Dr. Willis and Clarene Mitchell initiated a candle tribute at the Milwaukee LIHF Collaborative meetings to give honor to infants that have died in Milwaukee and serve as a focal point prior to each meeting. The candles are set up to vividly show the disparities between black and white infant deaths; black babies in Milwaukee die three times more often than white babies; a statistic that is worse than for some developing countries.
PHOTO (left): Candle tribute during a Milwaukee LIHF meeting. Earnestine Willis, MD, MPH, MCW Health Equity Director, is shown with Patricia McManus, MD, President and CEO of Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin.
PHOTO (right): Earnestine Willis, MD, MPH, MCW Health Equity Director, is shown (on the left) lighting candles as Clarene Mitchell, MCW Health Equity Program Manager (on right) provides explanation on what the candles represent.