Clear Lungs, Clear Skies: Tackling Asthma Triggers & Management with BPOU

Springtime in Utah’s high desert can be beautiful—but for many Black and underserved Utahns it also brings wheezing, coughing, and ER visits. Join the Black Physicians of Utah for “Clear Lungs, Clear Skies: Tackling Asthma Triggers & Management,” a free interactive webinar that demystifies asthma and equips you with culturally informed tools to breathe easier. We will present and discuss common—but often overlooked—triggers in our homes and neighborhoods; how to recognize early warning signs; navigating Utah’s air‑quality alerts; and practical steps to craft an asthma action plan that works. Whether you’re a patient, parent, or ally, come learn, ask questions, and leave empowered to cut asthma disparities and protect every breath.

Aaron Dadzie is a medical student at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine. He is originally from Ghana but grew up largely in San Antonio, Texas. He received in Bachelors in Biochemistry from the University of Texas and he is currently pursuing a research year at the University of Utah as a Plastic Surgery Research Fellow. He will graduate in May 2026 and pursue an integrated plastic surgery residency. His career goals revolve around becoming an academic plastic surgeon with a subspecialty in craniofacial surgery. He is passionate about global surgery and healthcare disparities.

BIO:

Dr. Richard Ferguson is a distinguished physician leader, health equity advocate, and community organizer dedicated to improving healthcare outcomes and advancing inclusivity in medicine. He serves as the President and Founder of the Black Physicians of Utah (BPOU) and as the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for Health Choice Utah, where he oversees clinical strategy and operations for the organization’s Medicaid health plan.

With a medical career rooted in service, Dr. Ferguson has consistently championed initiatives that address systemic healthcare disparities. As the leader of BPOU, he has created transformative programs that empower underserved communities and diversify the healthcare workforce. Under his leadership, BPOU has launched cornerstone initiatives such as the Medicine Immersion Day, which connects Black physicians and medical trainees with young Black and marginalized students to inspire future healthcare professionals. He also spearheads the BPOU Clinical Research Internship, offering Black undergraduates and rising freshmen immersive opportunities to engage in clinical research, fostering early career pathways in medicine.

In his role as CMO at Health Choice Utah, Dr. Ferguson has been instrumental in developing programs to improve access to care for historically marginalized populations. His work focuses on aligning clinical excellence with health equity, ensuring that Medicaid beneficiaries receive high-quality, person-centered care. His expertise spans medical necessity evaluations, inpatient care standards, and population health strategies that improve outcomes while containing costs.