Mati Hlatshwayo Davis
American physician and public health researcher
Dr. Matifadza (Mati) Hlatshwayo Davis (born 1982) is a Zimbabwean born, American based physician and public health expert in Missouri. Her subspecialty is infectious diseases, with a focus on community engagement addressing health disparities amongst people from historically marginalized groups. She serves as the Director of Health for the City of St. Louis Department of Health.
Quote edit
- What is true for my family is not true for the family next door or down the street. We get nowhere venting our frustrations through talk of blame. So when we don’t see people masking, when we don’t see people doing what we think they should be doing, let’s just really be thoughtful about how we engage people and have healthy conversations to get our communities where we’d like to see them.
- And my primary focus across all of those priorities, whether it's with my staff, with COVID, and with other health care conditions, is equity. Making sure that I lead with equity, that I center equity, and that I do everything with a lens for equity.
Quotes about her edit
- Hlatshwayo Davis said her interest in public health was shaped by the death of her father, who was diagnosed with cancer and diabetes.
- At 39 years, she has made history as the first black woman health director of St. Louis.
- With her impressive background and extensive experience as an infectious disease expert, I am confident in Dr Hlatshwayo Davis’ ability to lead our Covid-19 response as well as our efforts to improve health outcomes across the city
