Millennial Health

In this week's episode, I chatted with Dr. Charmaine Gregory about being bold and making bold decisions. Dr. Gregory, or Dr. G as she is well known, is a wife and mother, an emergency medicine physician, and a serial entrepreneur with a weekly podcast, among many other titles. She also considers herself a burnout thriver. First, Dr. G talks about her bold decision to move with her family from the United States to Guam. There were many considerations when deciding on the right country to move to and she tells us the story of how they went from making the life-changing decision to living in Guam. She also shared her past struggles with burnout. Dr. G explained that the burnout she experienced was not an instant problem, but rather one that slowly crept in. As a result of this, it was difficult for her to recognize for some time. But, once she did recognize it, she decided to make the necessary changes which led down a path of increased personal development.This has now become a pattern in her life. When Dr. G recognizes a problem or fear, she makes the decision to boldly face the fears, even if it means doing it scared. For instance, when she realized she had a fear of public speaking, it didn't stop her from speaking. Instead, it propelled her to face the fear of public speaking by getting started on her podcast and speaking on stages in front of more people.Dr. G also touched on the fact that so many in the medical profession are leaving their positions. She believes that this happens when persons have nothing outside of medicine such as hobbies that bring them joy. Because they have nothing else to identify with, they struggle to cope in their medical career.With this in mind, Dr. G's advice is that we should be free to morph, evolve and change. Life is not a straight road and it does not box us in, so we are encouraged to make changes at certain points in our lives when things no longer serve us. Also, she speaks to those in financial debt. She recommends that they set aside some funds for entertainment and enjoyment, but the main focus should be to make sacrifices, keep expenses low and pay off debt. To wrap up, Dr. G shares her top 3 pieces of advice. First, she strongly recommends getting financially free. Secondly, to realize that you have what you need in order to negotiate. And her last piece of advice is to remember who you were before you went into medicine, go back and explore those things that you love.Key PointsDr. Gregory tells the story of her bold decision to move with her family from the United States to Guam.She struggled with burnout in the past and once she recognized it, she took the decision to make the necessary changes.She also struggled with the fear of public speaking, however this propelled her to face her fears and take action.Dr. Gregory also gives advice to those in the medical field on how to cope, and to those in financial debt. Connect with Dr. G:LinkedInFacebookInstagramTik TokFearless Freedom PodcastThank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJDisclaimer: The opinions expressed herein are my own and do not represent those of my employer.

In this week's episode, I talk with Amber Shaw about the Wellness Revolution and how we can get off the diet roller coaster and move to a more sustainable lifestyle. Amber is a Women's Weight Loss and Health Coach who has overcome bulimia and frequent restrictive dieting. Now, she helps other women shed the weight and feel confident. She shares with us tangible steps that we can take when we feel stuck. The first step is to get quiet with ourselves- even if it's for 5 minutes every day. She also encourages us to connect with our intuition and to trust it. And lastly, to go to therapy.  Amber pointed out that mental health dictates our physical health and so, therapy should be used as a preventative tool. I added that mental health also dictates how you're able to show up in your life and that the best antidepressants are exercise, getting outside in the sun, and sleep. With this in mind, Amber's monthly membership, the Wellness Revolution, aims to change the game in health and wellness as it encourages women to stop restrictive dieting and create a sustainable lifestyle. While adopting a balanced diet may be a slower process than dieting, it allows us to eat in moderation rather than completely cutting out foods. She also suggests daily body movement with strength training 3 times a week as part of a healthier lifestyle. Additionally, we discuss how we can get started with this lifestyle without the overwhelm. Amber recommends simply starting small. Commit to one workout, or plan one healthy meal at a time, and grow from there.  Amber shares two key tips to help if we get demoralized when we don't see results. The first is to put the scale away. She explains that other factors can reflect progress more accurately than the results on a scale. The second is to be patient. Since losing weight is not linear, long lasting transformation takes time. Amber's final advice to us is to stop the dieting. It affects our mental health and ultimately sets us up for failure. She invites us to examine our relationship with food and start to heal it now. Key PointsAmber Shaw explains why restrictive dieting is unhealthy and why we should create a healthy, sustainable lifestyle instead.She provides tangible steps that we can take when we feel stuck.We discussed the importance of mental health and the need for therapy.She provides advice on how to get started with a healthier lifestyle and what to do when we don't see results. Amber helps women shed weight and feel confident through her monthly membership, the Wellness Revolution.List of resources mentioned in the episode: The Universe Has Your BackConnect with Amber Shaw:Instagram | TikTok (@msambershaw)Wellness RevolutionThe Wellness Revolution PodcastThank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJDisclaimer: The opinions expressed herein are my own and do not represent those of my employer.

