HEALER: The Dr. Joycelyn Elders Story

From Sharecropper's daughter to the first African American Surgeon General of the United States, Healer is a documentary about the life of Dr. Joycelyn Elders.

Dr. Candace Bellamy wears multiple hats in her professional life which include working full-time as a physician for the military, soul singer and documentary filmmaker. She recently completed her first feature documentary "Healer," which chronicles the remarkable life of Dr. Joycelyn Elders, the first African American Surgeon General of the United States.

Seeking inspiration for her own professional journey, she embarked on a research project exploring the achievements of women in medicine. During her research, she discovered many trailblazers who paved the way for women in medicine, one of them being Dr. Joycelyn Elders. Meeting Dr. Elders and hearing her story deeply resonated with Bellamy, leading her to shift the focus of her documentary to highlight Dr. Elders' impactful journey.

Driven by her passion for storytelling and with the desire to uplift and empower women in medicine, Bellamy envisions developing future projects highlighting the achievements of women in medicine.

Website

About Dr. Joycelyn Elders:
Dr. Joycelyn Elders, born Minnie Lee Jones on August 13, 1933, in Schaal, Arkansas, is a rockstar in the world of public health. Hailing from a humble background, she broke through barriers to become the first African American Surgeon General of the United States. Her time in office from 1993 to 1994 was marked by her fearless advocacy for sex education, contraception, and drug legalization, making her a bit of a lightning rod for controversy, but also a hero for those pushing for progressive healthcare policies. Even after her tenure, she's been a fierce advocate for equitable healthcare access, inspiring folks everywhere to fight for a healthier, fairer world.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Content is geared toward adults, but people of all ages are welcome. Guests can arrive at any time between 1:30 and 2 pm (since this is a film screening we appreciate your timely arrival).

Photography: On occasion, we capture photographs or video for promotional and archival purposes. When registering for the event at The Forum, you give Columbia University in the City of New York the right to use you and your child's image for said purposes. We will never use your names, age or other identifying factors.

Questions? Email us at [email protected]

Event Venue

605 W 125th St, 605 West 125th Street, New York, United States