School of Public Health
UofM SPH Joins Memphis Sickle Cell Disease Mental Health Coalition
Tuesday, 05 May 2026
The newly formed group, headed by UofM SPH graduate student, Ombeni Moses Idassi, is conducting a review of local mental health services for individuals suffering from sickle cell disease, specifically young adults transitioning from pediatric to adult care.
SPH Community Outreach Representative, Steve Shular attended the coalition’s meeting at the University of Memphis on April 29, 2026.
The coalition is part of the School of Public Health Changemakers initiative that creates opportunities for public health students to ideate innovative, out-of-the-box solutions for public health challenges here in the City of Memphis and beyond.
The coalition will also identify community-based grants and other resources for sickle cell patients and their caregivers.
(Left) SPH Community Outreach Representative, Steve Shular and SPH Graduate Student, Brennan Steele, Christian Psychology Center, Dr. Tony Lugemwa, UTHSC, ’25 UofM SPH PhD Graduate, Dr. Jerlym Porter, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Ombeni Idassi, Memphis SCD Mental Health Coalition - Changemaker, Andrea Morgan Sickle Cell Foundation of Tennessee, Riley Gorden, Sickle Cell Foundation of Tennessee, Shania Robinson, UofM SPH Undergraduate and Memphis Health Jamboree - Changemaker
The Office of Communications at The University of Memphis School of Public Health