Natasha Aldridge is a Perinatal Health Justice Equity Advocate and Family Support Professional with a mission to ensure that every pregnant, postpartum, and birth family has access to and receives safe, equitable, high-quality care. 

Ms. Aldridge has served over 70 families with Full Spectrum Community Doula Support and assisted over 400 women with holistic wrap-around services, within the last four years. She brings a broad array of expertise. Starting her business Natural Queen Essentials with being an ambassador and guidance coach for Endometriosis, she then began assisting clients with preconception wellness which then led her to becoming a Doula. 

After becoming a Full SpectrumDoula, she began to collaborate with local collectives, non-profits and volunteering in the local jail. In the jail she found her passion with assisting with weekly peer support, prenatal yoga, and justice births and separation visits along with the facilitation of justice involved lactation. Becoming a prison doula, led her to maternal mental health, trauma informed training, and lactation support.

With a background of Business Administration/ Management and Criminology she also brings being a Certified Virginia State Doula, ChildBirth Educator, Certified Maternal Mental Health SupportSpecialist, National Advanced Prison Doula, Facilitation of Doula Trauma Training CertifiedLactation Support, Surgical Birth and VBAC Birth Support, Nursing Assistant and Medical Billing andCoding, Fertility/Abortion Doula Certification Menstrual Equity Facilitation. 

Within the last few months she has assisted with the on-boarding of 100 Doulas, received the Catalyst of Change Yearly Award and became a member of Mom Congress, and collaboration with community service agencies to establish national and state, cultural interventions through outreach specifically working in the states of Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Texas in hospitals, homes and birthin gcenters to advance best practices and improve outcomes in maternal and infant health through policy. As Natasha navigates this journey, she leads an array of mentorship and team building within the Perinatal Community. 

Phil Gee was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) in 2015, one year after retiring from a very successful thirty-three-year career holding a number of engineering, manufacturing and supply chain senior level positions. 

Since his PD diagnosis, Phil and his wife, Julia (who first met in the 1st grade & have been married for 36 years), have become active advocates for others living with PD and their care partners. In 2017, they moved from metro Atlanta to Hilton Head, and immediately joined the local Rock Steady Boxing program, an intensive boxing/exercise program that has proven to slow the progression of  Parkinson’s Disease, which is  incurable.

They began to look throughout the South Carolina Lowcountry and didn’t really see other Black people who said that they had PD. That started their journey to become PD advocates, helping others with PD and their care partners to learn more about PD and how to live a better life with the disease. 

Phil has served four years on the Parkinson’s Foundation People with Parkinson’s Advisory Council. Julia is currently on the Advisory Board for the Foundation’s Carolina Chapter, and chairs their local PD Support & PD Care Partner Support groups. Together they have participated as panelists and speakers in a number of PD symposiums, co-chaired multiple Parkinson’s Foundation Moving Day Fundraisers, and participated in several pharmaceutical focus groups/patient panels. 

Today, they are active with the Special Interest Group – Black Diaspora steering committee working to drive development of solutions to mitigate health disparities in the Black Community with a focus on issues of the Black PD Community.

Evelyn Stevens, MPH, is the Senior Director of Community Engagement at the Parkinson's Foundation since September 2022. Prior to this role, Evelyn held positions as Clinical Research Project Manager, Clinical Research Coordinator III, and Clinical Research Coordinator II at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in the Division of Hematology and Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center. Before that, Evelyn worked as a Health Educator and Clinical Research Coordinator at Penn Medicine's Raymond and Ruth Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine in the Abramson Cancer Center. Evelyn holds a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Temple University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology: Bio-Psychosocial Health from Lincoln University.

A life long social activist, Obery Hendricks is one of the foremost commentators on the intersection of religion and political economy in America. He is the most widely read and perhaps the most influential African American biblical scholar writing today. His recent book, Christians Against Christianity: How Right-Wing Evangelicals Are Destroying Our Nation and Our Faith (Beacon Press, 2021) has gathered wide acclaim. Cornel West calls him “one of the last few grand prophetic intellectuals.”