In this week's episode, I talk with Dr. Meron Herpa and Dr. Richard Bruno about medical advocacy and the need for advocacy coaching. Dr. Herpa, a public health physician with the Cincinnati Health Department, has a passion for coaching physicians and future physicians to become medical advocates. Beginning with the loss of a loved one, Dr. Herpa shares her journey that led her to become a doctor and eventually, a medical advocate.Dr. Bruno is a well-known medical advocate and he also shares his history of fighting the injustices of the medical system. He even tells us a story of getting arrested as he took a stand against the repeal of Obamacare. In this conversation we discuss the urgent need for health and social justice as many patients across the United States are falling through the cracks, and are unable to get the medical care they need. Both Dr. Herpa and Dr. Bruno share statistics that show that health outcomes are significantly determined by social factors such as access to insurance, education, housing and nutrition. In addition to this, we talked about different forms of medical advocacy and Dr. Herpa encouraged us to choose the form of advocacy that works best for us. For example, Dr. Bruno shares testimonies to legislators and attends rallies as a way to advocate, but others may prefer making calls, emailing legislators and using online resources.Another option for those interested in becoming medical advocates is a new program through the American Medical Student Association (AMSA). It's a free advocacy coaching program for AMSA students and pre-medical students who are already members of AMSA. Through this program, students can gain access to a wealth of coaches with decades of experience in advocacy. Additionally, Dr. Herpa and Dr. Bruno highlight some common issues among medical students and trainees as it relates to advocacy. These issues include navigating administrative barriers in medical school, fear of professional repercussions because of their advocacy work, and finding the right guidance as they get into advocacy work.In the end, Dr. Herpa encourages us to use our voice and to get involved with advocacy in whatever way you can. Key PointsUrgent need for health and social justice as many patients across the United States are falling through the cracks, and are unable to get the medical care they need. The guests share statistics that show that health outcomes are significantly determined by social factors.There are different ways to get involved as a medical advocate and we should choose the path that best suits us.The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) has a free advocacy coaching program for AMSA students and pre-medical students who are already members of AMSA.References: List of resources mentioned in the episode:American Medical Student Association Advocacy Resources Connect with guest:Meron Herpa TwitterRichard Bruo TwitterThank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe to the podcast, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJayShereeDisclaimer: The opinions expressed herein are my own and do not represent those of my employer.

This episode is part two of a with New York City-based psychiatrist, Dr. Claudine Jones-Bourne about grief, suicide, and how to create a safety plan. She also shares valuable resources for anyone struggling with mental health issues. Dr. Jones-Bourne starts by reminding us that our head is real and the psychiatric problems we may face are valid. Our mental health deserves attention just like any other part of our body.She provides us with some key statistics on suicides. In 2019, suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in America and it was the 2nd leading cause of death for millennials aged 10 to 34. And though the official statistics are not out yet for during the pandemic, she believes that the number of suicide attempts and completions has risen.We discussed the spectrum of suicidality. Dr. Jones-Bourne warns that if you are anywhere on the spectrum, it is time to get help. This even includes passive thoughts about death and being better off being dead.We also learn how to develop a suicide safety plan. A safety plan is epecially useful if you have suicidal thoughts of any type. It should include warning signs, internal coping strategies, social situations and places that provide a distraction, people you can ask for help, professionals or agencies to contact during a crisis, and ways to make your environment safe.In addition to this, Dr. Jones-Bourne encourages suicidal persons to think about the one thing that's most important to them and is worth living for. Whatever this answer may be, it should be written down as part of the safety plan. Dr. Jones-Bourne and I also discuss important resources for dealing with mental health. We are encouraged to make good use of exercise, good nutrition, sleep, and fresh air. Plus, speaking kindly to yourself.In the event that a person is unable or not willing to find a therapist, she tells us about alternatives including self-help tools (podcasts, audiobooks, therapy workbooks) and online platforms like Talk Space, Cerebral, BetterHelp. Some people also find adopting meditation practices to be helpful. Dr. Jones-Bourne‘ final message to us is that, “You are your biggest resource… you have so much power inside of you.”Key PointsOur mental health deserves attention just like any other part of our body.In 2019, suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in America and it was the 2nd leading cause of death for millennials aged 10 to 34.If you are anywhere on the spectrum of suicidality, you should seek help. A safety plan should be created if you have suicidal thoughts.Other resources are available to those who are unable or not willing to find a therapist.References: List of resources mentioned in the episode:Talk SpaceBetterHelpCerebralAdditional wellness resourcesHeadspaceCalmStop.Breathe.ThinkConnect with Dr. Jones-Bource: WebsiteThank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJayShereeDisclaimer: The opinions expressed herein are my own and do not represent those of my employer.

