The Bridge: Your Health Your Voice

The PATIENTS Professors Academy provided Brian Gutierrez with a solid foundation in patient-centered care, equipping him with the knowledge and tools to effectively serve and advocate for the Spina Bifida community. A 2022 graduate of the PPA, Brian has since used his advocacy work to empower others to find their voice in healthcare. His impactful contributions led him to return as a seminar leade...

Patient centricity puts patients' needs, values, and experiences at the heart of healthcare. In this episode, Dr. Anthony Yanni,Senior VP and Head of Patient Centricity at Astellas, shares insights into how patient perspectives shape every phase of medicine development—from early research to delivery. Discover the key strategies for improving outcomes byprioritizing what truly matters to patients....

Join us on The Bridge: Your Health, Your Voice as we welcome Pam Cusick, Senior Vice President of Rare Patient Voice. Discover how Rare Patient Voice empowers patients and caregivers, both for rare and non-rare diseases, byconnecting them with opportunities to share their insights with researchers. Pam highlights the importance of amplifying community voices to drive meaningful change. Visithttps:...

The PATIENTS Program has perfected the recipe for engaging communities in impactful, patient-centered research. Now, with the Going National Initiative , we’re taking our success beyond West Baltimore to communities across the country. Join Executive Director C. Daniel Mullins in this exciting 2025 kickoff episode as we share our proven approach and vision for national replication. Visit https://p...

Join us as we reflect on an incredible year at The Bridge! From thought-provoking conversations to inspiring stories that uplifted and connected our community, 2024 was a journey to remember. We'll revisit highlights, share behind-the-scenes insights, and celebrate the impact we’ve made together. Tune in for a heartfelt wrap-up of the year that was—and a glimpse of the exciting future ahead! Visit...

In this episode of The Bridge , Jazmiera Smothers take the reins as guest host to guide an insightful and heartfelt conversation with Tallulah Anderson, an active participant in the CO-PILLAR study. Tallulah shares her journey through CO-PILLAR’s study stages and the four foundational pillars of health—physical, mental, spiritual, and financial. Tallulah speaks passionately about how CO-PILLAR cre...

In this episode of The Bridge Your Health Your Voice , we are joined by Dr. Kyla Liggett-Creel, Executive Director of the EMBRACE Initiative. Dr K as she is affectionally called, describes how EMBRACE partners with community groups to build a world that is safe, just, and equitable. She gives insight on EMBRACE's core philosophy: individuals with lived experience are the true experts and are best...

In this episode, we dive into the challenging and often hidden issues of domestic violence. Where silence can be the norm, even in faith-based settings. Beverly Reddy, the founder, and CEO of Ishsah’s Place discusses the cultural barriers that prevent open conversations, the silence within families, and the role of education in breaking this cycle of secrecy. We explore how faith communities can b...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Michael Scott, an award-winning advocate for prostate cancer awareness and active surveillance. Michael sheds light on the complexities of prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment, from low-risk cases that may never need treatment to high-risk ones requiring urgent care. He discusses the importance of "shared decision-making" between patients an...

PATIENTS Day 2024 is here! Registration information is below!! In this week’s episode, Dr. Jason Falvey and Jazmiera Smothers dive into their roles for PATIENTS Day on Saturday, September 21, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University of Maryland, Baltimore Community Engagement Center. PATIENTS Day is more than just an event—it's a transformative experience for community residents, patients, res...

In this episode, we explore a critical issue faced by older adults recovering from serious injuries: mobility. Our guest, Dr. Jason Falvey from the University of Maryland School of Medicine is dedicated to improving the quality of life for seniors with new disabilities. His research focuses on enhancing the ability of older adults to move safely and freely within their homes and communities. Join...

The mouth is the portal to the body. This week, we are joined by Dr. Eleanor Fleming and fourth-year dental student Elizabeth Knight from the University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Dentistry. Together, they delve into the importance of oral health and highlight the health disparities in various communities. The Bridge is the official podcast for the University of Maryland Baltimore School of...

