Influential Women spotlights Dr. La'Shardae Scott's sickle cell advocacy leadership

By AI, Created 4:24 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – Influential Women is showcasing Dr. La’Shardae Scott, DSW, the president and CEO of the Scott Center for Observation, Treatment and Transition, for her work expanding transitional care for people living with sickle cell disease. Her leadership spans Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan, where she is pushing for equity, funding and family-centered support.

Why it matters: - Dr. La’Shardae Scott leads Ohio’s first nonprofit focused on transitional care for people living with sickle cell disease. - The Scott Center for Observation, Treatment and Transition serves families across 11 counties in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan. - Scott’s work targets long-standing gaps in healthcare access, outcomes and support for underserved communities. - Sickle cell disease remains one of the least funded chronic illnesses nationwide, making advocacy and fundraising central to expanding care.

What happened: - Influential Women is featuring Dr. La’Shardae Scott, DSW, MSW, CHES, CHW, as a nationally recognized leader in social work, health equity and sickle cell advocacy. - Scott serves as president and CEO of the Scott Center for Observation, Treatment and Transition, also known as S.C.O.T.T. - The profile highlights her role in building transitional care services for individuals and families affected by sickle cell disease. - Scott is also a TEDx speaker, award-winning advocate, published author and a nationally respected voice in healthcare equity.

The details: - Scott has secured millions of dollars in funding to expand services and programming for people affected by sickle cell disease. - Scott co-authored the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention oral health manual for sickle cell patients. - Her academic background includes a Doctor of Social Work in Administration and Leadership from the University of Kentucky. - She earned a Master of Social Work focused on Mental Health and Substance Use Recovery from Eastern Michigan University. - Scott also holds a Women’s Entrepreneurship Certificate from Cornell University. - She serves as a part-time professor at Eastern Michigan University and the University of Kentucky. - Scott says her leadership combines clinical expertise, policy advocacy and education to support patient- and family-centered care models. - Scott is the mother of two boys living with sickle cell disease. - Scott said, “Their needs and my desire to protect them and improve outcomes inspired everything I do.” - Scott told young women entering the field: “Don’t let anyone dim your light.” - Scott also said: “Invest in yourself and ensure your mission reflects your core values.” - She was recognized among the Top 80 Most Influential Advocates and Leaders in Sickle Cell Research 2026.

Between the lines: - Scott’s advocacy is framed as personal and professional, which gives her work both lived experience and policy credibility. - The profile underscores a broader strategy for sickle cell advocacy: connect disease-specific efforts to minority health and mental health funding streams. - The emphasis on relationship-driven leadership suggests S.C.O.T.T. is trying to pair direct services with community trust.

What’s next: - Scott is continuing to push for broader funding and more integrated support for sickle cell initiatives. - Her next phase appears centered on expanding community-based solutions and closing care gaps for vulnerable populations. - Influential Women directs readers to Scott Center staff information and Scott’s Influential Women profile for more information.

The bottom line: - Dr. La’Shardae Scott has turned personal experience into a statewide and regional advocacy platform aimed at improving care, equity and outcomes for people with sickle cell disease.