Let's Talk About Your Breasts

Dr. Lori Choi returns to the show to discuss the declining state of women's healthcare in Texas. She and Dorothy highlight the shortage of resources, particularly in rural and low-income areas.  Dr. Choi’s organization, "I'll Have What She's Having," incorporates her medical background and aims to support uninsured workers, especially women, in male-dominated fields. Efforts focus on raising aware...

Maya's journey from medical school to the Rice Business Board Fellows program highlights her ambition to address systemic public health issues. Focusing on internal medicine and cardiology, Maya discusses with Dorothy how she leverages an MD/MBA to understand the business side of medicine. Her dedication to healthcare access and innovation drives her work in nonprofits and medical technology. Key...

En este episodio, hablamos con Maribel, sobreviviente de cáncer de mama diagnosticada en The Rose. Maribel comparte cómo el cáncer de su hermana menor fue una señal de alerta que la motivó a realizarse una mamografía sin seguro médico. Gracias a la ayuda de The Rose, pudo recibir un diagnóstico a tiempo, lo que fue crucial para su tratamiento. Maribel nos cuenta sobre los desafíos emocionales, la...

Jennifer Parrish, Manager of Business Services at the Lighthouse of Houston, joins Dorothy to share her story. Parrish talks about managing work at the Lighthouse of Houston, overcoming transportation issues for treatments, and addressing misconceptions around breast cancer.  Despite facing breast cancer, legal blindness, and personal loss, Jennifer's resilience and positive attitude shine. She em...

Since the death of her Aunt Tonja from breast cancer, Chrissy Ransome has redoubled her efforts to ensure women in her community get the screening they need. Tonja's late-stage diagnosis, partly due to being uninsured, profoundly impacted Chrissy. Now, she channels her grief into action, spreading awareness and resources through various community initiatives. Key Questions Answered 1.)Who is Chris...

Reena Friedman-Watts, host of the popular Better Call Daddy podcast, shared the challenges she faced in scheduling a mammogram due to the complexity of the healthcare system. Despite being insured, navigating referrals and regulations proved difficult. Reena’s conversation with Dorothy conversation highlights the importance of advocating for oneself and the systemic changes needed to improve acces...

Dr. Mahdieh Parizi is a pioneer in women's healthcare at the VA, and she speaks with Dorothy about the introduction of patient self-scheduling for mammograms and the multifactorial approach to improving patient return rates. Parizi mentions hosting educational events for clinicians and patients to highlight the importance of regular screenings. Additionally, Parizi shares insights on balancing pro...

En este episodio, Elda Gavidia, directora de comunicaciones de The Rose, explica la importancia de este nuevo podcast en español para la comunidad hispana. Hablemos de Nuestros Senos busca romper barreras, educar y apoyar a las mujeres hispanas en su lucha contra el cáncer de mama. Elda comparte alarmantes estadísticas, los desafíos únicos de la comunidad en cuanto a acceso a cuidados y recursos,...

In this episode, Dorothy Gibbons welcomes back Courtney Clark, a guest whose story captivated listeners and became the most downloaded episode in the podcast's two-season run. Courtney, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at 23 weeks pregnant, returns to share an update on her journey two years after her initial treatment. Key Questions Answered Who is Courtney Clark and what significant experien...

How does a mother navigate a healthcare system that often fails to see her pain? Courtney Clark's struggle with medical dismissal and racial bias highlights a critical gap in healthcare. At 34, while nursing her daughter, she discovered a lump only to be dismissed by her doctor. Her story underscores the importance of advocating for oneself and seeking thorough medical attention. Key Questions Ans...

Why is access to timely breast cancer treatment still a challenge for uninsured Texans? Dorothy Gibbons' joins CanCare President and CEO Darcy Wells to discuss The Rose’s mission. Fueled by the stories of uninsured women, Gibbons and her team strive to bridge the gap in healthcare. Their patient navigation program stands as a testament to hope and resilience. Learn more about The Rose and our miss...

How crucial is advanced breast care for women's health? Jessica Duckworth, COO of the Rose, sheds light on the importance of new breast imaging services and genetic testing. By integrating these state-of-the-art technologies, the Rose aims to provide comprehensive care for both insured and uninsured patients. This initiative strives to catch breast cancer at its earliest stages, ensuring better tr...