Do you know what grief really is? On this episode of the Millennial Health Podcast Dr. Jones-Bourne and I talk about what grief really is and how it can escalate. In this episode you can also learn about the seven stages of grief, and how the pandemic has impacted mental health. Dr. Jones-Bourne is a New York City-based psychiatrist that works in emergency departments throughout the United States. Reference: Millennial Health Podcast on DepressionConnect with Dr. Jones-Bourne: WebsiteThank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe to the podcast, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree--Summary of episode: Dr. Claudine Jones-Bourne is a New York City-based psychiatrist that works in emergency departments throughout the United States. Through her professional experiences she has gained significant insights into grief and its impact, and she tells us all about it in this episode.First, she helps us define grief. We discuss that grief is not just the loss of a loved one, but the loss of anything. You can grieve persons, things, events, or even plans you had for yourself. Unfortunately, since many of us don't know what grief looks like, we don't recognize that we're grieving.We also talk about the connection between mental health and grief. When grief goes unresolved it can lead to psychiatric illnesses such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, or even suicide. For a more in-depth look at depression, Dr. Jones-Bourne and I discussed this topic in a previous episode of the Millennial Health Podcast.In this week's episode, Dr. Jones-Bourne acknowledged that the pandemic has had a significant impact on our mental health. This has resulted in emergency departments across the country filled with psychiatric patients, and the rise of new terms like “post pandemic stress” and “FONO” (fear of normal). She also teaches us about the seven stages of grief. These stages of grief are: shock and denial; pain and guilt; anger and bargaining; depression, loneliness and reflection; upward turn; reconstruction; and acceptance and hope. Dr. Jones-Bourne explains that if you are grieving but don't get to the final stage of grief, this can ultimately lead to unresolved conflict in your psyche. And if the grief does escalate to mental illness, then it's time to get help. Key PointsGrief can be defined as the loss of anything, not just the loss of a loved one.Grief can escalate into psychiatric illnesses such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicide if left unresolved.Dr. Jones-Bourne advises that if grief does escalate to mental illness, then it's time to get help. The pandemic has negatively impacted our mental health.There are seven stages of grief.

On this episode of the Millennial Health Podcast, Dr. Anna B. Shannahan lets us know that it is possible to find healing, wellness & joy with Integrative Medicine based on evidence and excellence.She is currently the Associate Director of Education at the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at Northwestern as well as Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at Northwestern. As an athlete who has completed 12 marathons & 9 triathlons, and figure skating coach who earned a US Figure Skating Association Gold Medal, she is passionate about diet, exercise, and helping others achieve their health goals.Thank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe to the podcast, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree

Do you feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and lacking work-life control? According to our guest, Dr. Sasha Shillcutt, there's a better way ! She tells us all about it on this episode of the Millennial Health podcast. Dr. Shillcutt is the CEO & Founder of Brave Enough and her passion is empowering and encouraging women to be #braveenough in their professional and personal lives.She is also a tenured and endowed Professor and the Vice Chair of Strategy in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), a well-published researcher in cardiac anesthesiology and gender equity, author, and international speaker.Thank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe to the podcast, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree

Eating disorders have been on the rise since the beginning of the pandemic - many physicians and mental health care providers have reported seeing worrying increases. On today's episode, we're going to take a look at what's driving that increase. We'll also talk about treatment, prevention, and some misconceptions about eating disorders.Chelsea Kronengold is a mental health professional with an extensive background in clinical psychology, body image, and eating disorders. She is the communications lead at the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), overseeing the organization's content, communications, media and public relations. Dr. Kathryn Ward is a licensed clinical Psychologist at Rady Children's Hospital San Diego's Medical Behavioral Unit, a medical stabilization unit for children, adolescents, and young adults with eating disorders.Thank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe to the podcast, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree

