To: Board of Supervisors
From: John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Report Title: Honoring the legacy and service of Dr. Desmond Carson
Recommendation: Recommendation of Board Committee
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RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT Resolution recognizing Dr. Desmond Carson for extraordinary contributions to the health and wellness of our Contra Costa County community, as recommended by Supervisor Gioia.
FISCAL IMPACT:
NA
BACKGROUND:
Dr. Desmond Carson was a beloeved physician practicing in Contra Costa County.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
NA
The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, California
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IN THE MATTER OF, RECOGNITION OF THE LIFE, SERVICE, AND LEGACY OF Dr. Desmond Carson
WHEREAS, Dr. Desmond Carson was a Richmond native who chose to serve the community that raised him, earning admiration as a trusted African American physician and community advocate throughout Contra Costa County;
WHEREAS, following the 2015 closure of Doctors Medical Center, Dr. Carson and his team joined LifeLong Medical Care, helping establish Brookside San Pablo Urgent Care across from the former hospital and continuing to provide urgent care for local residents;
WHEREAS, Dr. Carson was a powerful voice for health equity, speaking out about barriers to care and advocating for improved access to urgent and emergency services for West Contra Costa communities;
WHEREAS, during the COVID19 pandemic, Dr. Desmond Carson served as a trusted messenger, urging communities of color to wear masks, get vaccinated, and take the disease seriously, including at County press conferences and public forums, and on national media;
WHEREAS, he repeatedly educated the public about recognizing symptoms of strokes and heart disease, and led outreach that saved lives in Contra Costa County;
WHEREAS, Dr. Carson consistently urged African American men to take high blood pressure and diabetes seriously, and created accessible health education content, including podcasts and video clips, specif...
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