February event to address tobacco and vaping cessation

Over the next 12 months, Wake County’s health equity initiative, HealthLit4Wake, will host quarterly, in-person town hall events aimed at addressing the burning health topics our community wants to know about.

Ask the Doc: A Wake County Town Hall will kick off its first events of the new year on Thursday, Feb. 15, and Tuesday, Feb. 20. The town halls will feature a panel of local medical experts who will delve into the latest updates on COVID-19, effective tobacco cessation strategies and the intricacies of vaping. All town halls are free to attend, and the Feb. 20 event is the Spanish version of Ask the Doc, Pregunte Al Doc.

“These town hall events bridge the gap between medical knowledge and public understanding, empowering community members to make informed decisions about their health and well-being,” said Wake County Commissioner Cheryl Stallings. “By coming together, residents can ask specific questions and get answers from experts, and as a County, we can learn how to improve the public’s access to care and resources.”

Ask the Doc Event Details

• Ask the Doc: Thursday, Feb. 15, at 6 p.m.
  Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 Brooks St., Wake Forest
  • Moderator: Dr. Rasheeda Monroe, MD, FAAP, UNC School of Medicine, Director, Kenan Urban Scholars, WakeMed, Physician, Primary Care Pediatrics
    Panelists:
    • ​​​​​​​Dr. Stefanie Etienne, MD, Medical Director/Family Physician at WellCare of North Carolina
    • Bolu Abe-Lathan, PA-C, Physician Associate at the Duke Smoking and Tobacco Cessation Program
    • Michael Scott, BS, CHES, Program Manager, The Center for Black Health and Equity (Tobacco Control/Vaping)
  • Those interested in attending and receiving a boxed dinner can RSVP at wake.gov/AsktheDoc.

• Pregunte Al Doc: Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 11 a.m.
  Mexican Consulate, 431 Raleigh View Road, Raleigh
  • Moderator: María Sánchez, El Centro Hispano
    Panelists:
    • ​​​​​​​Dra. Alejandra Bustillo, MD, Llibott Consultorios Medicos
    • Rachel Joyner, DNP, FNP-BC, APRN, NCTTP, Duke Cancer Institute
  • Presented in partnership with El Centro Hispano, The Mexican Consulate and Ventanilla de Salud
     

Future events are tentatively scheduled for May, August and October. For more information about Ask the Doc or other health equity initiatives in Wake County, visit wake.gov/HL4W.

Ask the Doc Town Halls
The Ask the Doc series began in 2021 amid COVID-19 as a way for the public to virtually connect with health professionals to understand the changing landscape of the pandemic. Since then, Ask the Doc has moved to in-person events and specialized events tailored for Spanish-speaking residents.

Hosted quarterly, each session features a panel of local medical professionals who share their expertise and engage with residents to address pressing health concerns.