Department of Emergency Medicine

UVM Medical Center President and Chief Operating Officer Stephen Leffler, M.D.’90, M.H.C.D.S., professor of emergency medicine

(FEBRUARY 1, 2024) UVM Medical Center President and Chief Operating Officer Stephen Leffler, M.D.’90, M.H.C.D.S., professor of emergency medicine, commented about a new UVMMC program announced on the first day of Black History Month that’s aimed at closing the patient inequity gap when it comes to patient hair care, NBC5 reported.

Local Black business owner and hairstylist Pascale Onguende has been enlisted to help teach staff how to properly care for Black patients’ hair. “I have had clients that were discharged from the hospital that were in the hospital for a few months, and by the time they were discharged—because their hair was not properly cared for—they end up having to shave their hair,” she said.

In a statement, Leffler and UVMMC Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Marissa Coleman said, “As of February 1, our hospital will begin stocking a wider range of hair care products, and our staff is already receiving training to address this specific area of inequity. This effort aligns with our broader commitment to fostering inclusivity and providing culturally humble health care services to all we serve.”

This topic was also covered by WCAX-TV.