BlackDoctor Announces 2026 Top Blacks in Healthcare Honorees

Leading health website celebrates excellence, innovation, and impact with Thought Leadership Summit, Hall of Fame Reception, and 11th Annual Awards Gala 

CHICAGO, April 16, 2026 — BlackDoctor (www.BlackDoctor.com), the largest trusted health and wellness platform for Black communities, today announced its distinguished list of 2026 honorees for the 11th Annual Top Blacks in Healthcare (TBH) Awards Gala & Thought Leadership Summit.

For more than a decade, Top Blacks in Healthcare has recognized the leaders shaping the future of medicine, research, public health, and industry. Now in its 11th year, the event continues to bring together the nation’s leading Black physicians, executives, and changemakers for an experience centered on progress, connection, and impact.

The two-day experience begins April 22nd with the Hall of Fame Induction Reception, honoring six trailblazers whose legacy continues to influence the future of healthcare. On April 23rd, the Thought Leadership Summit will convene top voices for a full day of forward-thinking dialogue focused on improving health outcomes in Black communities, followed by the Awards Gala that evening, recognizing 14 healthcare leaders whose work continues to elevate the standard of care. BlackDoctor will also present its inaugural Rising Star Award, recognizing an emerging leader in healthcare.

To register or tune in to the Thought Leadership Summit livestream, click here.

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“At BlackDoctor, we believe it is essential to recognize the leaders who are not only excelling in their fields but also transforming the future of healthcare for our communities. The honorees at the 11th Annual Top Blacks in Healthcare Awards Gala embody vision, service, innovation, and impact. I am proud to celebrate their extraordinary contributions and the legacy they are building for generations to come.” 
– Akinwole Garrett, President

The 2026 Top Blacks in Healthcare Award Honorees

Dr. Cheryle Baptiste-Hill — Immediate Past President, National Dental Association
Yvonne Bryant — Commercial Head of Hemoglobinopathies, Novo Nordisk
Jason Carter — Senior Marketing, AbbVie
Sakinah Conway-Geneus — Executive Director, Customer Experience & Collaboration, U.S. Pharma Medical Affairs, Bayer
Dr. Ogo Egbuna — Vice President and Clinical Development Leader, Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Dr. Keith Ferdinand — Professor of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine
Ricki Fairley — CEO, TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance
Dr. Janet Franklin — Vice President, Global Development Biosimilars, Amgen
Rodney Gillespie — Senior Vice President, U.S. Oncology TA Head, Novartis
Dr. Roger A. Mitchell — President, National Medical Association
Dr. Randall C. Morgan — Executive Director, President & CEO, W. Montague Cobb/NMA Health Institute
Dr. Jayne Morgan — Vice President, Medical Affairs, Hello Heart
Dr. Robert Winn — Director, VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center

Rising Star Honoree

Charity Williams — Director, Patient Marketing, Union Chimique Belge

In addition, BlackDoctor will induct its second class into the Top Blacks in Healthcare Hall of Fame, recognizing past honorees whose legacy and contributions continue to shape the future of healthcare.

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“I couldn’t be more excited to celebrate our 2026 Hall of Fame inductees — an extraordinary group of leaders who are not only advancing healthcare, but redefining what’s possible for our communities. Each honoree represents excellence, innovation, and a deep commitment to impact. This year’s class is a powerful reminder that when we elevate our voices and our stories, we create lasting change that reaches far beyond today.” 
– Derrick Lane, Chief Marketing Officer

The 2026 TBH Hall of Fame Inductees: 

Regina Benjamin, MD, MBA – Former US Surgeon General
Oliver Tate Brooks, MD, FAAP, FCPP – 120th National Mecial Association President
Conrod Kelly  – U.S. HIV Business Head, Merck
Ponda Motsepe-Ditshego, MD  – Vice President, Amgen
Rhonda Peebles – Head of U.S. Dermatology, Union Chimique Belge

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ABOUT BLACKDOCTOR BlackDoctor is the world’s largest and most comprehensive digital health platform built to address how care is experienced in Black communities. The company provides culturally-grounded guidance, expert-backed content, and AI-powered tools designed to help individuals and families make informed health decisions and to support healthcare professionals in delivering more effective care. BlackDoctor focuses on underreported health trends, patient education, and practical tools that reflect how care actually works – where culture meets care.