Led by Drs. Daniella Zipkin and Alex Cho, residents in the Ambulatory Care Leadership Track (ACLT) traveled to Raleigh on May 17 for an advocacy day at the N.C. General Assembly to discuss one important subject: food insecurity in North Carolina; during a time when this issue was of great debate in the state budget. The trainees met with N.C. health care leadership, including Senator Mike Woodard (D - District 22), Representative Graig R. Meyer (D - District 50), Representative Gale Adcock (D - District 41), and Representative Yvonne Lewis Holley (D - District 38).
"The ACLT residents were inspired and energized by the experience of realizing the impact they can have at the Capitol!"
During the meetings, residents explained how food insecurity is linked to obesity, chronic diseases, and overall poor health, and used examples from their work at the Duke Outpatient Clinic (DOC) where they serve patients of all socioeconomic backgrounds. The group also supported the appropriations of HB387, the Corner Store Initiative, which aims to incentivize small store owners to carry healthier foods.
"The ACLT residents were inspired and energized by the experience of realizing the impact they can have at the Capitol," said Zipkin.
See the one-page “leave behind” that the ACLT created for legislators here.
This program received coordination support from the Duke Office of Government Relations.