In this episode, Dr. Jessi Gold, an Assistant Professor and the Director of Wellness, Engagement, and Outreach in the Department of Psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis and I have a conversation about stress and burnout. She is a nationally recognized expert on healthcare worker mental health and burnout (particularly during the pandemic), college mental health, using social media and media for mental health advocacy, and the overlap between pop culture and mental health, including celebrity mental health and self-disclosure. Thank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe to the podcast, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree

In this episode Dr. Dion Metzger, an Atlanta based Psychiatrist and I  and I have a conversation about anxiety and depression. We discuss the fact that rates of these two mental health conditions have skyrocketed during this pandemic and though we use the terms loosely, they are medical diagnoses that require professional diagnoses and treatment plans. Dr. Dion Metzger earned her Doctorate of Medicine from Morehouse School of Medicine and completed her psychiatry residency at Emory University School of Medicine. She is a health and wellness expert who has been featured on The Doctors, Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), ABC, NBC, HLN, and in The New York Times.Dr. Metzger's motto of “better mind, better life” encourages audiences to prioritize their mental health in life's balance. She also is the co-author of The Modern Trophy Wife: How To Achieve Your Life Goals While Thriving at Home, a book that gives women the tools to strengthen, deepen or revitalize themselves and their relationships.

I love to have guests on my show, but I wanted to have a heart to heart with my audience on this episode. I did not publicly announce my pregnancy until the 3rd trimester to give myself the space I needed to navigate the constant changes involved in this process. As a Physician, this was even more consequential as we're still battling a pandemic and there's another wave on the horizon.Millennials are known to speak our minds. We have a reputation for being bold, brave and empowered in ways that generations before us haven't been. With levels of stress, burnout, anxiety and depression on the rise, it was important to share how this was all impacting me, as a millennial.I consider myself a health advocate for my generation and one of the most important ways to advocate is to share our stories -- when we're ready.Thank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe to the podcast, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree

In this episode Dr. Arumala, a Board Certified Ob/Gyn and Fibroid Specialist and I have a conversation about fibroids. She shares important facts about diagnosing, managing and treating fibroids. As a bonus, both Dr. Arumala and I share about our personal journeys with fibroids. Thank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe to the podcast, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree

In this episode Dr. Lionel McIntosh and I have a conversation about men visiting the doctor for their healthcare needs ! He shares his thoughts on why this is extremely important and what men can expect at a new visit with a Primary Care Physician.Dr. Lionel McIntosh is a Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician in Minnesota. Thank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe to the podcast, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree

In this episode Dr. Mark Shapiro and host Dr. Jay-Sheree Allen have a conversation about advice for millennials, speaking up on controversial topics and not selling ourselves short by using language such as ‘side hustle' to refer to our non clinical work.Mark Shapiro, MD is the creator, producer & host of Explore The Space Podcast, a show focused on bringing those who provide healthcare and those who seek healthcare closer together through conversations with leaders from across the spectrum. He is also a TEDx speaker, delivering his first TEDx in March, 2021, and is a co-author of the “Covid-19 CV Matrix.” Dr. Shapiro has been in full-time clinical practice as a Hospitalist since 2006 and is an active voice on Twitter and can be followed at @ETSshow. He is also an avid home coffee roaster and Peloton bike rider. Thank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe to the podcast, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree

Similar to many professional millennial women who desire marriage, Dr. Monique Rainford did not have a straight and easy path to finding her life partner.Her personal experience and those of the many women whom she interacted with both socially and through her OB/GYN practice led her to write the book Please God Send Me a Husband. With her own experience and that of the more than fifty women she interviewed, she has provided a roadmap, complete with traffic signs, roadblocks and potholes that women encounter on the way to marriage. Whether or not they succeed has a lot to do with how they navigate this journey.Monique Rainford M.D. is a medical doctor specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology, as well as an author, blogger, Tedx speaker and lifestyle medicine advocate. Thank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe to the podcast, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree

