A Dialogue remembering Dr. William Patterson, new therapies for Sickle Cell Disease and first Black professor teaching Manga in the US
Top picture: William Patterson, Ph.D.; Bottom left: Connie Piccone, MD; Bottom right: artist Kofi Bazzell-Smith
Central Illinois is grieving the loss of one of its favorite sons. William Patterson, Ph.D. (also known as Dr. P) died unexpectedly earlier this week. We talked with Sonya Holley and Stacey Robinson from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign about Patterson's life and mission. Click here for a comprehensive feature about Patterson's life and dedication to bringing STEM to Black neighborhoods. A celebration of life for the public will take place on Sunday, April 14, 3:00-7:00 p.m. at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts in Urbana.
We also talked with Connie Piccone, MD, of Carle Foundation Hospital. She is a pediatric oncologist hematologist who treats dozens of Sickle Cell Disease patients in Champaign Urbana. She talked about advanced therapies, what does it mean to carry the trait, and why management of the disease has improved.
Illinois Public Media host/reporter Kennedy Vincent talks with Kofi Bazzell-Smith, an MFA candidate in the School of Art and Design at University of Illinois Champaign Urbana. He is the first US professor and first Black man to teach a college course on the Japanese comic art form of 'Manga.' His last art exhibition will be held at the Krannert Art Museum on view from April 6 – April 20, 2024. Click here to listen to the entire interview.