The Institute for Equal Access, Inc.

HEALTH EQUITY STARTS HERE

Bridging the racial divide in healthcare for practitioners, patients, and learners through transformative education, research, and community outreach.

Leadership

Guiding our mission to eliminate healthcare disparities through experienced and community-driven leadership.

Kristin Paterson, PharmD

Kristin Paterson, PharmD

President

Dr. Kristin Paterson earned her degree from Florida A&M University's College of Pharmacy and brings over a decade of experience in diversifying STEM disciplines. Her background encompasses developing mentorship initiatives, research internships, and educational programs alongside national organizations including ABRCMS, the American Cancer Society, NIBR, and Georgetown University School of Medicine. Her leadership in overseeing multi-million dollar, multi-year initiatives serves as the cornerstone for the Institute for Equal Access, Inc.

Kendrya Mack, BS

Kendrya Mack, BS

Vice President and Treasurer

Kendrya Mack is dedicated to supporting Black communities and advancing economic resources. While leading a Black Employee Resource Group at Impossible Foods, Inc., she established an annual farmers market to uplift Black farmers and small businesses, alongside hosting health fairs to address unfulfilled social needs. Her work extends to driving post-secondary achievement for underrepresented students with UNCF, serving on the UC Irvine Customer Experience Advisory Board for curriculum development, and creating partnerships between grassroots organizations, corporate entities, and Black students.

Kaylon Paterson, ME, MGM

Kaylon Paterson, ME, MGM

Secretary

Kaylon Paterson has championed underrepresented participation in STEM research for over 12 years. As an undergraduate fellow with the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) and a two-time Cultural Vistas Exchange fellow—receiving the 2022 Alumni Engagement Award—he maintains an active role as a mentor. Through his work at Paterson Aerospace Systems Corp., he drives STEM workforce diversification initiatives forward.

Pillars of Impact

Empowering communities and healthcare systems through targeted, evidence-based initiatives.

Education & Training

Delivering transformative curricula to healthcare practitioners and learners to cultivate culturally conscious, equitable care environments.

Actionable Research

Investigating the root causes of racial health disparities to inform evidence-based policy changes and clinical practice improvements.

Community Outreach

Connecting underserved communities with essential health resources, screening education, and supportive health partnerships.

See Our Impact Preview

See Our Impact

A comprehensive list of research, publications, and presentations advancing health equity, clinical education, and community wellness.

February 2026 Journal Publication

The lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on colorectal cancer screening modalities and staging by neighborhood-level deprivation

Authors: Romeiser J, Paterson K, Allis N, Valentino J, Stewart T.

Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology

June 2025 Journal Publication

Institutional Strategies to Boost Medical School Graduates Entering Family Medicine: Admissions Priorities are Key

Authors: Weidner A, Saint Laurent M, Kini A, Elwood S, Paterson K, Bentley A, Roett M.

Family Medicine

March 2025 Research Presentation

Pre and Post-pandemic Changes in the Volume of Colorectal Cancer Screenings by Social Deprivation Index

Authors: Paterson K, Allis N, Valentino J, Stewart T, Romeiser J.

Charles R. Ross Memorial Student Research Day

May 2024 Conference Presentation

Shining a Light on Unconscious Bias, Bias of First-Year Medical Students in a Community-Based Learning Course

Authors: Han J, Osizik DZ, Eshleman M, Bullock K, Seliby-Perkins L, Paterson K, Cameron D.

American Medical Student Association

February 2024 Conference Presentation

Evaluating Social Determinant of Health Screening Practices in MedStar Medical Group Primary Care Facilities in DC, Maryland and Virginia

Authors: Paterson K, Havens L, Mamo M, Roett M, Ozisik D.

National Collaborative for Education to Address the Social Determinants of Health Annual Conference

October 2023 Keynote / Presentation

Achieving Health Equity: Making the Case for Diversity in Clinical Trials

Speaker: Paterson K

North American Chapter of the International Society of Pharmacovigilance

October 2023 Program Research

Social Connectedness and Its Impacts on Health Behaviors and Maternal Health Outcomes: A Pilot Program

Authors: Allen Whitfield O, Paterson K, Hill-Daniel J, Seliby-Perkins L, Roett M, Ozisik D.

September 2023 Workshop / Training

Biases and Microaggressions in the Workplace

Presenters: Paterson K, Kureshi S.

MedStar Health Primary Care at Spring Valley

August 2023 Academic-Community Partnership

Georgetown University School of Medicine ‘Refugee Health Navigator Program’ - Academic-Community Partnerships to Support Refugee Health

Authors: Abraham D, Panford-Ufere D, Eter L, Dao T, Lin C, Phelps E, Omeira R, Almasri M, Ekundayo O, Stanikzai A, Kureshi S, Paterson K, Ozisik D.

Ethiopian Community Development Council

August 2023 Symposium Presentation

Prioritizing Behavioral Health Treatment in a Primary Care Setting

Authors: Seliby-Perkins L, Kirk K, Paterson K, Ozisik D.

Morehouse School of Medicine Community Health Advanced by Medical Practice Superstars Symposium

July 2023 Lecture / Talk

Breaking Mentoring Barriers

Speaker: Paterson K

Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center

March 2023 Workshop / Training

How Unconscious Biases Impact Workplace Culture and Team Dynamics

Presenters: Paterson K, Kureshi S.

MedStar Health Primary Care at Spring Valley

October 2022 Research Study

Assessing the Risks of Maternal Mental Health Disorders

Authors: McLaughlin S, Paterson K, Saint Laurent ML, Korostyshevskiy V, Aljawfi O, Roett M.

October 2022 Maternal Health Research

The Role of Social Determinant of Health in Maternal Health Outcome During COVID-19

Authors: Mamo M, Paterson K, Laurent M, Korostyshevskiy V, Roett M.

March 2022 Community Presentation

Evaluating the Impact of Community Gardens: A Community Health Perspective

Presenter: Paterson K

Family Patterns Matter

October 2017 Oncology Research

The Validation of TCEAL7 Expression in Prostate Tumors of African American Men

Authors: Paterson (née Cook) K, Reams R.

African Caribbean Cancer Consortium Conference

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