260: Advancing Cancer Prevention, Challenging Stigma, and Leading with Purpose with Dr. Lisa Carter-Bawa, PhD, MPH, APRN, ANP-C, FAAN, FSBM

Public Health Careers

Public Health Careers
260: Advancing Cancer Prevention, Challenging Stigma, and Leading with Purpose with Dr. Lisa Carter-Bawa, PhD, MPH, APRN, ANP-C, FAAN, FSBM
Mar 31, 2026 Episode 260
Omari Richins, MPH

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast talks with Dr. Lisa Carter-Bawa, PhD, MPH, APRN, ANP-C, FAAN, FSBM.

In this conversation, Dr. Lisa Carter-Bawa shares her journey as a cancer prevention scientist and nurse practitioner, discussing her multiracial identity, the importance of community engagement in public health, and her philosophy of leadership.

She emphasizes the need for a return to one's authentic self rather than reinvention, the impact of stigma in healthcare, and the significance of trust in patient-provider relationships. Dr. Carter-Bawa also highlights her work in cancer prevention research and the integration of behavioral science into public health leadership. In this conversation, Dr. Lisa Carter-Bawa shares her journey from nursing to becoming a leader in public health and behavioral science. She discusses the importance of understanding the barriers to health screenings, particularly lung cancer screening, and emphasizes the need for awareness and education in communities.

Dr. Carter-Bawa highlights her commitment to continuous learning and the role of informatics in public health. She reflects on her experiences as a leader in spaces not traditionally designed for her and the importance of community engagement in research. The conversation concludes with insights on the cost of leadership and the importance of self-acceptance.


🎯  Learn more about this episode and resources mentioned


💡 1-on-1 mentorship & services
🎯 Check out career support products on storefront
🧠 Join our public health community

Chapters
@0:00 Introduction to Dr. Lisa Carter-Bawa
@5:43 Travel Experiences and Cultural Insights
@9:02 Soul to Soul Leadership: A Return to Self
@14:32 Leading a Population Science Institute
@19:09 Community Engagement in Cancer Research
@21:47 Patient-Centered Approaches to Screening
@22:45  Integrating Leadership and Public Health
@23:53 Advice for Emerging Leaders in Public Health
@25:49 Defining Public Health
@26:48 Pathway to Nursing and Patient Care
@29:54 Trust and Power Dynamics in Healthcare
@30:43 Pursuing a PhD and Behavioral Oncology
@31:38 The Journey to Knowledge Creation
@35:07 Understanding Barriers to Health Screenings
@38:22 Raising Awareness for Lung Cancer Screening
@42:09 The Value of Continuous Learning
@45:21 Transforming Public Health Through Informatics
@50:04 Breaking Barriers in Healthcare Leadership
@52:13 Building a Community-Centric Research Institute
@53:21 The Cost of Leadership and Self-Care

Support the show

Thanks for tuning in. Let's all work together towards a culture of health, wellbeing, and equity for all. 

⭐⭐ SUBSCRIBE & Leave a 5-STAR REVIEW! ⭐⭐


Follow & Support:
- Join The Public Health Community

- The Public Health Millennial on IG

- The Public Health Millennial on LinkedIn

- The Public Health Millennial Website

- Omari Richins, MPH on LinkedIn

- Support on The Public Health Store

Episode Artwork 260: Advancing Cancer Prevention, Challenging Stigma, and Leading with Purpose with Dr. Lisa Carter-Bawa, PhD, MPH, APRN, ANP-C, FAAN, FSBM 58:38 Episode Artwork How Student Loan Changes Endanger Public Health 7:09 Episode Artwork 259: Health Equity in Practice: Systems Change, Policy, and Community Engagement with Alexander Bonano, MPH 1:27:23 Episode Artwork Keep Fighting. Keep Dancing. A Message for the Public Health Community 4:03 Episode Artwork 258: Prevention Over Reaction: Rethinking Violence Through a Public Health Lens with Robert Mahoney 1:08:43 Episode Artwork Black History Month Is Public Health Work (Whether You Realize It or Not) 10:46 Episode Artwork 257: An Arts in Public Health Career Journey with Jennifer Kuo, MPH, CHES 1:08:05 Episode Artwork The future of public health is uncertain. 17:03 Episode Artwork Navigating Post-Graduation Pressure in Public Health 4:09 Episode Artwork 256: Falling Into Public Health: How an Unexpected Path Led to a Global Health Consulting Career with Nadia Tekkal, MSPH, MS 1:14:16 Episode Artwork Why the U.S. Food Pyramid Is Moving Backwards (While Other Countries Move Forward) 5:23 Episode Artwork 255: What Anti-Trafficking Work Really Looks Like with Erin Williamson 1:06:11 Episode Artwork What Public Health Achieved in 2025 Despite the Challenges 10:16 Episode Artwork 254: The Liver We Ignore: A 60-Year Fight for Prevention, Education, and Public Health with Thelma Thiel 59:58 Episode Artwork From Burnout to Clarity: A Goal-Setting Framework for Public Health Professionals 11:43 Episode Artwork 253: Before the Next Crisis: Stories Public Health Can’t Afford to Forget with Dr. Tista Ghosh 57:07 Episode Artwork Public Health Degrees Just Got Devalued (Here’s What That Really Means) 7:54 Episode Artwork 252: Building Community Engagement & Effective Communication Skills with Alexandra Piatkowski, MPH, PMP 1:15:47 Episode Artwork 251: Mindset, Mentorship, and Making Impact: Thriving in Public Health with Brittaney Jenkins, BS, CHES 57:54 Episode Artwork Food Security Crisis: Understanding SNAP Cuts 7:30 Episode Artwork 250: From Broadcast Journalism to Suicide Prevention Leader with Dr. Walker Tisdale III 1:26:14 Episode Artwork You Chose Public Health for a Reason (Here’s How to Keep Going When It Feels Heavy) 9:07 Episode Artwork 249: From Public Health Communications to Founding South Asian Care with Nishat Uddin, MPH 1:01:58 Episode Artwork Shutdown = Public Health Challenge: What You Need to Know 7:53 Episode Artwork 248: Making Public Health Fun: How Health Whiz Is Changing the Game with Tobi Dare, MPH, and Tosin Ogunsola, MPH 1:15:07