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First Friday Forum: Health Disparities: The Psychological Impact of Breast and Prostate Cancer on African-American Families
Metropolitan State University, St. Paul Campus – Founders Hall Auditorium
700 E 7th Street
St. Paul, MN 55106
Friday, February 03, 2017, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
Category: First Friday Forum (CE)

Health Disparities: The Psychological Impact of Breast and Prostate Cancer on African-American Families

Friday, February 3, 2017
Registration: 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Program: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Friday Forums are cosponsored with the
Metropolitan State University Psychology Department

About the Program

Health disparities exist for African Americans in almost all disease categories and are particularly troubling for cancer, the second most deadly disease affecting Americans. This program will focus on breast and prostate cancers, the two most prevalent and deadly cancers impacting Black families and communities. Despite general medical advances, education, and advocacy both diseases remain common in the African American community, frequently leading to African Americans dying at younger ages and leaving families emotionally and financially devastated. Unfortunately, the combined and cumulative psychological impact of these cancers has received little attention leaving Black families to emotionally suffer in silence. This program will explore the psychological effects of breast and prostate cancers on African American families and describe culturally competent strategies for supporting families living with cancer.

This session qualifies for 3.0 continuing education credits. You must attend the full 3-hour program to get continuing education credit for the event.

Participants will be able to:

  1. Explain statistics/research on discrepancies in breast and prostate cancer rate for African Americans compared to other racial and ethnic groups.
  2. Discuss the psychological impact of these cancers on Black patients, families, and their communities.
  3. Demonstrate culturally-competent psychological strategies and interventions to help patients and families in distress.
  4. Identify culturally-competent support groups.

About the Presenter:

Willie Garrett, MS, LP, Ed.D., is a licensed psychologist with over 35 years of practice in both rural and urban settings. He is a generalist who has expanded his practice from children-adolescents to include adults and elderly clients. In addition, he is a consultant and Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP) specializing in safety, crisis, and workplace performance issues.  He has an M.S. in Counseling Psychology from Minnesota State – Mankato (1990) and an Ed.D. in Organization Development from the University of Minnesota (2002).

A reception will follow the event honoring Frank Wilderson, Jr., Ph.D., LP, with the John M. Taborn Award for Outstanding Contributions as a Mental Health Provider of African Descent.

The Minnesota Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.  The Minnesota Psychological Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS:  If you need disability related accommodations, including parking, to make this event accessible, please contact the Metropolitan State University Center for Accessibility Resources, 651-793-1549, or [email protected]

To Register:

Register Online

Click here for a pdf Registration Form 

Refund/Cancellation Policy: A 100% refund will be made if the event is cancelled. Refunds, less a $5 handling free, will be given if a written cancellation is received at least two working days before the scheduled program begins. Transfer of fee to another program is granted if written cancellation notice is received at least one day before the program. No refund or transfer is given the day of the program.


Contact: Rhea Sullivan, (952) 564-3048