A widely sought lecturer and media spokesperson, Dr. Hendricks’ appearances include CNN, MSNBC, CBS, Fox News, Fox Business News, the Discovery Channel, PBS, BBC, NHK Japan Television and the Bloomberg Network. He has provided running event commentary for National Public Radio, MSNBC, and the al-Jazeera and Aspire international television networks. Dr. Hendricks has served in the Religion and Foreign Policy Working Group at the U. S. Department of State under Secretaries of State Hillary Clinton and John Kerry; was a member of the Faith Advisory Council of the Democratic National Committee, for whom he delivered the closing benediction at the 2008 Democratic Convention; served on the National Religious Leaders Advisory Committee of the 2008 Democratic Presidential campaign. He is a Distinguished Senior Fellow at The Democracy Collaborative in Washington, DC; has been an Affiliated Scholar at the Center for American Progress; was a Senior Fellow at The Opportunity Agenda social justice communications think tank; is on the Advisory Board of the Institute of Christian Socialism; and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI). Dr. Hendricks has been a frequent contributor to the Huffington Post and Salon.com, a former editorial advisor to the award-winning Tikkun magazine, and a contributing editor to The Encyclopedia of Politics and Religion. The Dictionary of Biblical Interpretation has called his work “the boldest post-colonial writing ever seen in Western biblical studies.”

Hendricks’ award-winning book, The Politics of Jesus: Rediscovering the True Revolutionary Nature of Jesus’ Teachings and How They Have Been Corrupted (Doubleday, 2006), was declared “essential reading for Americans” by the Washington Post. Social commentator Michael Eric Dyson proclaimed it “an instant classic” that “immediately thrusts Hendricks into the front ranks of American religious thinkers.” The Politics of Jesus was the featured subject of the 90-minute C-SPAN special hosted by the Center for American Progress, “Class, Politics and Christianity.” The tenth anniversary of its publication was acknowledged at a major 2016 panel at the American Academy of Religion at its annual convention in San Antonio, TX. Governor Howard Dean, former chair of the Democratic National Committee, has called his book, The Universe Bends Toward Justice: Radical Reflections on the Bible, the Church and the Body Politic(Orbis, 2011), a “tour de force.”

A former Wall Street investment executive and past president of Payne Theological Seminary, the oldest African American theological seminary in the United States, he is currently a Visiting Scholar at Columbia University in the Department of Religion and the Department of African American and African Diasporic Studies; a Visiting Professor at Union Theological Seminary; and Emeritus Professor of Biblical Interpretation at New York Theological Seminary. An Ordained Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Hendricks holds the Master of Divinity with academic honors from Princeton Theological Seminary, and both the M.A. and Ph.D. in Religions of Late Antiquity from Princeton University.     

Jay Ell Alexander is motivated by her passion for sparking a change in the minds and bodies of others through her entrepreneurial spirit. As owner and CEO of The Vaughn Strategy, a branding and public relations firm and Black Girls RUN!, a national running organization, she leads a powerful movement that has resonated with a huge audience. 

Over the last decade, she has established herself as a communications professional with a true commitment to community engagement through her passion for health and fitness. She is also the Founder/Executive Director of the BGR! Foundation and the co-owner with her husband of C+J Alexander Investments. 

Black Girls RUN! has helped shift the consciousness of culture for over 250,000 African American women, encouraging them to adopt a healthy, active lifestyle through running, movement and community. It has also transformed the running community and aided in the diversification and increased participation in the sport of endurance distance running. Alexander has received national and international notoriety since the start of her tenure including partnerships with Saucony, Ford, Facebook, Brooks Running, REI, Fleet Feet and media coverage on NBC News, Good Morning America, ESSENCE, The O (Oprah Winfrey) Magazine and Ebony Magazine.

A native of Norfolk, Va., Mrs. Alexander received her Communications degree from George Mason University and her Master’s degree in Strategic Public Relations from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is also a graduate of the University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business Nonprofit Executive Leadership program and a Certified Run Coach.

She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Spring 2007) and the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). She serves a variety of community boards and has completed numerous half marathons, 10Ks and 5Ks and two marathons. She has been recognized by iPower Richmond 30 under 30, George Mason University Black Alumni’s 40 Under 40 and the Rising Star Award by PRSA Richmond.

