Operations, Merck
Throughout the night, each of the honorees highlighted their dedication to bridging the gaps in healthcare access through heartfelt tributes and inspiring speeches. This served as the precipice for the continued work that needs to be done to improve health outcomes for the Black community.
You May Also Like
The overarching themes of the night included the urgent need for health equity and the power of leadership, which not only resonates with each honoree’s story, but is also the driving force behind BDO’s mission.
The event also honored the inductees of BDO’s first inaugural TBH Hall of Fame with three of the 11 inductees, who attended in person, being honored on stage. Each of the 11 inductees are industry leaders who have impacted the lives of several generations.
In addition to those in attendance in Miami, the celebration extended its reach, connecting with BDO’s vast community of 26 million through live streaming, the organization’s website, and social media.
As BDO continues to commemorate its 20th anniversary, the resounding success of the 10th annual TBH Awards underscores its unwavering commitment to achieving health equity for the Black community. The energy and inspiration generated on this momentous night will continue to fuel BDO’s pursuit of a healthier and more equitable future for all.
You May Also Like
