AMWA Diversity Dialogues

In this episode of the American Medical Women's Association Diversity Dialogues, we are joined by Garrett Davis, a renowned playwright whose works shine a spotlight on critical medical issues such as Alzheimer's and prostate cancer. Garrett's plays uniquely present these topics from the perspectives of those affected, including patients, family members, caregivers, and doctors, while also providing valuable educational insights. With a primary focus on the African American community, Garrett and his team travel across the country to perform these impactful plays, fostering engagement with local communities and health organizations. Join us as we explore how theater can be a powerful tool for health education and advocacy. Mentioned In This Episode: https://www.unforgettableplay.com

In this episode of AMWA's Diversity Dialogues, we are joined by Promila Kumar from Sanjeevani, a Chicago-based organization dedicated to supporting South Asian American women facing domestic violence. Our guest discusses the unique challenges faced by South Asian women, the culturally sensitive services Sanjeevani provides, and the impact of their work on the community. Tune in to hear about the vital role of advocacy, education, and community support in addressing and overcoming domestic violence in the South Asian American population. Please note: This episode discusses topics related to domestic violence, which may be distressing to some listeners. Mentioned In This Episodes https://sanjeevani4u.com/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=idealist

It's Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Our returning guest, Dr. Shilpa Darivemula discusses her motivations for creating the survey, the unique challenges faced by South Asians in menstrual health and gynecological care, and the importance of promoting menstrual equity. If you are of South Asian decent, please follow the link below to complete the survey. https://unc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_56Cq9IGcG3PEoN8

In this episode, we're joined again by Donald Bell, a passionate advocate for addressing disparities in the aging LGBTQ population. With a focus on health and overall longevity, Donald sheds light on the unique challenges faced by older LGBTQ individuals and the critical need for inclusive policies and support systems. From discussing the impact of medical issues and social isolation to redefining the concept of family within the LGBTQ community, this episode explores the intersection of identity, community, and health outcomes.

In this episode, we shine a spotlight on Alzheimer's disease within the African American community. Join us as we engage with Dr. Carl Hill, a dedicated advocate working to raise awareness and eliminate disparities in Alzheimer's care; providing invaluable insights into the importance of education, access, and community involvement. Mentioned In This Episode https://www.alz.org/press/spokespeople/carl_v_hill_phd_mph

Dr. David Adamson talks about disparities in access to fertility and reproductive healthcare and the various communities and groups that are affected. There is work to be done in clinical research and policy making to bridge the gap. Mentioned In This Episode ARC Fertility https://www.arcfertility.com/ ASRM https://www.reproductivefacts.org/ https://resolve.org/

Dr. John Artis, Chiropractor and active community member, shares his philosophy on health; how he engages his patients in building healthy lifestyles and healing their bodies using Functional Medicine practices and fostering a sense of self-empowerment and autonomy. Mentioned In This Episode: ⁠https://healthonearth.org/about/⁠ ⁠https://www.ifm.org/ 

There are so many health disparities in the LGBTQIA Community population and providers in the field have a long way to go. Donald Bell joins Dr. Neelum Aggarwal and Dr. Chyanne Brown to talk about his experience with the healthcare system and some of the ways in which Physicians can improve.

CDR Janelle Marra joins our host Dr. Chyanne Brown in a discussion with CDR Monica D. Ormeno, on her experiences over the years as an LGBTQ+ Navy Psychiatrist and the many advancements in the US Armed forces that they have both seen unfold.

Dr. Neelum Aggarwal sits down with Dr. Diane C. Gooding to talk about her current research assessing biomarkers as it relates to mental health conditions, specifically Schizophrenia and Alzheimers. Mentioned In This Episode: Link to the Study: https://tinyurl.com/y4yzuuzr Contact Dr. Gooding: pathsresearch@psych.wisc.edu

Dima Elissa, AMWA's Tech and Innovation Lead, brings on Dr. Ashlesha Patel, OB/GYN, Founder and Innovator of RepLi and Smart HERO Product Line. Here how this DocPreneur balances her profession while forging her way in the tech world. Mentioned In This Episode: https://www.repli.online https://www.apdesignshealth.com https://vismed3d.com/

Dr. Mauvareen Beverley, a fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine, is joined by our Chief Diversity Officer, Dr. Neelum Aggarwal. Dr. Beverley discusses her creation of "The Bridge Team", an interdisciplinary task force that focuses on the patient as a human being in order to combat issues of non-compliance, patient satisfaction, and improve overall health outcomes. By improving cultural competency, the medical team can approach the patient in a nonjudgemental way. Mentioned In This Episode: https://drbeverley.com

Nelly Vazquez Rowland from A Safe Haven in Chicago IL, talks about homelessness in the community and how her organization is making innovative impacts on this social and healthcare issue. Their unique model integrates all aspects of a person's life and aims to equip those they serve with the necessary tools for sustainability. Mentioned In This Episode https://www.asafehaven.org https://legiscan.com/IL/text/HB3949/id/2303768 https://www.amazon.com/HEALING-Stories-Overcome-Homeless-Epidemics/dp/173423699X

Dr. Megan Gilligan shares her current study on family dynamics as it relates to the care of those with Alzheimer's Disease or related dementia, with Dr. Neelum Aggarwal and our host Dr. Chyanne Brown. Mentioned In This Episode: You can learn more about participating in the study by clicking on the following link: https://tinyurl.com/2kyzk5he or you can contact Dr. Gilligan directly: mgilliga@iastate.edu or 515-294-5074.