Jay Ell and her husband Christopher are the proud parents of 4-year-old, Chris, Jr. and 2 year old daughter, Jaycee. They are also proud pup parents to an 8-year-old black Lab, named Luna.

Don't miss The Balm In Gilead's  Multiple Myeloma Spotlight on our website!

This week's guest, Dr Joseph Mikhael MD, MEd, FRCPC, FACP,  leads the M-Power project in the African American community for the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF). Dr. Mikhael is a Professor in the Applied Cancer Research and Drug Discovery Division at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), an affiliate of City of Hope Cancer Center. He is the Chief Medical Officer of the IMF and Director of Myeloma research at the HonorHealth Research Institute. 

Dr Mikhael specializes clinically in plasma cell disorders, namely multiple myeloma, amyloidosis, and Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia. He is the PI of many clinical trials, primarily in relapsed multiple myeloma, and his other clinical research interests include pharmaco-economics, communication skills, and media relations. Dr. Mikhael also serves as the Treasurer on the executive board of the American Society of Hematology. 

Dr Mikhael has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles in these fields, and lectures internationally on a regular basis.  He is also the chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council at TGen.  Dr. Mikhael is heavily involved in training future researchers, and mentors junior faculty worldwide.  He also spends nearly 20% of his time in the third world developing collaborations in myeloma and finding ways to enhance access to novel treatment agents.

Marvell L. Terry II (he, him, his) is a powerhouse educator, grassroots activist, and cultural organizer from Memphis, Tennessee. HIV advocacy and cultural organizing are personal for him; It was the moment he received a positive diagnosis of HIV that jump-started his more than decade-long career that has had a local, state, and national impact.

Marvell was passionate about improving the health outcomes of Black gay and queer men in Memphis, that’s why he started his advocacy work by co-leading an HIV ministry at Christ Missionary Baptist Church, being an HIV tester and EIS at Christ Community Health Services, and volunteering on community task forces. Not long after, he answered a higher call to leadership by founding his own organization: The Red Door Foundation (2010). Marvell was recognized as the only Black gay man living with HIV to found and lead an organization for HIV awareness and engagement at the time in Shelby County. Doubling down on his commitment to community, he started the Saving Ourselves Symposium (2013), a one-of-a-kind conference in the South for the Black LGBTQ community to address health, wellness, and social injustices.

One of Marvell’s biggest thrills was expanding his impact to a national scale by joining the Young Black Gay Men’s Advocacy Coalition Policy and Advocacy Summit as co-chair of the Organizing Committee (2014); the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRCF) as an HIV Fellow (2015) and AIDS United as a Senior Program Manager of the Southern HIV Impact Fund (2018). He is known as a people-minded strategist: He established a leadership pipeline in the HIV movement by co-creating the HIV 360 Fellowship Program at the HRCF and improved grantmaking efforts and philanthropic funding sources within AIDS United to support organizations in the South working at the intersection of HIV and social justice.

Marvell is a former board member for Hope House (Memphis, 2022-2023), an advisory board member for Wake Forest University School of Divinity, and a founding member for the HIV Racial Justice Network. In September 2023, Marvell was sworn in as a member of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS during the 78th Full Council meeting.

His published written works on HIV research and injustices can be found in the Journal of Health and Disparities Research and Practice, Rhetoric of Health and Medicine, TheBody.Com, and more. Marvell’s work unapologetically centers the lives, the culture and the resilience of Black folks. When Marvell isn’t on the ground engaged in HIV advocacy and education, he’s experiencing joy: grooving to the sounds of Fantasia, J.Cole, 6LACK, and JeRonelle or enjoying buttermilk pancakes with crispy edgesat any time of the day.

In this episode, Dr. P is joined by lawyer and activist Dafina Ward, JD.

Dafina Ward, J.D. is an attorney and non-profit strategist with nearly fifteen years of experience addressing HIV and health equity issues in the southern United States. Working in partnership with a range of advocates—from grassroots leaders to federal decision-makers—she is a trusted voice in regional and national spaces. With nearly twenty years of experience in community grantmaking, Dafina is an expert in place-based funding strategies, coalition-building, and capacity building for emerging organizations and leaders. 