On this episode we are joined by Dr. Jacinda Abdul-Mutakabbir for an update on the COVID-19 vaccine. Now that it’s available to the general public, will you be getting vaccinated?So much has changed since her first recording on this podcast. There are multiple vaccines on the market and we now have authorization for use in children. Dr. Jacinda Abdul-Mutakabbir is currently an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, CA.Thank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe to the podcast, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree

The good news is that there is a field of medicine referred to as Precision Medicine. It is an approach to patient care that allows doctors to select treatments that are most likely to help patients based on a genetic understanding of their disease. It may also be called personalized medicine. Though this isn’t entirely mainstream just yet, many facets are.Camir is an ardent advocate for science and innovation and an even greater advocate for the development of all of the Caribbean. Camir earned his PhD in Computational Biology and Medicine from Weill Cornell Medicine in 2020 and is now a Bioinformatics Scientist. He is also the founder of the MindsOf Initiative which launched their ‘Minds Of Jamaica’ mentorship platform in 2019. In this episode he shares some of the fundamental principles of precision medicine and helps us to understand … What if medicine was more personalized?Thank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe to the podcast, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree

There’s a place and a time for yoga and meditation but we need a few other options in our self-care toolkits ! On this latest episode of the Millennial Health Podcast, my guest Dr. Caylor and I talk about a few other ways to tackle burnout. Tonya Caylor, MD, FAAFP is a family physician and certified professional coach in Anchorage, Alaska who founded Joy in Family Medicine Coaching after realizing the power of physician coaching and seeing a paucity of it at the resident level. She loves giving tools to millennials who have chosen tough careers to enjoy their jobs more even when they can't change the circumstances.Thank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe to the podcast, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree

Inspired by an instagram post in which Necole Kane discussed her journey to reclaiming her health, Dr. Jay-Sheree decided to reach out for an interview.xoNecole.com is the leading lifestyle website for millennial women of color founded by former celebrity gossip blogger Necole Kane. The media platform features content that reaches over 2 million women through its website, social media channels, and in-person experiences. In this episode she shares some of the health struggles that have been prevalent in her family and the active steps she’s taking to not fall victim to the burden of chronic disease.Thank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe to the podcast, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree

In this episode, Dr. Jay-Sheree Allen opens the 2021 season by acknowledging the challenges we’ve been facing for greater than 1 year in this pandemic.  We also set the record straight on a few popular terms including herd immunity, variants, mutations and we discuss the way in which vaccines work. She believes that the vaccines are offering us some light at the end of the tunnel. What are your thoughts and are you getting the vaccine?Thank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe to the podcast, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree

On this episode we are joined by Dr. Jacinda Abdul-Mutakabbir for a discussion on the COVID-19 vaccine. On December 11, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued the first emergency use authorization (EUA) for a vaccine for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in individuals 16 years of age and older. Dr. Jacinda Abdul-Mutakabbir is currently an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, CA. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the University of Saint Joseph, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Infectious Diseases, as well as a Masters in Public Health at Wayne State University. Thank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe to the podcast, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree

On this episode we are joined by Dr. Michelle Ogunwole for a unique discussion on Black women, healthcare and the concept of beauty shops being a future healthcare space. Dr. Michelle Ogunwole (@drchellemd) is an Internal Medicine physician, health disparities researcher, and social justice advocate focusing on the health of Black women. She is interested in the impact of pregnancy on long term health and improving women's health equity throughout the life course. Thank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe to the podcast, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree

On this episode we are joined by Francisco Roman, PharmD for a discussion on vaccines. There are a lot of conversations around this topic, especially now that influenza season is in full swing and a COVID-19 vaccine is on the horizon. Francisco is a Clinical Pharmacist by training and currently works as a medical science liaison with Sanofi Pasteur vaccines division.Thank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe to the podcast, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree

On this episode we are joined by Dr. Stella Safo for a discussion on Voting in 2020. This pandemic has highlighted the intersection of health and politics. This has inspired multiple healthcare professionals to step up as poll workers and voting rights advocates.Dr Safo is an HIV primary care provider based in New York City. She holds a role as an assistant professor of medicine at Mount Sinai and is a strategic advisor at Premier Inc. She’s one of the cofounders of Vote Health 2020 a non-partisan coalition of health professionals collaborating to increase the number of our peers and patients registered to vote by November 3, 2020. Thank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe to the podcast, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree

