Whiddon College of Medicine promotes sickle cell awareness at Mobile ArtWalk
Posted on May 11, 2026 by Marketing and Communications
Members of the Whiddon College of Medicine community gathered in downtown Mobile on
Friday, April 10, to pedal for a purpose during the city’s monthly ArtWalk.
The event, a collaborative effort between the USA Health Johnson Haynes Jr., M.D., Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, the Whiddon College of Medicine’s Wellness Council, and the Mobile Chapter of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, focused on raising community awareness for sickle cell disease (SCD).
The TriSickle for Sickle Cell initiative featured the signature tricycles that have become a hallmark of the medical school's awareness campaigns. Faculty, staff and students took turns on the trikes, engaging with ArtWalk attendees to share information about the genetic blood disorder that affects approximately 100,000 Americans and an estimated 5,000 residents in Alabama.
For many involved, the event is a vital platform for advocacy and education in a region where the impact of the disease is deeply felt.
Laventrice S. Ridgeway, Ed.D., associate dean of student affairs at the Whiddon College of Medicine, emphasized that community visibility is key to improving outcomes for those living with the condition.
“Bringing our mission into the heart of Mobile during events like ArtWalk allows us to meet the community where they are,” Ridgeway said. “By continuing to foster these partnerships between our student leaders, the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, and local advocacy groups, we ensure that those affected by sickle cell disease remain at the forefront of our medical and social consciousness. It is through this collective effort that we can truly move the needle on advocacy and patient support.”
The Johnson Haynes Jr., M.D., Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center remains a leader in the region, providing a continuum of care for both pediatric and adult patients. Collaborative events like the TriSickle awareness booth help fund patient social services and educational resources provided by the Mobile Chapter of the Sickle Cell Disease Association.
Ardie Pack-Mabien, Ph.D., the center's director, said, "This event is an amazing opportunity to not only raise the public’s awareness of sickle cell disease as a public health concern but it also serves as a fun-filled opportunity for the center and College of Medicine to actively engage and educate individuals in the community about this very complex disease."
The Wellness Council plans to continue its outreach throughout the academic year, using unique community engagements to bridge the gap between medical education and public health advocacy.