Dafina currently serves as Executive Director of the Southern AIDS Coalition (SAC), an organization of regional focus and national reach, with a mission to end the HIV epidemic in the South. Through a range of programs and initiatives across the sixteen southern states and Washington, DC, SAC utilizes community-centered policy advocacy, grantmaking, leadership development, and capacity building trainings to support transformation in the region. In 2019, SAC created Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day [SHAAD] to amplify the HIV crisis in the region. Under Dafina’s leadership, SHAAD has become a nationally recognized day adopted by hundreds of organizations and reaching thousands annually. 

Dafina has developed innovative programming for women and girls. She led the creation of Beauty in Knowing, an intervention that Johnson & Johnson deemed "globally innovative", training cosmetology students to engage clients in conversations about HIV, sexual health, and intimate partner violence. 

As a founding member of the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham LGBTQ Fund, she created a grantwriting training for LGBTQ+ youth, and developed a mini-grant process to support their vision. In recognition of her work, the LGBTQ Fund awarded “Dafina Ward Grants” to small LGBTQ-led organizations in 2017.

Dafina shares her reflections on the intersections of race, gender, and health through writing, with work appearing in the Washington Post, Role Reboot, and The Body. She was recognized by POZ Magazine twice in 2021—as the July/August POZ Hero and as a member of the 2021 POZ 100 (the magazine’s list of the 100 most influential Black HIV advocates in the nation). 

Dafina received her BA in Mass Media Arts from Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta, GA) and her Juris Doctor from Temple University’s Beasley School of Law (Philadelphia, PA). She and her husband reside in Bluffton, South Carolina with their brilliant daughters.

In this episode, Dr. P has a stimulating discussion with two insightful guests: Pastor Gerard Duncan and Jude Ngang.   

Pastor Gerard Duncan is the senior pastor of Prayers By Faith Family Ministries in Gainesville, Florida.  He works closely with faith leaders to increase awareness of health and wellness within their churches and the communities they serve.  Additionally, Pastor Duncan is  the CEO of Community Partners and Engagement Consultants, and the executive director of the Pleasant Street Social Justice and Cultural Arts Center.

Paston Duncan is a member of Florida’s Statewide Faith and Community Advisory Council within the Executive Office of the Governor, and he participates in the Alachua County Christian Pastors Association, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice's Faith and Community Network, the Santa Fe College Community Advisory Board and the Gainesville Thrives.  He travels extensively both nationally and internationally speaking on topics on health equity, health disparities and mental wellness.

Jude Ngang is Executive Director, Representation in Clinical Research (RISE) at Amgen. He leads the RISE team dedicated to improving proportional representation in clinical trials in alignment with Amgen's Environmental & Social Governance imperatives, health equity narratives, and ethical research commitments. 

Prior to taking the lead role for Amgen’s RISE team, Jude was Team Lead in Oncology Early Clinical Development Operations, with experience in developing targeted therapies for lung cancer and other solid tumors. During his tenure in this role, Jude received an Amgen 'Innovation Trail Blazer' award for his leadership in the design and execution of the clinical operations strategy for the LUMAKRAS (for lungcancer) first in human study that contributed to the acceleration of the program. He was also a post-doctoral fellow in translational medicine at the Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research and served as AdjunctAssistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at MCPHS University in Boston. Jude has been with Amgen for over 6 years and has held leadership roles for the Amgen Black Employee Network (ABEN). He specializes in clinical sciences & innovation, with a focus on patient recruitment/retention and representativeparticipation in clinical trials across multiple therapeutic areas. Jude is also a pharmacist by training with aPharmD from Roseman University of Health Sciences.

A charismatic praise & worship leader, Washington, D.C.-based Dr. Stephen Hurd wears all the hats one can possibly wear as a contemporary gospel artist. He has done spoken word pieces, sung many more, directed choirs and arranged vocals, led countless praise & worship workshops, and written several songs that are regularly sung at Sunday services, including "Undignified," "Great Praise," and "Zion Is Calling," all while attending to his first calling as a Baptist minister.

