Opening Session Panelists
ROCHELLE WILLIAMS-BELIZAIRE, MPH, CPH
Rochelle is a mother, advocate, and health equity leader who works to ensure Black and Brown communities don’t just survive the healthcare system—but thrive in it. With over 20 years in clinical research and cancer care, she brings both deep expertise and lived experience to her work. As a Black immigrant woman and mom to a child with a serious blood disorder, Rochelle knows firsthand what it means to navigate complex care and evaluate clinical trials for a loved one.
MICHELLE ETLINGER
Founder and CEO of “My Total Me Health And Wellness”, is a certified menopause coach, hormone health coach, and nutritionist empowering women ages 30 to 70 plus year’s of age to navigate perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause naturally by using her signature Total Me 4R Method. Michelle helps women move from surviving to thriving with more energy, strength, and confidence at every stage of midlife. Michelle continues to elevate her status as the premier go to menopause coach by studying at Harvard Medical School and working with highly trained medical doctors.
DR. ZALDY S. TAN, MD, MPH
The director of the Bernard & Maxine Lynn Family Memory & Healthy Aging Program at the Cedars-Sinai Health System and the medical director of the Jona Goldrich Center for Alzheimer & Memory Disorders in the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The research of Dr. Tan focuses on brain health, Alzheimer’s disease, and health services optimization for older patients. Dr. Tan trained at Brown University and Harvard Medical School. He currently holds the Carmen and Louis Warschaw Endowed Chair in Neurology. He has joint appointment as Professor of Neurology and Medicine at Cedars-Sinai and Professor of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Dr. Tan’s research focuses on risk and resilience factors for accelerated brain aging and dementia and improving health services for older patients. Dr. Tan’s research on brain aging and memory has been published in major medical journals and covered by the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, CNN, Time, and NPR.
DR. PAUL WALLACE, MD, MPA
A highly respected celebrity cosmetic dermatologist providing medical dermatology services in Ladera Heights at Wallace Skin & Body Institute. For over 20 years, he has offered natural and alternative approaches to dermatological problems, including acne and eczema, to help his patients look and feel their best. After earning his undergraduate degree with honors from UC Berkeley, Dr. Wallace went on to Harvard Medical School, earned a master’s in Public Administration from the University of Missouri, and studied urban and rural medicine at Oklahoma University. Dr. Wallace later pursued his residency training in Dermatology and completed a Fellowship in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Charles Drew/Martin Luther King, Jr. Medical Center in Los Angeles. For over 20 years, Dr. Wallace has taught physicians-in-training and been on the medical staff at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Wallace is passionate about serving his patients, his community, and the world around him. In addition to his work instructing the next generation of physicians, Dr. Wallace holds a weekly clinic in Southeast Los Angeles to provide quality general dermatology services to this under-served community.
DR. BRANDON BLUE
A dedicated physician and researcher committed to advancing health equity and transforming patient outcomes, particularly within the Black community. As an Assistant Member and Clinical Instructor in the Department of Malignant Hematology at Moffitt Cancer Center, Dr. Blue specializes in the treatment of plasma cell disorders and the care of patients before and after stem cell and bone marrow transplants. He earned his medical degree from Meharry Medical College. He then completed his Internal Medicine Residency at Washington University School of Medicine. He pursued a specialized fellowship in Blood and Marrow Transplant and Cellular Immunotherapy at Moffitt Cancer Center. Beyond his clinical expertise, Dr. Blue is deeply invested in addressing health disparities and ensuring that advancements in cancer treatment are accessible to all. He participates in initiatives that address disparities in transplant and cell therapy and is a voice in the black community providing education around cutting edge therapies such as CAR T-cell therapy. He specializes in the care of patients with blood and bone marrow cancers specifically lymphomas, common and rare types as well as multiple myeloma.
