PHEN’s Faith-Based Church Partnership Initiative Panel Discussion

At the second session of the 20th Annual African American Prostate Cancer Disparity Summit, three panelists participated in a panel discussion about PHEN’s Faith Based Church Partnership Initiative. These three participants included:

• Rev. Dr. Ann Marie Bentsi-Addison Posey, Executive Director of the International Health Commission at the AME Church
• Rev. George Hardy, Pastor at the Mt. Zion AME Church of Oakland Park
• Rev. Dr. Natalie Mitchem, Pastor at the Mount Pisgah AME Church

PHEN’s Director of Community Partnership Development and Outreach Rev. Adrian Backus provided a presentation about the church partnership program and online church portal (PHENChurch.org) before the panel discussion began. Rev. Dr. Mitchem discussed that churches are always looking for resources to provide churchgoers, and PHEN has continually given out free brochures and online resources. She also highlighted the importance of bringing healthy foods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, to cancer awareness events.

Rev. Hardy stated how PHEN’s church portal is exactly what is needed to improve men’s health education. He also described how his organization helped 98 men undergo PSA testing at a prostate cancer awareness event, with 12 men found to have a potential prostate problem. He aims to improve trust and education among African American men entering the healthcare system. Rev. Dr. Bentsi-Addison Posey explained how it is important to take a holistic approach for healthcare, and the importance of including women in men’s medical decisions and care.