Victoria A. Smalls, a native of St. Helena Island, SC, serves as President & CEO at Smalls Cultural Resources, championing Gullah Geechee communities across the southeastern United States. 

With a focus on climate, land, and ocean justice, Smalls Cultural Resources is dedicated to preserving Gullah Geechee heritage through history, art, language, and culture. With two decades of experience, Victoria has held significant positions including former federal Commissioner on the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission and Executive Director of the Gullah Geechee Corridor National Heritage Area. 

Her impactful leadership extends to organizations such as Penn Center National Historic Landmark District, International African American Museum, and the National Park Service. Passionate about community advocacy and service, in 2022 Victoria received The President’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Fitness and nutrition expert Michelle D. Hare shares how we can succeed on our path to a healthier lifestyle.

Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Michelle is a longtime dance and exercise enthusiast.  She obtained a B.S. and M.S. from the State University of New York at Buffalo and also received a second B.S., with honors, from the City University of New York at Queens College, where she majored in nutrition and exercise sciences.

Michelle is a certified group exercise instructor with the American Council on Exercise® and personal trainer via the American Council on Exercise and Applied Academy of Personal Training Education®. She also holds kickboxing,  Zumba® and Silver Sneakers® instructor certifications. She is also a Balm In Gilead Lifestyle Coach.

Currently residing in Atlanta, GA, Michelle is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.  She is a former board member of the Georgia Diabetes Coalition, Urban League of Rochester, NY, Wilson Commencement Park and the National Sales Network – New Jersey/New York Chapter.  Michelle also co-founded the “Girls Mentoring Program” to reach students in the Lakeview community on Long Island, New York.​

Rev. Dr. Sande Bailey-Gwinn is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Foundations for Living, based in Jefferson, GA.

Foundations For Living is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating Transformational Moments through Inspiration and Education that will empower Low to Moderate Income families and all clients to envision, discover, implement and achieve personal/professional goals.

Foundations For Living focuses in four areas of service: Mental Health; Career Development, Domestic Violence, and HIV Prevention.

Yolanda Reed is the Owner, President and CEO of Eudora Enterprises, LLC where she functions in the knowledge, understanding and workings of the Proverbs 31 woman. She purchases real estate and invests in other capital ventures. “She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers”.

Yolanda is the Owner, President and CEO of Credential America, Inc.  Credential America is a nationally recognized Credentials  Verification Organization that assists healthcare facilities with their credentialing and enrollment needs.

She is currently a member of the Medical Staff State Associations of Florida, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York and her home state of Virginia and the National Association.  

Yolanda is a co-founder and member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Richmond Metropolitan Chapter.  She serves on the Diaconate Ministry of First Baptist Church of South Richmond.

Yolanda enjoys spending time with her daughter and business partner (Leah), family and friends.  She also enjoys international travel and listening to jazz. She loves to share her entrepreneurial faith journey.

Dr. P looks back on 2023 and The Balm In Gilead's many accomplishments during the year. She expresses special appreciation for the  amazing faith and health professionals who have helped make the organization's programs successful.

Life expectancy for Black Americans is four years shorter than it was 20 years ago.  
In this episode, Dr. P delves into this sobering statistic. She  identifies youth suicide as well as maternal and infant mortality among the factors that contribute to the overall decline in Black Americans' lifespans. 

Dr. P urges concerned listeners to attend the Healthy Churches 2030 Conference, which will feature expert presentations on these topics, including steps we can take individually and collectively in response.

Register for the Healthy Churches 2030 Conference at hc2030.org.

Many Black Americans are not aware of the problematic  government policies that affect our lives and communities. In this episode, Dr. P welcomes Pamela D. Price for a discussion about  policy issues having immediate impact on our health and well-being, including drug prices and digital equity.

Pamela D. Price currently serves as the Deputy Director for The Balm In Gilead, managing the health programs and policy initiatives of the organization.  

Mrs. Price holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health and has more than 20 years of experience in public health, epidemiology, and healthcare. She has served as a member of the U.S. Army Nurse Corp and excelled in leadership at government and non-government agencies in the areas of program management, quality improvement, and project development.  