The conversation about dementia and brain health can be a difficult one in different communities. BrainGuide by UsAgainstAlzheimer's is a first-of-its-kind platform that empowers people with knowledge and resources to take the best next steps in managing their own or a loved one's brain health. Brooks Kenny speaks with Dr. Neelum Aggarwal and host Dr. Chyanne Brown about the BrainGuide's success in the year since its creation. Mentioned In This Episode BrainGuide https://mybrainguide.org UsAgainstAlzheimer's https://www.usagainstalzheimers.org

Brooke Hartenstein, MD candidate 2024 has created a virtual educational advocacy series that highlights chronic conditions disproportionately affecting women and conditions with under-discussed gender disparities. Learn more about the work being done and how you can get involved on this episode. Dr. Aggarwal is back to facilitate the conversation. Mentioned In This Episode: Speaker Sign up Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScaBe1nU02cxA2Zv9Ft83ieQqPMrwOt9Dw19psTil_G8op9Ow/viewform?usp=sf_link

In the first official installment of our collaboration series with Race.Culture.OBGYN, we talk with Dr. Rachel Bervell, who shares from personal experience on some of the eight engagement inclusions from the AAMC survey and how they have played out in her medical career this far. Dr. Shilpa Darivemula and Dr. Anusha Venkatesh join our host Dr. Chyanne Brown to facilitate the conversation. Mentioned In This Episode: Instagram: theblackobgynproject Institute For Healing and Justice In Medicine https://www.instituteforhealingandjustice.org

Dr. Jill Wener, introduced the AMWA JEDI Council to the Emotional Freedom Technique aka Tapping, in one of our monthly meetings. On this episode she expands on the topic as well as the subject of Conscious Anti-Racism, where she continues to work, grow and help others navigate. A nationally-renowned expert in physician wellness, Jill has published several articles on KevinMD, led physician wellness programs around the country, and lectured at the national level on stress and the benefits of meditation and tapping. https://www.jillwener.com

On this episode, Dr. Shilpa Darivemula, a chief OBGYN resident at Dartmouth and Dr. Anusha Venkatesh, a recent medical graduate from Kasturba Medical College, India, introduce this new mini series, brought to you in collaboration with Race.Culture.OBGYN. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) released a research report titled: Measuring Diversity and Inclusion in Academic Medicine: The Diversity Engagement Survey. Based on this report, the Diversity Engagement Survey (DES) is subdivided into eight engagement inclusion factors which formed the framework for developing DES. This series will explore the intricacies of these factors and what they mean to physicians, patients, and individuals. Join us in the upcoming episodes, as we talk to individuals in sexual and reproductive health that are doing impactful work in medicine, law, and public policy. The goal of this series is to initiate organic conversations about diversity, equity, inclusion, culture, and other factors that can result in tangible change for the future of healthcare and society. Mentioned In This Episode: https://www.aamc.org/what-we-do/equity-diversity-inclusion/engagement-survey

Dr. Lealani Mae Acosta, Assistant Professor of Neurology, discusses how creative expression has had a positive impact on her mental well-being as a physician. Mentioned In This Episode https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2020/11/putting-on-my-daily-mascara.html https://www.vumc.org/neurology/person/lealani-mae-leah-acosta-md-mph https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2020/05/04/lealani-mae-acosta-unmasking-asian-discrimination-against-healthcare-workers-during-covid-19/

Dr. Jessica Kremen, Pediatric Endocrinologist at Boston Children's Hospital, shares about her work with transgender children and adolescents. With so many recent legislations directed at transgender youth, how do we navigate separating politics from patient and family autonomy? Mentioned In This Episode: BE-U https://www.childrenshospital.org/centers-and-services/programs/a-_-e/be-u

New graduates, Aimen Vanood MD and Aryana Sharrak MD, discuss how they were able to adjust to the new procedures and protocols of the residency matching process, successfully. In this candid conversation we discuss how to navigate the virtual experience as well as fielding questions that may be appropriate when it comes to Diversity issues.

Dr. Allison Empey, General Pediatrician and citizen of the Confederated Tribes Of Grand Ronde, shares with us her first hand knowledge of the disparities of health within Native American communities and how this has led to distrust in healthcare as a whole. Innovations and representation are playing an important role in the efforts to bridge these gaps and create a pathway for better outcomes. Mentioned In This Episode: Northwest Native American Center Of Excellence https://www.nnacoe.org Tribal Health Scholars https://www.nnacoe.org/tribal-health-scholars Health Pathway Coaching https://www.nnacoe.org/health-pathway-coaching