On this episode we are joined by Dr. Supriya Rao for a discussion on Obesity Medicine. Supriya Rao, MD is a board certified physician in Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Obesity Medicine. She is a managing partner of her GI practice, Integrated Gastroenterology Consultants, located in Chelmsford, MA and the Director of Medical Weight Loss at Lowell General Hospital.Thank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe to the podcast, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree

On this episode we are joined by Dr. Natalie Gentile for a discussion on lifestyle medicine and steps we can take to improve our health.Dr. Gentile is the founder of Gentile Family Direct Primary Care, an innovative practice that cuts out the middle-man of insurance in favor of a membership-based model. This allows her to work for who really matters: her patients. She specializes in Lifestyle Medicine, focusing on how she can help patients prevent, treat, and potentially reverse chronic disease with focused lifestyle changes.Thank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe to the podcast, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree

In this episode of the Millennial Health Podcast, Dr. Jay-Sheree is joined by another Millennial MD, Wife and Mom -- Dr. Darcie Joseph-Watkins for a candid conversation on maintaining her health as well as that of her family. She is a wife, mom, physician and youtube blogger. She chronicles her life as an anesthesiologist in the midst of the pandemic and her journey as a new mother. She is currently practicing on Long Island, New YorkThank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree

On this episode we are joined by Dr. Tamika K. Cross for a discussion on Black Maternal Health. We've heard the statistics and the stories about Serena Williams among others, but why exactly are Black mothers dying at such a disproportionate rate?Dr. Cross is a board certified physician who completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology and is currently practicing in Texas. Dr. Cross has a passion for improving health outcomes for patients in underserved communities, and has served on several multidisciplinary hospital committees aimed to address the alarming maternal morbidity rates in the country.Thank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe to the podcast, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree

In this episode of the Millennial Health Podcast, Dr. Jay-Sheree is joined by Millennial MD, Wife and Mom, Dr. Vanessa Nzeh for a candid conversation on maintaining the health of her family. She is a wife, mom, physician and the owner and content creator behind the blog FearlesslyOma.com. She is currently practicing as an internal medicine Hospitalist and pediatric urgent care physician in the Houston area. She has special interests in child and maternal health, health literacy, and the advancement of healthcare infrastructure in Nigeria. Dr. Nzeh’s ultimate goal is to inspire and encourage others to live fearlessly and fully in all areas of their life.Thank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree

On this episode, I join Dr. Tosin Odunsi for a candid IG Live podcast recording to discuss prioritizing our health and wellbeing.Dr. Tosin Odunsi, also known as The Life Motivator, is an Obstetrics & Gynecology physician who is deeply committed to the promotion of diversity in medicine. She is the founder of The Mentorship Squad (TMS), a community comprised of Black and Latinx women seeking mentorship along their journey to becoming U.S. physicians.Dr. Odunsi is also passionate about overall wellness. I’m impressed by her resilience as she transparently shares her journey on her Instagram page @lifebytosin.Thank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe to the podcast, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree

This has been a rough year ... and we still have 5 months to go ! In this episode Dr. Jay-Sheree Allen gets candid with listeners about some of her struggles over the first half of 2020 and explains her month long absence from the show. She also shares of few of her ‘survival tips’ that brought her through this challenging season.Thank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe to the podcast, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree

Mia Keeys serves as the Director of Health Equity Policy and Advocacy for the American Medical Association. She is the former Policy Director of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust and Health Policy Advisor to Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL). Previously, Mia has also been a Kaiser Family Foundation Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholar, a Fulbright Fellow, and 40 Under 40 Leader in Minority Health under the National Minority Quality Forum.In this episode we have an engaging discussion on race, racism, health equity, equality among other related topics. She sets the record straight and helps us to define some important terms in public health. She also introduces introduces us to a framework by Dr. Camara Jones to help us understand racism on three different levels. OOhhh, and she comes with receipts !