During the summer, the Balm In Gilead conducted events in five cities as part of the Healthy Churches 2030 Roadmap Tour. In this episode, Dr. P and Cary Goodman discuss the importance of providing  vital  information about diseases and conditions affecting African Americans. Looking ahead, they preview the 10th Anniversary Healthy Churches 2030 Conference, which will take place November 13-16, 2023.

Cary Goodman is a Program & Strategic Development Consultant for The Balm In Gilead. An ordained minister, Cary works  at the intersection of faith and public health, with an emphasis on building coalitions and relationships in order to strengthen congregations and communities.

Dr. P and Dr. Saraswathy Nochur discuss why it is imperative that people of diverse backgrounds participate in clinical trials. Dr. Nochur explains what happens before, during, and after a clinical trial and notes that  people can find a clinical trial for which they may be qualified by visiting www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Saraswathy Nochur is Chief DE&I Officer at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals in Cambridge, MA where she works with various stakeholders to increase diversity, promote equity and foster inclusion at Alnylam, and also co-leads initiatives to increase diversity in clinical trials.  She previously was Head, Global Regulatory Affairs at Alnylam for 14 years, enabling the development and approval of four RNA interference therapeutics for rare diseases.  She has been in the Boston biotechnology industry since 1989.  Sara holds a Ph.D. in Biochemical Engineering from MIT.  

Sara is on the Board of Marinus Pharmaceuticals, a company developing innovative therapeutics to treat rare seizure disorders and of Decibel Therapeutics, who are developing regenerative and gene therapy strategies to restore hearing and balance. She is a host and member of the Board of Hospitality Homes, a non-profit organization that provides free/low-cost housing for patients/families who seek medical care in Boston. She is also on the Board of Biomedical Science Careers Program (BSCP), a non-profit organization that aims to increase the representation of underrepresented minority and disadvantaged individuals in all facets of science and medicine. 

Please note that the website "clinical trials.gov" was inadvertently referred to as "clintrials.gov" in this episode. Please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov to find out more information about clinical trials being conducted in the United States.

Hereditary ATTR amyloidosis, or hATTR amyloidosis, is a rare, inherited condition that has an increased prevalence among people of African descent. This week, Dr. P is joined by Alnylam Patient Education Liaison (PEL), Valerie Graham, and Cece, who is living with hATTR amyloidosis, to learn more about the condition. We’ll talk about the importance of discussing health history within families and the role genetic testing can play in helping to determine someone’s risk for developing a disease. 

For more information about hATTR amyloidosis, and to request to speak with an Alnylam PEL who can answer questions you may have about hATTR amyloidosis, please visit www.hATTRbridge.com.

Content sponsored and provided by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. TTR-USA-00279

Valerie Graham 

Valerie is a Patient Education Liaison (PEL) at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. In her role, she is responsible for educating individuals and their families about hATTR amyloidosis – a rare, inherited condition. PELs are employees of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. They do not act as healthcare providers and should not be considered part of your healthcare team.

Cece

Cece’s journey with hATTR amyloidosis began when she started to experience symptoms attributed to carpal tunnel syndrome at 55 years old. As time passed and she began to experience additional, unexplained symptoms, including shortness of breath, peripheral neuropathy and leg swelling, she was determined to find the cause. After years of searching for answers, she was eventually diagnosed with hATTR amyloidosis. Today, Cece is focused on educating the community about this inherited condition and encouraging others to advocate for their health and never give up.  

As Minority Mental Health Awareness Month draws to a close, Dr. P and her guest, Dr. Maha Radhakrishnan, discuss the high rates of depression among African Americans. They share thoughts on the connection between COVID and depression and Dr. Radhakrishnan provides advice on what to do if you or a loved one is struggling with depression.

