Advertise on podcast: Advocates in Action

In this inspiring episode, Ashley D. Freeman sits down with Esther Lucero, President and CEO of the Seattle Indian Health Board, for a powerful conversation about Indigenous health, cultural healing, leadership, and the strength of community. Esther shares the history of the Native aunties who turned displacement into a movement for health and justice, and how their legacy continues to shape the work today. She explores the power of combining traditional Indigenous medicine with modern healthcare, data, and policy to create meaningful change. The conversation also takes us inside the intentionality behind the Thunderbird Treatment Center, an innovative space where healing is centered on culture, family, ceremony, and love. Esther shares why the organization calls patients “relatives,” why keeping families together is essential to healing, and how reconnecting people with their cultural identity can help address generations of trauma. This episode is a moving reminder that real change happens when communities honor their strengths, learn from those who came before them, and come together to create a healthier future for generations to come.

What if the most important place for health education isn't the hospital—but the places where people already feel safe? In this inspiring conversation, community health nurse and breast cancer survivor Valarie Worthy shares lessons from more than four decades of caring for patients beyond the clinic walls. From home health visits to church-based health initiatives, she explains how trust, relationships, and cultural understanding can transform healthcare outcomes. We explore why safe spaces matter, how faith communities have long served as trusted centers for health and healing, and why meeting people where they are leads to better conversations and better care. Valarie also shares how her own breast cancer journey inspired her to bridge the gap between healthcare systems and the communities they serve through creativity, education, and compassion. Whether you're a healthcare professional, community leader, caregiver, or someone passionate about health equity, this episode is a powerful reminder that lasting change begins with trust, genuine connection, and meeting people where they are. Chapters (00:00:03) - The secret to building a community(00:00:31) - Community-based health care(00:06:45) - Community Health in the Church(00:09:51) - Black Churches: A Safe Haven(00:13:12) - Health and Work in the Church(00:17:07) - Cancer Edutainment(00:20:02) - Building a Community Outreach(00:26:26) - What Keeps You Committed to the Work?

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, time, and genuine relationships, Dr. Harris shares how healthcare changes when patients are treated like people instead of numbers. Together, they dive into the realities impacting communities every day: chronic stress, mental health, food insecurity, kidney disease, healthcare accessibility, and the growing disconnect between policy and patient care. Dr. Harris also offers an inspiring perspective for healthcare providers navigating burnout and restrictive systems, encouraging them to take ownership of their careers, think creatively, and build paths that allow them to care for patients more intentionally. This episode is a reminder that medicine is bigger than clinic walls. It’s about connection, advocacy, education, and creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and empowered in their health journey. Whether you’re a provider, patient, caregiver, or someone passionate about the future of healthcare, this conversation will leave you thinking differently about what care can look like. Chapters (00:00:03) - Patient Advocate Foundation in Action(00:02:02) - Flint Community Doctor on Returning home to Serve the Community(00:07:41) - In the Elevator With Your Doctor(00:09:10) - The challenges facing patients and their health(00:12:19) - Keynote: How to manage kidney disease(00:14:12) - How to Energize Your Patients(00:18:07) - What Inspired You to Start Your Own Practice(00:20:24) - The challenges of the healthcare system(00:23:44) - What Keeps You Motivated to Work in Medicine?(00:26:46) - How to Get Out of Your Stifled Workpace(00:29:08) - Advocates in Action: More Doctors in the Future

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 receiving the care they deserve.  Dr. Kirschner shares a bold vision for change rooted in education, partnership, and reimagining the role of healthcare itself. From training the next generation of clinicians to building a lifespan disability clinic which elevates the voices of people with lived experience, this episode explores what it takes to move from compliance to true inclusion. The University of Illinois Health Lifespan Disability Clinic, offers comprehensive, disability-inclusive primary care for both children and adults with a wide range of physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities, including complex, multifaceted conditions.  Listen to witness the power of reframing because disability is not a limitation, it is a lens for innovation, creativity, and a more humane, interconnected world. This is a conversation about dignity, design, and the future of care, and why getting it right matters for all of us. Learn more about the UI Health Lifespan Disability Clinic https://hospital.uillinois.edu/primary-and-specialty-care/disability-inclusive-care Explore their website to access their resources: https://adih.uic.edu/ Chapters (00:00:03) - Coming soon: Disability in the World(00:00:48) - Advocates in Action: Equity and Inclusion in Healthcare(00:07:11) - The role of health professionals with disabilities(00:16:18) - The Disability Inclusive Health Care(00:24:39) - Living with Disabilities in 2026(00:34:29) - Advocates in Action: Week 3

