WE ARE BWPA
The Black Women Physicians Association (BWPA) puts C.A.R.E. (Collaborative Advocates, Responsive Experts) back into healthcare. Founded in 2019, BWPA is a powerful network of Black female physicians dedicated to improving health outcomes in vulnerable communities. Our experiences show that compassion in healthcare—especially in women’s health—drives better outcomes. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, we work collaboratively to tackle health disparities head-on despite the complicated nature of this problem.
OUR CALL TO ACTION
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.
BWPA WORKS FOR CHANGE TO MAKE BETTER HEALTH A REALITY FOR ALL.Collaborative Advocates, Responsive Experts
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C.A.R.E.
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Collaborative Advocates, Responsive Experts ✻ C.A.R.E. ✻
HERSTORY
In 2019, amid the COVID-19 pandemic and New Jersey’s alarming Black maternal mortality crisis, Dr. Pamela Brug turned personal struggle into purpose.
Having endured her own maternal health nightmare and continuing to witness correctable systemic healthcare failures, she gathered like-minded physicians—Drs. Campbell-Oparaji, Hutchinson-Colas, and Otway—to form the New Jersey Black Women Physicians Association (NJBWPA/BWPA). Their mission was clear: fight disparities, save lives, and center C.A.R.E. in healthcare.
From the start, BWPA worked hand-in-hand with communities, advocates, and policymakers, including the late Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver, NJ Doulas of Color, and the RWJ Women’s Health Institute. Their relentless advocacy helped drive New Jersey’s nation-leading decline in Black maternal mortality, proving that targeted, physician-led change works.
In May 2025, BWPA was thrilled to name Viergela Louidor as its first Executive Director. Viergela is a bold strategist and activist, and provides BWPA a fresh, systems-changing approach to its mission of eliminating health disparities. While not a physician, Viergela has a record of challenging structural inequities and building bridges. Her expertise ensures that BWPA will go beyond the symptoms to address the root causes of health injustice.
BWPA is a powerful force—bridging gaps, amplifying voices, and proving that when Black women physicians lead, health outcomes improve.
Eliminate health disparities through physician-driven innovations
Our MissionA C.A.R.E. physician managing every individual’s health journey
Our VisionLeadership
Our leadership is a powerhouse of physicians, researchers, and advocates who bring expertise, empathy, and relentless dedication to health justice. We don’t just talk about change—we work individually and collectively to make it happen.
Board of Directors
Physicians dedicated to putting C.A.R.E. back into Healthcare
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 pickleball, traveling, and reading historical fiction.
Executive Director
Viergela Louidor
Transformative leadership doesn’t always wear a white coat.
Viergela brings a visionary approach and deep-rooted commitment to health equity in her role as the inaugural Executive Director of the Black Women Physicians Association (BWPA). A trusted partner early in the organization’s founding, Viergela played a central role in implementing the physician-led BOD’s vision for BWPA—guiding its operational development, fostering cross-sector relationships, and driving a more than 400% increase in resources to support its mission.
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With a background in business development and social impact consulting, Viergela has consistently bridged the gap between vision and execution. Her efforts have catalyzed sustainable partnerships, amplified advocacy efforts of the BWPA and underrepresented students in health research.
Viergela is a systems thinker who brings clarity and cohesion to complex challenges recognized for her unique ability to connect the dots across sectors, disciplines, and lived experiences. Her work bridges business development, nonprofit strategy, and community engagement—aligning seemingly disparate efforts into meaningful, forward-moving initiatives. Whether mobilizing cross-sector partnerships or guiding operations, she leads with intention, insight, and deep listening.
As Executive Director, Viergela is focused on scaling BWPA’s impact—expanding community-based research and mobilizing statewide advocacy efforts. Her forward-looking leadership is rooted in purpose, collaboration, and a vision for a healthier collective future for all.