We continue our conversation with Emily Phelps, joined by Johanna Balas who has expanded on the project by including CNAs who interact with patients with dementia on a more consistent basis. The experience and insight gained has shown them how important this work is and how much more there is to be done. Mentioned In This Episode: http://bit.ly/EmbodiedLabs http://bit.ly/EmbodiedLabsCaseStudy http://bit.ly/AMWADiversityDialogues https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/selectatest.html Abstract by Johanna Balas https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/2021-01/health-systems-science-impact-challenge.pdf

With the recent events in Atlanta on the forefronts of our minds, Dr. Yuemei Zhang, Anesthesia Resident at University of Washington - Seattle, talks with us about her personal experience with increasing racially charged violence aimed at Asians and Pacific Islanders. There is a history of violence based in stereotypical ideology that needs to be addressed and erased, but awareness is the first step. Mentioned In This Episode https://stopaapihate.org - Stop AAPI Hate https://www.csusb.edu/hate-and-extremism-center - Center For The Study of Hate and Extremism

Our Chief Diversity Officer, Dr. Neelum Aggarwal facilitates a conversation with Kevin Hull, lawyer, who works closely in Veterans' health and other issues where advocacy is essential. At any level, regardless of the field of work or interest, anyone can get involved at the community level to move the issues forward towards solutions.

Rural Health issues span so many domains and there are so many definitions that have been assigned. Dr. Sameer Vohra joins the conversation highlighting the impact of differing cultural backgrounds on the specific needs of certain communities. Dr. Vidhya Prakash is back to enhance the conversation with her experience in the field. Mentioned In This Episode https://www.beyondflexner.org Beyond Flexner Alliance https://nhsc.hrsa.gov National Health Service Corps.

Emily Phelps, student leader, is here to discuss how she used Virtual Reality technology to create programing for students to understand Dementia and analyze their own implicit biases. With the help of Embodied Labs, the program continues to develop in ways that have furthered understanding and knowledge around Dementia and its unique experiences for patients. Dr. Neelum Aggarwal facilitates the conversation about the program and the various health disparities highlighted. Mentioned In This Episode: http://bit.ly/EmbodiedLabs http://bit.ly/EmbodiedLabsCaseStudy http://bit.ly/AMWADiversityDialogues https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/selectatest.html

Meet Alexandra Alondra Alvarez and Anna Vardapetyan, student leadership of AMWA's Pre-Med Student Division. If you needed some additional inspiration to pursue your passions or refuel your drive, these future physicians have enough enthusiasm and motivation to go around. Here about what the division is doing to make a difference in their own way. Mentioned In This Episode https://www.amwa-doc.org/pre-medical-students/ https://www.facebook.com/Premedical-Division-American-Medical-Womens-Association-507969396057502 Instagram: @amwapremed

Dr. Laurel Waters, President- Elect of AMWA, discusses with Dr. Patricia Robertson the issues faced by the LGBTQ community surrounding reproductive health and their rights. Mentioned In this Episode Women In Medicine https://womeninmedicine.org American Medical Association https://edhub.ama-assn.org/pages/lgbtq-course GLMA & Lesbian Health Fund http://www.glma.org LAMBDA Legal https://www.lambdalegal.org National Center For Lesbian Rights https://www.nclrights.org Williams Institute UCLA School of Law https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/visualization/lgbt-stats/?topic=LGBT&area=4#density

Aryana Sharrak and Aimen Vanood talk about their journey into the medical field. As 4th year medical students, they are on the cusp of entering a career they have dreamed of for years. Each of them has a unique background that has led them down this path. Both have been working diligently in the SoDI on various projects that will likely have lasting impacts. This is the first installment in a series of conversations with student leadership.

Dr. Merry Jean Losso (PGY2), inspiration behind Diversity Dialogues, joins the podcast with Dr. Dahima Cintron (PGY3). We discuss their involvement with AMWA's SoDI over the years and how they have transitioned into their roles in residency and their experiences with health disparities.

Dr. Ana Maria Lopez and Dr. Nathalie Johnson discuss their experience in breast health, biases, disparities and social determinants that affect how minority women are screened, diagnosed and treated. Links Mentioned in this Episode https://komenoregon.org/african-american-initiative/ by Dr. Nathalie Johnson https://www.azchow.org by Dr. Ana Maria Lopez

We continue our conversation surrounding Rural Health Disparities with sub-committee lead, Dr. Vidhya Sundareshan. Special guest, Dr. Alice Thornton joins us to discuss her experience with HIV patients, the stigmas they face and the challenges surrounding comprehensive care.

From our Innovations Sub-committee, Dr. Vidhya Prakash is back with her mentor and sponsor Dr. Wendi El-Amin. They discuss with host Chyanne Brown how important representation is in the field of technology and science for girls and minorities, sharing their experiences and personal anecdotes.

Featuring our Rural Health Sub-committee, Host Chyanne Brown talks with Dr. Vidhya Prakash, co-lead of the committee and special guest Dr. Kim Templeton to discuss the many issues facing both patients and physicians in rural communities.

In the inaugural episode of AMWA Diversity Dialogues, host Chyanne Brown talks with Dr. Nicole Sandhu (AMWA National President) & Dr. Neelum Aggarwal (AMWA Chief Diversity Officer) about how AMWA has been undertaking D&I issues as an organization and what they hope to see for the future!