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 community-based participatory research, student-led clinics, culturally rooted care, and innovative programs like a medical Spanish curriculum and ancestral nutrition initiatives, this team  reveals what happens when research is done in partnership with communities, not on them. We also explore the hard decisions behind ethical leadership, what it means to walk away from funding when trust is compromised, how to share power authentically, and why being an “outsider” requires humility, accountability, and invitation. In the face of policy shifts, fear-driven public health crises, and real-time community needs, you’ll hear a moving example of what responsive care looks like when systems fall short. Listen to this conversation about hope found in students who carry the mission forward, in communities who open their doors, and in a model of care that refuses to leave anyone behind. Explore their website to learn more about their work: https://www.unidasporsalud.com Chapters (00:00:03) - Advocates in Action: When Equity and Inclusion in Health(00:01:35) - Community based participatory research in the Coachella Valley(00:12:32) - The BLAMOS Clinic in the Coachella Valley(00:15:00) - Mentees of the Medical Student Program(00:17:23) - The role of shared leadership in science(00:24:48) - Advocates in Action: The Coachella Valley Free Clinic

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 can help reframe health equity as a universal good. He shares practical ways to bridge divides, build cross-racial coalitions, and strengthen our collective “civic muscle” to drive long-term change from the ground up. With honesty, insight, and hope, Dr. Alberti reminds us that health equity is not a zero-sum game—it’s about creating fair and just opportunities for everyone, and it begins with listening, empathy, and local action. This episode will leave you inspired to see yourself as part of the movement for health justice.

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 data and disparities to life in ways everyone can understand. We also explore the challenges we still face, from deeply rooted systemic disparities to limited funding, and why making lasting change takes both patience and persistence. Whether you’re new to health equity or have been working in the space for years, this conversation offers practical insights and inspiring reminders of how clarity, reflection, and intention can move us closer to fairness for all. Learn more about Health Equity Strategies & Solutions

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 justice initiative designed to bridge the divide between medicine and the people it serves. In this powerful episode, Dr. Nolen shares the origin story of We Got Us, a grassroots coalition committed to combating racism in our communities through increasing access to equitable healthcare, community-centered health education, and direct healing. Listen to hear how the power of audacity—passed down from her mother and grandmother has fueled every step of her journey. Tune in to hear how one woman’s determination is transforming communities, rebuilding trust, and changing the face of public health. This season is brought to you as a collaboration between Patient Advocate Foundation and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center at Virginia Commonwealth University, a project made possible in part by support from the Danaher Foundation. Check Out the We Got Us Project.

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 not only gained invaluable insights into patient care but also learned the importance of being proactive with health and navigating the healthcare system. In this powerful conversation, Simone reflects on her journey—how Chadwick’s resilience inspired her and how, through caregiving, she discovered her own strength. Her mission now? To empower others to take charge of their health and advocate for themselves with the same courage and determination she learned along the way. This season is made possible through a collaboration between the Patient Advocate Foundation and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center at Virginia Commonwealth University, with generous support from the Danaher Foundation. Check Out the Chadwick Boseman Foundation for the Arts.

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 multiple needs, reshaping how care is delivered at every level—from individual to community to system-wide. Join Kathleen Noonan, JD, President & CEO of the Camden Coalition, as she reveals how the organization is pioneering a multidisciplinary, community-based approach to care. Hear about the power of community partnerships, how they’ve built a model that fosters trust and collaboration, and the essential ingredients for forming meaningful, lasting relationships that transform care. This season is made possible through a collaboration between the Patient Advocate Foundation and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center at Virginia Commonwealth University, with generous support from the Danaher Foundation.  Check Out Camden Coalition's Mission Learn more about the importance of complex care. Explore Camden Coalition's Resources.