Dr. Brittany McCrorey graduated from Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry in 2014 and now practices general dentistry in New York. She is the co-director of a general practice residency program, and she is also pursuing a Master of Public Health degree from Columbia University. In her spare time, she enjoys creating natural hair care content for her platform, Teeth&Tendrils, as well as brunching with friends and painting.In this episode she indulges me in a podcast recording on Instagram Live. Fun Fact: My business coach Twanna Toliver encouraged me to try going Live on IG consistently for a few weeks before investing in podcast equipment. As you can tell, I did eventually start that podcast but I still miss going Live on Instagram, so I set out to try and merge the 2 worlds. Dr. Brittany and I discuss the current state of our lives as millennials. We unpack some feelings regarding the current events, the changes in our professional lives and we talk about some dental health essentials (afterall, she's a dentist).

On this episode of Millennial Health, we are joined by Dr. Jason Campbell, a resident physician in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine at Oregon Health and Science University. He graduated from Ohio State University College of Medicine and was a Division III All-American track and field athlete at Emory University. He has quickly grown a large following through dance videos on TikTok, and he is working to change the narrative of Black Men in Medicine. In response to the death of George Floyd and protests nationwide, he has been very vocal, speaking out against racism on his various social media platforms and publishing Op-Eds, most recently, Growing up a Black man in America: Why our souls are on fire in the Seattle Times. In this episode, we talk about speaking up as millennial, mental health in the black community and of course we talk about the TikTok routines.--Thank you for listening to the Millennial Health Podcast. Please subscribe to the podcast, share with your friends and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram and Twitter @DrJaySheree

In November of 2019 there was an article published by CBS News in response to a report by Blue Cross Blue Shield on the Health of Millennials, entitled Millennials' Declining health could sicken US economy. We’re suffering from conditions including hypertension, high cholesterol, depression at higher rates than our Gen Xers did at the same point in their lives, but it’s not enough to know this information or even in my case, be passionate about this ... we need a plan. At the end of their executive summary, they put together a call to action to policy makers and the health care community at large to address the declining health among younger Americans before the more severe consequences mentioned in their analysis that they reported on became a reality. That’s my purpose for Millennial Health.

Dr. Lionel McIntosh is a Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician in Minnesota, who hails from the the Bahamas. He has an interest in Lifestyle Medicine and Obesity Medicine. In this episode he helps us to understand principles around the Keto diet, the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet.

Dr. Judy Brangman, MD, is a board-certified internal medicine and lifestyle medicine physician who is dedicated to helping others live healthier and better. She is an advocate for a whole food plant based diet and enjoys teaching individuals and groups how to incorporate more plant based foods into their diet. In this episode of the Millennial Health podcast she explains the difference between vegan and plant based, she discusses some core principles of lifestyle medicine and she shares some of her favorite recipes. You can learn more on her website https://theplantbasedmd.com/

On today's episode, we are joined by Cardiologist, Dr. Megha Agarwal. She completed her specialty cardiovascular training in Women and Heart Disease at the Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and in Cardio-Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania. Her emphasis is in advanced echocardiography, early detection and treatment of heart disease in cancer survivors and management of cardiovascular disease in women. She is very passionate about to empowering people with science-based knowledge and accountability to help them develop a healthy and sustainable relationship with food and to that end has founded Healthwyse.We have a candid conversation about her journey to becoming a cardiologist, millennials investing in their heart health, the importance of exercise and healthy eating habits. We also discuss her 3 P's that are key when planning your meals.

The Global Jamaica Diaspora Youth Council is an organization seeking to engage, connect and empower young Jamaicans around the world. I serve as the West/Midwest Regional Representative and the resident Physician of the group. We recorded one of our Instagram Live sessions on coronavirus and we are sharing the audio here. We discuss the toll this pandemic is taking on our mental health, we explore some coping strategies and we discuss some CDC updates. We were also answering viewer questions along the way.

On this episode, we are joined by Dr. Utibe Essien, Internal Medicine Physician and Health Equity Researcher to discuss COVID-19 updates and health disparities related to this disease. We specifically address how COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting Black Americans. As the economic impact worsens and tensions are rising, we also reinforce some important guidelines for our fellow millennials.If you have questions or comments feel free to reach out on Instagram @MillennialHealthDoc

On this episode, we speak to Atlanta based Psychiatrist and Media Personality, Dr. Dion Metzger about Managing Your Mental Health in the Midst of a Crisis. This applies not only to personal issues, but the loss of a loved one and even the effects of the novel coronavirus also known as COVID-19. We advocate for therapy and make the distinction among psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers providing therapy.

