Theme: The Men's Room Health Forum - Journey Through Health Challenges

The MEN'S ROOM HEALTH FORUM is a presentation of men's health and the journey through health challenges.
Men HATE to go to the doctor. Men HATE to be ill. Men HATE to show weakness.
Men do not like to be made to feel powerless or helpless about health decisions.
It can be uncomfortable for men to have open and honest discussions about their health. These discussions are a form of intimacy that they are unfamiliar with. They are hesitant to trust medical professionals with their concerns about health. This makes men reluctant to participate in doctor visits to gain information. Men also do not acknowledge or know warning signs of preventable health diseases. These are reasons that preventable disease becomes health disparities for men.

Anderson-Clarke Center Hudspeth Auditorium
Rice University Susan Glasscock School of Continuing Studies
6100 Main
Houston, Texas, 77005
United States

Reginald DesRoches

Rice University President and Chief Executive Officer

Reginald DesRoches is the eighth president and CEO of Rice University and its 8,600+ students, eight schools and over 900 faculty. He also serves as professor of civil, environmental and mechanical engineering. He previously served as Rice's Howard Hughes Provost and William and Stephanie Sick Dean of Engineering. He is a member of the prestigious National Academy of Engineering, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, an American Society of Civil Engineers fellow, and Structural Engineering Institute fellow. DesRoches is a member of the Academy of Distinguished Alumni in Civil Engineering at his alma mater Berkeley and is an honorary alumnus of Georgia Tech. DesRoches was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and grew up in Queens, New York. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Master of Science in Civil Engineering and Doctorate in Structural Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. Reggie and wife Paula have three children Andrew, Jacob, and Shelby.

Rodney Ellis

Harris County Commissioner Precinct One

Harris County Commissioner Precinct One Rodney Ellis was born and raised in Houston’s Sunnyside neighborhood. The proud son of a yardman and a maid, Ellis attended Texas public schools from K-12 through law school. He holds a bachelor's degree from Texas Southern University, master's degree from Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, and J.D. degree from University of Texas School of Law. As Commissioner from January 2017, Ellis played a critical role by securing misdemeanor bail reform, flood equity guidelines, stronger worker protections, economic opportunity provisions, and funding for indigent defense. COVID-19 recovery funding included direct relief for residents, small business assistance, emergency rental assistance, homeless shelters, and IT hardware to low-income students. Prior to Commissioner, Ellis was elected to Houston City Council and served 3 terms. He was elected to Texas Senate District 13 in 1990, served for 26 years, and passed over 700 pieces of legislation.

Sherman Desselle

Moderator and News Reporter

Sherman Desselle is a Louisiana native, News Reporter and Fill-in anchor for FOX 26 in Houston TX. He is a Murrow Award-winning journalist and graduated from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches LA. His career began in his hometown of Alexandria when NBC affiliate KALB News Channel 5 NBC offered Sherman a part-time photographer job. Hurricane Gustav and the historic flooding of Central Louisiana launched his career as a reporter. Sherman served as morning anchor for KALB's Louisiana Broadcasting Award-winning program Jambalaya before becoming the Weekend Anchor at WDSU/NBC in New Orleans. Sherman is passionate about community service and development. Sherman speaks to youth, emcees events, and moderates debates and forums. Through his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, he organizes events to raise college scholarship funds. Sherman enjoys the performing arts and served on the Board of Directors for the Rapides Symphony Orchestra. Sherman is a father to two little boys and a husband.

Sylvester Turner

62nd Mayor City of Houston

Sylvester Turner served as the 62nd Mayor of Houston TX. His service as mayor to the city of Houston was for two terms from 2016-2023. He is an attorney, politician, and Acres Homes resident. Sylvester dedicated his life to public service. He was elected to the Texas House of Representatives District 139 and served 27 years from 1989 until 2015. He was Speaker Pro Tempore in the Texas House from 2003-2009. Sylvester received his B.A. degree in Political Science from the University of Houston and his J.D. degree from Harvard Law School. Turner also taught at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University, the South Texas College of Law, and at the University of Houston Law School’s continuing legal education program. Sylvester is father to Ashley P. Turner-Captain, and father-in-law to Jimmie Captain.