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 Richmond, Virginia. In this inspiring conversation, Ms. Community Clo shares the incredible work she’s doing to foster multidisciplinary partnerships that have profoundly impacted lives in her community. Her blueprint for success is refreshingly simple yet deeply impactful: Serve with heart, leverage your strengths, and surround yourself with a dedicated team that shares your mission. By living her motto—“Every day I wake up, I make an impact”—she’s built a legacy of empowerment, compassion, and community-driven change. Ms. Community Clo has created a ripple effect of transformation by organizing initiatives that address health inequities and bring vital resources directly to those who need them most. Whether it’s health education, advocacy, or community wellness, her work demonstrates how powerful it is when individuals come together to change the landscape of care and support. In this episode, you’ll hear firsthand how Clovia’s commitment to service and her ability to build meaningful partnerships are helping to shape a brighter future for those around her. Her journey is a reminder that no matter the scale, every action can make a difference when driven by purpose and passion. This season is brought to you as a collaboration between the Patient Advocate Foundation and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center at Virginia Commonwealth University, with invaluable support from the Danaher Foundation.

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 leaders who are on the frontlines of healthcare access and equity: Freddie White-Johnson, founder of the Fannie Lou Hamer Cancer Foundation Dr. Robert A. Winn, director of VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center Dr. Reginald Tucker-Seeley, principal and owner of Health Equity Strategies and Solutions Together, they dive deep into the critical issue of healthcare disparities—exploring the persistent barriers that keep vulnerable communities from accessing quality care. From structural inequalities to systemic challenges, the conversation sheds light on the stark contrasts in healthcare access across different regions. These experts not only examine the root causes of these disparities but also discuss innovative solutions and strategies that are making a real difference in their communities. Their insights will challenge you to think about healthcare in a new way, focusing on the importance of equity and community-driven change. In their regions, these leaders are working tirelessly to break down the barriers to care, build trust, and provide meaningful support to those who have been historically underserved. If you’re ready to hear about real-world solutions and the bold actions needed to create a more equitable healthcare system, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Their dedication and vision are reshaping the future of healthcare for the communities that need it the most. This season is brought to you as a collaboration between the Patient Advocate Foundation and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center at Virginia Commonwealth University, with crucial support from the Danaher Foundation.

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 way—offering support, reducing stress, and ensuring you don’t get lost in the complexities of the healthcare system. In this insightful conversation, L. Tiffani Collins, Senior Program Administrator of Cancer Support Care SDOH Navigation Services at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, delves into the vital role patient navigators play in providing personalized support. From screenings and diagnoses to treatment and follow-ups, these professionals are there to help you break through barriers, ease your concerns, and connect with the right resources. Tiffani shares how patient navigators work tirelessly to ensure that no patient falls through the cracks and that each person receives the care they need—both medically and emotionally. By working closely with patients, they help create a smoother, more accessible healthcare journey, empowering individuals to focus on healing, rather than the complexities of navigating a challenging system. If you’ve ever felt lost or unsure about how to manage your healthcare, this conversation will shed light on a resource that can make all the difference. This work is a part of Patient Advocate Foundation's Shared Decision-Making at Critical Points in a Long Illness Journey, a project made possible in part by support from the Danaher Foundation.

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 the Director of the Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program for the Mississippi State Department of Health, founder of the Fannie Lou Hamer Cancer Foundation, and leader of his own business, Darryl brings unmatched knowledge, dedication, and a fierce commitment to health equity to everything he does. In this inspiring conversation, Darryl opens up about his unwavering belief in the power of community-driven solutions. He shares how, rather than imposing top-down strategies, it’s essential to learn from communities and respect the wisdom of the people who live there. By centering the voices of those who are most affected, Darryl is helping to create sustainable, impactful change that truly meets the needs of his community. Listen as Darryl discusses how bringing people together—listening to their insights and valuing their lived experiences—is key to building effective solutions for health disparities and fostering long-term equity in care.   This work is a part of Patient Advocate Foundation's Shared Decision-Making at Critical Points in a Long Illness Journey, a project made possible in part by support from the Danaher Foundation.

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 its challenges, especially after the loss of her mother to breast cancer just a few years prior. But Desiree’s journey brought unexpected blessings—moments of deep gratitude, faith, and unity. In this heartfelt episode, Desiree opens up about how this difficult chapter not only strengthened her bond with her family but also transformed her life. From giving her life to God to learning how to advocate for herself in the healthcare system, Desiree shares how she found empowerment in the face of fear. She also discusses the deep satisfaction of paying forward the kindness she received to other patients in need. Despite the fear, there were moments of joy that reminded her of the strength of love and connection. Join us as Desiree reflects on how her cancer journey, though tough, became a path to self-discovery, gratitude, and healing for her and her family. This work is a part of Patient Advocate Foundation's Shared Decision-Making at Critical Points in a Long Illness Journey, a project made possible in part by support from the Danaher Foundation.