We are incredibly proud of our work and our team members' achievements. Many of our former Post Docs have gone on to make significant research contributions, carrying forward the PATIENTS Program's mission of bridging the gap between community and research. In this episode, host Rodney Elliott is joined by Moaz Abdelwadoud and Nabil Natafgi to discuss how the PATIENTS Program has shaped th...

Why is it important to involve the community in violence prevention research? This episode of "Bridge: Your Health, Your Voice" answers that question and more as we sit down with Dr. Nadine Finigan-Carr, the Executive Director of the UMB Center for Violence Prevention. Visit https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-patients-program to stay updated on both past and upcoming episodes. T...

Welcome to our annual Summer Roundtable Series, ASTARISQ: Addressing Systemic and Structural Racism to Improve Safety, Quality, and Trustworthiness in Health Delivery Systems (HDS). This year's theme is AWARENESS. We believe that we cannot address or change a problem if we do not see it. In our 2024 series, we will explore the impact of racism on HDS and identify opportunities to determine the...

Join us on this episode of "The Bridge, Your Health, Your Voice" as we welcome Elita Hill, a passionate anti-racism advocate and dedicated member of the PATIENTS Professors Academy. Elita shares her invaluable insights on health equity and discusses her efforts to amplify the voices of the underserved. Please tune in to learn more about her inspiring journey and commitment to making your...

Join us as we listen to Jazmiera Smothers's courageous journey navigating mental health and grief. Her compassion leads us through the complex terrain of grief. Jazmiera underscores the vital significance of acknowledging and meeting the needs of our community amidst the challenges of loss. Check out Jazmiera's links below. http://www.thejazmierajanay.org https://linktr.ee/iamjazmierajanay...

Discover the power of leadership with Dr. Franklin Lance, guiding both Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church and the PATIENTS Programs Steering Committee. In this exclusive episode, Dr. Lance shares his visionary perspective on the future of Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church and the impactful PATIENTS Program. Tune in for a compelling discussion on leadership, community, and the journey ahead. Visit https://podcast...

Barbarajean Shaneman, affectionately known as Miss Bj, shines brightly as a jewel of our community. With over 40 years of experience as a community nurse and health advocate, she serves as our Senior Program Specialist for the Engagement team of the PATIENTS Program. Throughout her illustrious career, Miss Bj has tirelessly provided free healthcare services, leaving an indelible mark on numerous c...

We are immensely proud of the dedicated efforts of our PATIENTS Program staff, who work tirelessly each day to make a positive impact on the community. In this episode, Brittany Harris and Tralisa Colby dive into their respective roles within the program and share their strategies for tackling systemic barriers that hinder health equity within the community. Visit https://podcasters.spotify.com/po...

Discover the profound challenges of mental health within the LGBTQ+ community in our latest episode of The Bridge podcast. Join us as we discuss this critical topic with our special guest, America Islas, a dedicated advocate for mental health and a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Tune in for insightful discussions and powerful insights. Below are resources provided by our guest, America Islas The...

Unlock the extraordinary abilities of our 2023 PATIENTS Academy graduates such as Patrick Gee and Beth Brooks share their empowering journey. Join us to discover how the PPA has equipped them with the superpower to cultivate trust within the community for health research. Explore the impact of your voice and learn why it truly matters in shaping the future of healthcare. Tune in to witness the tra...

The Forward Women’s Leadership Forum, spearheaded by Colette Colclough, aims to unite a diverse group of women, fostering connections and providing access to essential resources. With a vision to empower women to excel in various aspects of their lives, including health, finance, entrepreneurship, and career advancement, this platform equips them with the tools and support needed to thrive and suc...

Discover the distinctions of mental health beyond the holiday blues in this insightful episode. Join Rodney Elliott as he engages in a conversation with Jennifer Pope, author, and founder of The Pope’s Foundation. Gain valuable insights into identifying and understanding mental health issues that can persist beyond the holiday season. A must-listen for anyone looking to navigate and support mental...

The PATIENTS Program hosted a conference, Shining the Spotlight Wide (SHOW), which generated discussion on how to foster collaboration among patient and stakeholder partners, dissemination scientists, and Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) investigators. The focus was on addressing challenges that hindered the seamless dissemination of research findings. In this episode, we talk with Joe Ho...