Advocates in Action

What happens when a doctor stops practicing for the system and starts practicing for the people? In this heartfelt conversation, Ashley D. Freeman sits down with Dr. Aisha Harris, a family physician and proud Flint, Michigan native, to explore what it means to be a community doctor. From returning home to serve the city that raised her, to building a membership-based practice centered on trust, ti...

In this episode, Dr. Kristi Kirschner, a physician, educator, and leader in disability-inclusive healthcare, whose career began the same year as the Americans with Disabilities Act became law shares that even more than 30 years later, the promise of that moment still feels unfulfilled. Healthcare continues to lag behind other systems in accessibility and widespread ableism prevents patients from r...

In this episode, Dr. Ann Cheney shares about Unidas por Salud, a community–academic partnership made up of community members, students, and academics working together to advance health equity in underserved communities. This women-led group is transforming care in the Eastern Coachella Valley, where environmental hazards and structural inequity are reducing the quality of health outcomes. Through...

Dr. Philip M. Alberti joins host Ashley D. Freeman to explore how we can “hold the line” and defend equity in healthcare—while challenging the false narrative that some communities must lose for others to thrive. Drawing from his recent Milbank Quarterly article “Health Equity Benefits All Communities—Including White Ones,” Dr. Alberti unpacks how language, measurement, storytelling, and belonging...

Ever wonder why “equity” can mean so many different things—and why getting it right matters so much? In this episode, we dive into the power of defining equity clearly and why the words we use shape real-world solutions in health and social systems. Listen as Reginald Tucker-Seeley breaks down how organizations can align their values with actions, build consensus, and use storytelling to bring dat...

What happens when passion meets purpose in the face of injustice? When the COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep cracks in our healthcare system, Dr. LaShyra “Lash” Nolen didn’t wait for someone else to fix them—she stepped up. As vaccine rollouts began, she saw firsthand how the needs of marginalized communities were being ignored. In response, she launched the We Got Us Project —a revolutionary health...

What turns someone into a passionate healthcare advocate? For many, it’s personal experience—facing their own health struggles, losing a loved one, or confronting glaring health inequities. After the heart-wrenching loss of her husband, Chadwick Boseman, Simone Ledward-Boseman became a fierce advocate for health awareness. As a caregiver to Chadwick during his battle with colorectal cancer, Simone...

Redefining Care: Kathleen Noonan on Transforming Health Systems In the U.S., our healthcare system often treats problems in isolation—healthcare, housing, education, and more are handled separately, leaving many with complex needs without coordinated care. But what if there was a way to break down these silos? Complex care aims to change that by improving health and well-being for people with mult...

Transforming Communities, One Day at a Time: Clovia “Ms. Community Clo” Lawrence on Building Health Justice Health justice is more than just a concept—it's a powerful, community-led movement that’s all about building power and creating transformative change from the ground up. And at the heart of this movement is Clovia “Ms. Community Clo” Lawrence , a relentless advocate for her community in Rich...

Unpacking Health Equity: Advancements in Healthcare and the Gaps for Vulnerable Communities Over the past few decades, healthcare has seen monumental advancements in technology, treatments, and systems. But have these breakthroughs reached the communities that need them most ? In this powerful discussion, join Gwen Darien from the Patient Advocate Foundation , along with three transformative leade...

The Power of Patient Navigators: A Lifeline on Your Healthcare Journey A medical diagnosis can be life-altering, thrusting you into a whirlwind of information, treatment options, and a new reality you never expected. The path ahead can often feel overwhelming, isolating, and even defeating. But you don’t have to navigate it alone. Patient navigators are there to help guide you every step of the wa...

Creating Change from the Ground Up: Darryl Jefferson’s Mission for Health Equity in Jackson, Mississippi There’s a special kind of connection when you work to improve the health and well-being of the very community you call home. Darryl Jefferson embodies this deep-rooted commitment to change as he pours his passion into transforming the health landscape of Jackson, Mississippi . With his roles as...

A Journey of Strength, Faith, and Family: Desiree Nuckols on Her Breast Cancer Story When faced with a breast cancer diagnosis, each person must decide whether to take the journey privately or lean on the support of those around them. For Desiree Nuckols , who was diagnosed at just 28 years old, the choice was clear—she would face the fight with her family by her side. This decision wasn’t without...

