Ala Stanford

Dr. Ala Stanford is a Professor of Practice in Biology at the University of Pennsylvania, with additional appointments in the Perelman School of Medicine and Annenberg School for Communication. She is a pediatric surgeon, health equity advocate, and founder of the Black Doctors Consortium and the Center for Health Equity. Her work focuses on addressing systemic health disparities, equitable healthcare delivery, and community-centered solutions to public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Educations: B.S. from The Pennsylvania State University and M.D. from The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine.

Research interests include health equity, environmental determinants of health, and reducing bias in healthcare systems. She has been recognized for her leadership in pandemic response and advocacy through awards like the CNN Hero and Points of Light Award. Dr. Stanford also founded R.E.A.L. Concierge Medicine, providing personalized healthcare services.

Her publications include opinion pieces on healthcare equity and a memoir, Take Care of Them Like My Own, detailing her journey and fight for health justice.