Today we are joined by Dr. Italo Brown, an Emergency Medicine Physician on the frontlines. We have a candid conversation about COVID-19 but also mental health, wellness, health disparities and social emergency medicine.

In this episode we have a conversation with Dr. Jasmine Marcelin who is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Associate Medical Director of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program and Co-Director of the Digital Innovation and Social Media Strategy at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.Mainstream media has increasingly been reporting on the role of younger people in helping to stop the spread of this virus and we hope to contribute to this conversation.We referenced a few trusted and reliable sources for information on COVID-19, they include:CDC, WHO, IDSA, University of Nebraska

I acknowledge the current state of affairs with this pandemic, but we have great lessons in our toolkit for times such as this. I wanted to share some quotes from my therapy sessions that have continued to push me forward.1. Please follow recommended guidelines from the CDC, WHO and your local health departments.2. Please wash you hands as recommended.2. Please practice social distancing.3. Don't let fear take over ! Be prepared, but don't panic.

Dr. Jay-Sheree is joined by Psychiatry Resident Dr. Joshua Anthony for a candid discussion on therapy. We mentioned two websites in the episode to help find a therapist:https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapistshttps://providers.therapyforblackgirls.com/

Dr. Jay-Sheree Allen, joined by NYC based Psychiatrist Dr. Claudine Jones-Bournes have a candid conversation about depression. In this episode you can learn a little about the signs and symptoms of depression as well as treatment options. Some major takeaways:According to the WHO, depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide and is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease.Globally, more than 264 million people of all ages suffer from depression.Depression is different from usual mood swings and short-lived emotional responses to challenges in everyday life. Especially when long-lasting and with moderate or severe intensity, depression may become a serious health condition. At its worst, depression can lead to suicide. Close to 800 000 people die due to suicide every year. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in 15-29-year-olds.It is totally normal to have a bad day or couple of days, but if this feeling is overwhelming and impairs your ability to function for more than two weeks, then talk to your doctor about the possibility of depression. The signs can vary from person to person but some common ones include general malaise, lack of energy, losing interest in things that have been important, feeling hopeless, constantly worrying or having thoughts of harming oneself. Lifestyle interventions are great — but they sometimes aren't enough. In those cases, we recommend therapy, antidepressants or maybe even a referral to a specialist for more treatment options. If you or someone you know is struggling, please see a doctor. You can start with your regular doctor, a primary care physician and just let them know. If you are in a crisis, please feel free to go to your nearest ER to get help urgently.

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) published a report in 2019 on the Health of MillennialsMillennials are people born between 1981 and 1996Data not entire inclusive as it only includes 55 million commercially insured millennialsAccording to this BCBS Health Index Millennials as a group were living at about 95% of their optimal healthWhich on first glance looks really good but a deeper dive showed that …Older millennials (age 34-36) have higher prevalence rates for nearly all of the top 10 conditions than did Generation X members when they were in the same age rangeYounger generations facing health challenges at earlier ages than previous generations.The major decline in health, on average, begins at age 27Of the top 10 conditions, 6 are behavioral health conditions and 4 are physical health conditions. The top 10 conditions are (Ranked by Adverse Health Impact):Major DepressionSubstance Use DisorderAlcohol Use DisorderHypertensionHyperactivityPsychotic ConditionsCrohn’s disease/Ulcerative colitisHigh CholesterolTobacco Use DisorderType II Diabetes

According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, 43.8 million Americans experience mental illness in a given year and up to 42 million American adults live with anxiety disorders. It is still quite striking to me that depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and is a major contributor to the global burden of disease. Specifically in millennials, there has been a 47% increase in major-depression diagnoses since 2013, according to a Blue Cross Blue Shield report. Though we are clearly in the midst of a crisis, I am hopeful in reading the Business Insider’s statement claiming that “they're [millennials] more likely to go to therapy than previous generations, destigmatizing the concept in the process.”

Dr. Jay-Sheree shares her journey to medicine and her inspiration for launching this podcast.

I’m leaning in to what brings me joy in medicine: sharing medical information in a digestible fashion. I will use this platform to expand on important health discussions plus I'll add some inspiring thoughts along the way. I hope you'll subscribe to this podcast and share with your friends and family ! Follow me on Instagram @yourfavedoctorfriend