Empowered and Heard: Vanessa Spurlock’s Journey from Cancer Patient to Advocate What if your doctor made you feel like you were their only patient ? For Vanessa Spurlock , this was her reality—and it empowered her to take control of her own journey through breast cancer. With a deep sense of trust , respect , and care , Vanessa formed a unique partnership with her healthcare team at Virginia Commo...

A Journey of Connection: Understanding Shared Decision-Making with Patients, Caregivers, and Providers What does shared decision-making really mean for those living with cancer and chronic diseases? To answer that, we embarked on a year-long journey —traveling to Ruleville, Mississippi , Richmond, Virginia , and Los Angeles, California —to co-create workshops that brought together patients , careg...

Understanding Health Through Diversity: Dr. Luisa Borrell on Hispanic and Latino Health Inequities To truly tackle health inequities , we must first understand the unique challenges faced by each community. When it comes to the Hispanic and Latino populations, it’s crucial to avoid generalizations —these groups are not monolithic. The key to accurately assessing health disparities is in understand...

Resilience in the Face of Erasure: Advocacy, Identity and the Future of Native Communities "There have been so many attempts to erase us, to destroy us, to take our lands. And we are still here, we're strong. We're one of the youngest and fastest growing populations in the country." — Erik Stegman , Executive Director of Native Americans in Philanthropy Imagine being torn from your family, your ho...

Walt Whitman once said, "I am large, I contain multitudes," and this quote beautifully reflects the complexity and diversity of our identities. But does our healthcare system truly embrace and celebrate this diversity? Dr. Erica Concors takes us on a journey of community organizing and advocacy to create welcoming medical spaces where the LGBTQ+ community , especially transgender and non-binary in...

Generations of Advocacy: A Conversation on Healthcare, History, and Healing In this powerful seventh season , host Ashley D. Freeman sits down for an intimate, intergenerational conversation with Pamela Browner White to explore their origin stories —how they first encountered the healthcare system and how caregiving at a young age shaped their understanding of advocacy. Both women share how their...

Building Bridges to Health Equity: A Path Toward Change What drives someone to dedicate over 20 years to public health and social justice? For Reggie Tucker-Seeley , it’s a deep-rooted commitment to building solutions that will create lasting change in the communities and populations that need it most. In this enlightening conversation, Reggie takes us on a journey through his professional path ,...

The Power of Being Yourself: Kellan Baker on Health Equity and Personal Well-Being Every experience in life shapes our health—whether it’s the environment we live in, the communities we’re part of, or the relationships that support us. Our lived experiences outside the doctor’s office are just as crucial as what happens within those walls. Kellan Baker reminds us that patients are the experts of t...

Building Trust: Navigating Research and Healthcare in Marginalized Communities When it comes to conducting research, how do you foster a genuine, healthy relationship with the communities you’re working with? In marginalized communities, where a history of harm and mistreatment runs deep, trust becomes the foundation for everything. Katie Cueva emphasizes that researchers must not only be invited...

Unpacking Health Inequities: How Social Determinants Shape Our Health Outcomes The conditions in which we live— safe housing , access to transportation , freedom from violence , access to nutritious foods , and clean water —are far more than just conveniences; they are critical to our overall health outcomes . But what happens when these basic needs are out of reach? Dr. Zinzi Bailey dives deep in...

How Identity Shapes Our Health Care Experience Every day, the way we navigate the world is shaped by our race , gender , sexual orientation, and age —but how do these identities affect the care we receive and the care we provide ? In this compelling conversation, Hanane Abdalla , Arthur Pope, MD, PhD , and Sandra Sufian, PhD, MPH share their deeply personal stories about how their identities influ...

Dying to be Heard: Adrienne Moore's Fight for Health Equity for Black Women For too long, the health concerns of Black women have been dismissed, leading to devastating disparities and worse health outcomes. Adrienne Moore , a two-time cancer survivor , respiratory therapist , and patient advocate , opens up about her personal battle—one that reveals how identity and bias delayed her own cancer di...