Who We Are.

We are the Black Women Physicians Association (BWPA) and we put C.A.R.E. back into healthcare. Founded in 2019, BWPA is a powerful network of Black female physicians dedicated to improving health outcomes in communities of color and other underserved populations. We understand the deep impact a compassionate, human touch can have on healthcare—especially in women’s health.  As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, we work collaboratively with other stakeholders to tackle health disparities head-on, despite the complicated nature of this problem.

OUR CALL TO ACTION

Reimagine: research, advocacy, and succession to create better healthcare delivery systems that will benefit patients, families, and communities. As change-agents our goal is to improve health outcomes, reduce the burden on our nation’s healthcare systems, and ultimately lower costs for everyone. Better health is the foundation of stronger families, thriving communities, and a more resilient country.

As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said in 1965, “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and inhuman because it often results in physical death”. This truth remains as relevant today as it was back then. BWPA works to change that to make better health/health equity a reality for all.

 

Our Team

Compassionate Advocates, Responsive Experts (C.A.R.E.):

a cadre of medical, research, policy, education, and compliance leaders within hospital environments, private practices, professional organizations, private enterprises, and government.

 

Pamela Brug, MD, MS |

FOUNDER + PRESIDENT

Dr. Pamela Brug is board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology with over 25 years of experience. She earned her medical degree from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and completed her residency at Jersey City Medical Center. Dr. Brug is on the faculty of Rutgers University Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, and faculty in the Division for Advocacy and Outreach at the Rutgers-RWJMS Women’s Health Institute.

  • Additional Degree: Master of Science in Medical Education and Leadership from the University of New England.

    Specialty Interest: Black maternal and infant morbidity and mortality

    Affiliations: Hackensack Meridian Health Raritan Bay Medical Center and Hackensack University Medical Center; National Medical Association; Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Association of Westfield

    Care Philosophy: "people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel," Maya Angelou

    Personal: Dr. Brug is married and has three children.  She enjoys board games, biking, reading and traveling. 

Toni Otway, MD | VICE PRESIDENT

Dr. Toni Otway is board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She completed medical school at the University of Miami and residency at Staten Island University Hospital. After residency, she went into private practice serving the Staten Island, NY community. Dr. Otway is a Medical Director for Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.

  • Specialty Interest: Education and wellness for women in underserved communities, maternal and child health, and medical care for the uninsured.

    Affiliations: ABOG

    Care Philosophy:  Empowering people with knowledge that will help them make educated decisions about their health that will lead to better outcomes, and foster trust.

    Personal: Dr. Otway is married with one daughter. She enjoys traveling, pilates, reading and spending time with family and friends.

Damali Campbell, MD |

SECRETARY

Dr. Damali Campbell Oparaji is a board-certified physician in Obstetrics and Gynecology for over 20 years and more recently Addiction Medicine. She earned her medical degree from Temple University-Lewis Katz School of Medicine and completed her residency at Jersey City Medical Center, Mount Sinai Program.  In 2023  she  was promoted to  associate professor at Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Health.

  • Specialty Interest: Health literacy, food insecurity e.g., Addressing social determinants of health to  promote Health equity in women’s health.

    Affiliations: Board Member of Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Northern New Jersey (PPMNJ), National Medical Association NMA Board Member, Regional Trustee, NJ Medical Association Chapter President; NJ Maternal Mortality Review Committee, Appointed Public Board member of NJMIHIA

    Care Philosophy: Your zip code should not determine your access to quality care.

    Personal: Dr. Campbell Oparaji is married to partner Anthony and they have two children and both come from large immediate and extended families.  She enjoys cooking, traveling and being involved in her church.

Juana Hutchinson, MD, MBA |

TREASURER

Dr. Juana Hutchinson-Colas is a Professor and the Chief of the Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS). She also serves as the co-director of the Pelvic Floor Program at RWJMS. Dr. Hutchinson-Colas is board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and as a Subspecialist in Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, with over 27 years of experience. She earned her medical degree from the State University of New York Health Science Center in Brooklyn and completed her residency training at the same institution. Her subspecialty training was at Montefiore Medical Center, a teaching hospital affiliated with Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

  • Additional Degree: Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Healthcare from the George Washington University School of Business.

    Specialty Interest: Mentoring, postgraduate education, and pelvic floor health.

    Affiliations: The New Jersey Medical Association; the National Medical Association—Board of Trustees; member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG); and vice president of the New Jersey ACOG.

    Care Philosophy: Dr. Hutchinson-Colas believes in providing compassionate, patient-centered care that empowers individuals to engage actively in their health journeys. Her approach integrates evidence-based medicine with a deep respect for each patient’s unique needs, values, and goals. She strives to create a collaborative environment where patients feel heard, supported, and informed, enabling them to make confident decisions regarding their care. By fostering open communication and trust, she aims to address immediate health concerns while promoting long-term wellness and quality of life. As a healthcare leader, Dr. Hutchinson-Colas is dedicated to advancing equitable, high-quality care that respects the dignity of every patient and contributes to the overall improvement of healthcare systems.

    Personal: Dr. Hutchinson is married and has two children. She enjoys watching tennis, playing pickle ball, traveling, and reading historical fiction.