Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 9:56 — 8.1MB) | Embed

Subscribe: RSS

BREAKING BARRIERS TO COVID-19 VACCINE ACCESS

EXPERTS AVAILABLE TO ADDRESS VACCINE EQUITY THROUGH INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND ACCESS

CARLOS CUBIA

Senior Vice President and Global Chief Diversity Officer for WBA

LA VONIA CANNON

Area Healthcare Supervisor for the Walgreen Co.

Recent data on COVID-19 vaccine distribution suggests inequity for underserved communities and communities of color. To address this, Walgreens is taking a proactive, three-pillared approach in addressing vaccine hesitancy, helping to dispel misinformation that is running rampant. As a healthcare leader and a trusted partner in administering the vaccine, there is a unique opportunity to reach into underserved communities and provide information, education, and access to the vaccine as a way of removing the barriers to equity.

On Thursday February 18^th, Carlos Cubia and Dr. Nate Butte will be available to share details on several initiatives being implemented to help drive equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines among underserved communities and how this can have a positive impact in your community.

DID YOU KNOW?

• While nearly 80% of the U.S. population lives within five miles of a Walgreens pharmacy, the company has recently expanded different models of care to ensure the delivery of vaccines in underserved and rural areas, such as mobile and off-site clinics.
• Free transportation to these pharmacies and offsite vaccine clinics are part of a larger commitment by Uber to provide up to 10 million free or discounted rides to vaccination sites.

• Walgreens is working with local partners to collaborate on educational initiatives to address vaccine hesitancy.

For more information please visit: www.walgreens.com/covid

MORE ABOUT CARLOS CUBIA:

Carlos Cubia is Senior Vice President and Global Chief Diversity Officer for WBA. Since joining the company in 2017, Cubia has been instrumental in advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at the center of all that we do. Among his achievements are launching the first global WBA Diversity & Inclusion Report; the formation of our Global Inclusion Council; the addition of our new corporate value of inclusion; and the linking of a portion of incentive pay to performance on our DEI goals. He has partnered closely with the divisions and functions of WBA as a champion for the racial equity movement and for affordable, accessible health care for all, regardless of post or zip code. Prior to joining WBA, Cubia served as Vice President, Sales and Account Management at Aetna, Vice President and Global Chief Diversity Officer at Covidien, a medical devices company, and also held VP level positions for Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Safeco Insurance where among other things he was responsible for driving the diversity agenda. Black Enterprise recognized Cubia as a “Top Corporate Diversity Executive” in 2018, and Career Mastered magazine honored him with a “Men as Allies Diversity in Leadership” award.

MORE ABOUT LA VONIA CANNON:

La Vonia Cannon is an Area Healthcare Supervisor for the Walgreen Co. She is responsible for creating and implementing a strategic roadmap to integrate innovative healthcare products and services within the business model of her 96 Walgreens pharmacies. During monthly business review meetings, she leverages performance trends and financial forecasting to evaluate the feasibility and profitability of current and future healthcare services—building beyond her area’s annual profitability of over $77 million. She actively collaborates and cultivates relationships with internal and external stakeholders to positively impact patient health outcomes, increase patient access to healthcare services, and grow market share. La Vonia is a licensed pharmacist in the states of Texas and Illinois and a graduate of the University of Houston-College of Pharmacy. In 2002, she received the coveted Preceptor of the Year award from her alma mater in recognition of her commitment, passion, and success with developing future pharmacists.