Dr. Popp returns to the podcast to discuss healthcare challenges for the uninsured. We'll explore the work at Christus St. Mary's Clinic in Houston, focusing on preventive care and early detection. Dr. Popp shares shocking statistics, like "when an uninsured person is diagnosed with breast cancer, 60% of the time they will die of breast cancer than an insured woman." We'll discuss mobile mammograp...

To say Dr. Sean Fitzpatrick helped The Rose navigate the pandemic would be an understatement. As the Executive Director of The Jung Center, he’s not only given our community hope in the darkest of times, but he’s also done so for countless others in the Houston area. During this conversation, Dorothy and Dr. Fitzpatrick talk about the past four years and how they’ve impacted the breast cancer comm...

Alicia Um says to step out on faith. The 2008 recession left her family broke and a breast cancer diagnosis made matters worse. With nowhere to turn, her husband moved out of state to find work while she underwent treatment, all while raising kids. During this conversation, you’ll hear from both Alicia and her husband, Aaron. They discuss their faith, the importance of staying positive, and how th...

Claire Goosey is a twenty-two year breast cancer survivor.  Through Serve Up a Cure, she and her tennis buddies raise money for the women of The Rose. And they’ve raised a lot of it. During this episode, Dorothy and Claire discuss her journey to survivorship, her family history, and how she found a unique opportunity to combine her love of tennis with breast cancer advocacy. In fact, Claire loves...

Linda Rhodes, Executive Director of The Women's Fund for Health and Resiliency , highlights the significant disparities black women face in maternal mortality, breast cancer, and heart disease. Drawing from her own personal advocacy during a hysterectomy, Linda underscores the importance of self-advocacy in healthcare. Her mission with The Women's Fund is to empower women and girls to speak up and...

An estimated one out of every one-hundred breast cancers diagnosed are found in a man. Charlie Morris is one of them. And he joins Dorothy to talk about his experience. During this episode, you’ll learn how he discovered his cancer, how he beat it, the reaction from the guys at work, and what he does to spread awareness in the community. Help us grow the show by leaving a review on your podcast pl...

Linda Petticrew's battle with breast cancer at 34, and her daughter Rachel Evans' decision to have a prophylactic mastectomy at 25, reveal a narrative of resilience and proactive health decisions. Diagnosed with the BRCA1 gene, Rachel chose surgery as a precaution, influenced by her mother's experience with the disease. Their story highlights the importance of genetic testing and the strength foun...

”If your doctor didn't listen to you, you need to find another doctor.” Those are the words of Stacy Papillion. Affectionately known as “Sargent Pap,” Stacy knows a thing or two about breast cancer. She beat it twice. The second time around was a battle she fought alongside her own mother. During this episode, Dorothy and Stacy discuss the beginning of her journey, how her community of peers ralli...

Why is breast cancer prevention so crucial? As a woman, Giang urges early mammograms to tackle the fear of the disease head-on.  Dr. Moosa, having a personal connection as his wife is a survivor, emphasizes accessible mammography for early detection. Their shared mission is to spread awareness and ensure timely medical intervention. Key Questions Answered 1. Why is The Rose’s mobile mammography co...

Roxann Hayford works as The Rose's Marketing Project Coordinator. Her skills as a communicator were put to the test, as she decided to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. And she passed! During this conversation, you'll not only learn why she chose to Jump for The Rose, but you'll also hear how she talked about The Rose's mission while floating thousands of feet in the air. Help us grow the sho...

How much of a game changer is breast MRI for high-risk women? Dr. Raz joins the podcast to talk about this very subject. We'll explore why MRI is crucial for early detection and how it compares to mammograms. Dr. Raz discusses who's considered high-risk and why combined screening methods are essential. As Dr. Raz emphasizes, "When you catch it early, it's curable." Join us to learn how advanced im...

How did a pageant queen become a beacon of support for breast cancer awareness? Destiny Fernandisse's commitment to The Rose stems from personal experiences with breast cancer in her family. Her mother's battles with the disease, particularly when she was uninsured, inspired Destiny to give back. Now, she organizes unique fundraisers, such as casino nights, to ensure women like her mother receive...

Daniel Barron lost his sister to inflammatory breast cancer in 2005. There was no history of breast cancer in their family. And Ana was too young to die, only 30 years old. She had two small children and had her entire life ahead of her. The symptoms were not the typical you associate with breast cancer. Initially, the symptoms were passed off as mastitis. During this episode, Dorothy and Daniel s...