McCune Smith Cordice Medical Society at the Memorial Presbyterian Church
 

In collaboration with the MPC’s Men’s League, the Uso Felix Health Foundation and NY Blood and Cancer.

Serving our community

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On July 11, 2026, the Uzo Felix Health Foundation (UFHF0 organized a “Bruncheon” at the Memorial Presbyterian Church of Roosevelt, NY. to raise awareness of the magnitude of problem of Prostate cancer, among men, particularly men of African ancestry. The Foundation was created by Chioma Okoro, in the name of her father, Uso Felix, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer, when it had already metastasized and died prematurely from it. Although she could not prevent the death of her beloved father, in a gesture of filial love, she pledged that she will work tirelessly to help save as many men as possible.  

 

The keynote speaker was Dr. Joshua Harris, medical oncologist from NY Blood and Cancer. The panel discussion that followed was moderated by Dr. Joy Williams, associate director at Hofstra and featured Dr. Carlton Barnswell, urologist of the McCune Smith Cordice Medical Society, Dr. Leroy Monroe, psychologist and prostate cancer survivor, Dr. Beatrice Goodman, DNP, nutritionist and myself, as I seized the opportunity to substitute for Dr. Allen Toles, who had a conflicting engagement. The keynote presentation was clear and touched on all the points that needed to me made.

 

The foundation provided extensive brochures, pamphlets and literature to the audience of more than 50 attendants of both sexes. The exchange that ensued between the panelists and the audience may have been the most important moment of the session, as so many points were debated and many misconceptions debunked. Chief among them was that if I have sex frequently, I cannot have prostate cancer. Some also believed that if they have no symptoms or there is no cancer in their family, therefore, they cannot have cancer. It was also important to dissect the emotion and the reluctance to undergo a digital rectal examination, to explain the importance of such exam and the fact that in no way does it define one’s sexual preference.

 

We also discuss that nutrition, and spirituality can certainly be adjuncts but in no way should they ever replace standard therapy. The panel had to face that lone individual who derived his knowledge from the barbershop and felt that Doctors are always prompt to recommend surgery for their own gain and quoted a second or third hand story of someone who was advised to have surgery and sought a second opinion, only to be told that there was no cancer, showing once more that barbershops can be a venue for both information and misinformation.  However, that question opened the door for a discussion on the value of second opinion, and the danger of ignoring any changes in one’s health.

The seminar started and ended with a thoughtful and appropriate invocation and blessing by the church pastor, the Reverend Scott William, as each of the attendants was urged to share the information with at least five relatives or friends.

I left the church happy and feeling that there was no better way to spend a Saturday morning, promoting health in our community. I was also grateful for the Uso Felix Health Foundation, the Memorial Presbyterian of Rosevelt, NY and Dr Allen Toles, for giving me that opportunity to serve.

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