Dr. Radhakrishnan is Group SVP and Chief Medical Officer, responsible for the Worldwide Medical function since rejoining Biogen in January 2020. Previously, from 2016-2019, Dr. Radhakrishnan was Senior Vice President and Global Head of the Medical, Primary Care Business Unit at Sanofi, a global biopharmaceutical company focused on human health. At Sanofi, she led the medical strategy and operations for the diabetes and cardiovascular products and development programs. Prior to this, she held several leadership roles at: Bioverativ Inc. from 2016-2018, Biogen for the first time from 2013-2016, Bristol Myers Squibb from 2009-2013, United Health Group from 2006-2008, and Cephalon from 2005-2006. Dr. Radhakrishnan has extensive experience in overseeing the external scientific engagement strategy with academic institutions, top and emerging key opinion leaders, patient advocacy groups, payers and regulators. She received her M.D. in internal medicine with honors from the People’s Friendship University in Moscow, Russia in 1995, as well as a master's degree in Russian language. She is also a certified Russian language instructor and interpreter. 

Dr. P and guest Geneva Watford discuss why we MUST find time to embrace REST for mind and body.  Sister Geneva gives practical steps and tips on getting REST in the midst of today's on-the-go lifestyle.

Geneva M. Watford is a holistic, well-being advocate and activist with a dedication to cultivating spaces for community, conversation, creativity, and healing. Ms. Watford is the owner of GMW Living based in Montgomery, AL.

This episode originally aired in March 2021.

Dr. P welcomes Project Nana, Inc. Founder, Vanessa L. Hill to the podcast for "real talk" about gynecological care for women aged 55 and older and how culture shapes health care options for seasoned women.  

Project Nana Inc., is a nonprofit with an innovative approach to advancing health equity for post-menopausal women. Through creative workshops, advocacy, training, research and community engagement, the organization seeks to reduce late-stage diagnoses of women’s cancers and sexually transmitted infections.

The founder and executive director of Project Nana, Vanessa L. Hill, holds a Master of Fine Arts in Film from Howard University, a Master of Public Health from George Washington University, and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. Ms. Hill sits on the patient education committee for the Society of Gynecologic Oncology.

The Tuskegee Syphilis Study is often mentioned when discussing the deep mistrust many Black Americans feel regarding the healthcare system. In this episode first broadcast in 2021, Dr. Warren gives the facts about the Tuskegee Syphilis Study and why it continues to affect our decision-making about  health.   

Dr. Reuben C. Warren is the Director of the National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care and Professor of Bioethics at Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, AL. From 1988-1997, Dr. Warren served as Associate Director for Minority Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Dr. P enjoys a candid discussion with Reiki Master and Sacred Shaman Priestess Julia Jovone in this replay of one of our most popular episodes.

Through their conversation, they share their unique struggles with self-care while acknowledging the power of knowing the connectedness of God as the source of all life, which dwells within each of us.

About Our Guest:
An Intuitive Reiki Master, Sacred Shaman Priestess and Spiritual / Wellness Coach, Julia Jovone operates Julia Jovone Studio in New York City, which offers full- service Reiki sessions, energy healing, and spiritual life coaching to clients globally.  She represents an underrepresented number of black women pioneering the practice of healing across the globe. Julia teaches that as humans, we must take care of the inside of our bodies in order for the outside to glow. Julia is also an Emmy Award Winning Makeup Artist.

There is no question that mortality -- whether our own or that of a loved one -- is a difficult topic. Yet, it is essential that  individuals and families make  important legal and medical decisions related to wills, hospice care, and estate transfer before a crisis occurs. In this episode, Dr. P and Ms. Zeena Regis define advanced care planning and discuss why it is difficult for many of us to start the process. Ms. Regis points to resources for information and describes how faith leaders and congregations can start the conversation within their communities.

 Zeena Regis serves as the Faith Engagement Manager at Compassion & Choices, the nation’s oldest, largest, and most active nonprofit working to improve care, expand options and empower everyone to chart their end-of-life journey. Prior to her role with Compassion & Choices, Zeena served as a hospice chaplain and grief care coordinator for almost a decade.  

Zeena also serves on the faculty of Columbia Theological Seminary's Older Adult Ministry Certification program. Her training includes a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Agnes Scott College and a Master of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary. Zeena is also a playwright and her latest work, A Free Black Woman's Guide to Death & Dying, was selected for the Synchronicity Theatre's arts incubator project and premiered in May 2022.