GAYLE BUTLER, PHARMD
Serves as Director of Pharmacy for the USC Pharmacy and Wellness Center, which opened in 2026 at 3232 W. Slauson Ave. She is a dedicated Pharmacy Director with over 20 years of experience in both inpatient and outpatient pharmacy services, serving diverse and underserved communities. She is passionate about improving access to care through community outreach, vaccination programs and comprehensive medication management. Dr. Butler has led initiatives that enhance patient safety, reduce medication errors and improve health outcomes by collaborating with patients, providers, and community partners. Her work reflects a strong commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care and advancing community health.
DR. MACIE P. SMITH
A proud HBCU Alum of South Carolina State University receiving both her Bachelor’s in Social Work and Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling; she earned her Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. Dr. Smith is a Licensed Gerontology Social Worker and an award-winning Alzheimer’s and Dementia educator and author with more than 20 years of experience working with aging and vulnerable populations. Dr. Smith provides support for those living with Alzheimer’s, dementia, cognitive impairment, intellectual and developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and their families. She serves as a Guardian ad Litem and Court Appointed Guardian for the Richland County Probate Court. She is the owner of Diversified Training Consultants Group, a Geriatric Care Management organization, the author of “A Dementia Caregiver’s Guide to Care” and an advisory board member for Leeza’s Care Connection, a caregiving support center founded by Celebrity Journalist and Caregiver Advocate, Leeza Gibbons. Dr. Smith is the co-host of a brand new talk show with Teepa Snow called Dementia Divas: Caregiving & The Arts on Saltbox TV. drmaciesmith.com.
DR. BILL RELEFORD, D.P.M.
Known as “The Doctor and The Farmer,” is a visionary leader at the intersection of healthcare innovation, sustainability, and community empowerment. As the owner of Bloom Ranch, the largest Black-owned ranch, 250-acres, in Los Angeles County, Dr. Releford is transforming the future of health and wellness. With over 35 years of experience in diabetic limb preservation, Dr. Bill Releford has advanced healthcare solutions through The Releford Foot and Ankle Institute, integrating cutting-edge medical technology, preventive care strategies, and AI-driven innovation. He is the founder of the Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program, a transformative initiative that turns barbershops into health education and screening centers. By integrating agriculture with health, Bloom Ranch and The Real FARMacy are redefining the intersection of food, wellness, and healing.
DR. FARIN AMERSI, MD
Associate Professor of Surgery, Surgical Oncologist, Vice Chair of Surgical Education, and Program Director of the General Surgery Program at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. She completed her general surgery residency at University of California Los Angeles and then went on to a fellowship in Surgical Oncology at John Wayne Cancer Institute and joined the faculty in the Department of Surgery at Cedars Sinai in 2006. At Cedars-Sinai, she has served as the Clinical Chief of Surgical Oncology, Chair of Cancer Quality, and is currently the Chair of the Cancer Committee which oversees accreditation of the Cedars-Sinai Cancer program. She has been the recipient of several honors and awards for her dedication to teaching and was recently inducted into the Academy of Master Educators by the American College of Surgeons. She has over 160 publications in breast surgical oncology and surgical education and is also the editor of a textbook on breast disease. She is the PI for an FDA trial on Robotic nipple sparing mastectomy. Her research interests are high risk breast lesions, genetic predisposition to cancer, minimally invasive and robotic breast surgery, and lifestyle and prevention strategies for breast cancer.
DR. GLENNA TOLBERT, MD, FAAPMR, QME
A board-certified Physiatrist specializing in spinal cord injury medicine and regenerative therapies. With decades of experience, she leads the team in offering innovative and compassionate care that puts patients at the center of every treatment plan. Before she founded the Tolbert Center, Dr. Tolbert was the chief of the adult brain injury service in the neuro-trauma division at Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center. She is a double board-certified physician who has specialized in physical medicine, rehabilitation and spinal cord injury medicine for 25+ years. She was named one of the 36 woman physician leaders to know by the Kaiser Family Foundation. She teaches and publishes her approaches to regenerative medicine as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCLA’s David Geffen School Of Medicine. She is certified by the State of California as a Qualified Medical Examiner (QME) for workers injured on the job. Dr. Tolbert is also a past president of the Association of Black Women Physicians. She and her staff take bold steps to saving patient’s lives, not just to be different, but for the love of medicine.