Advocates in Action

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. 

Empowered and Heard: Vanessa Spurlock’s Journey from Cancer Patient to Advocate

What if your doctor made you feel like you were their only patient? For Vanessa Spurlock, this was her reality—and it empowered her to take control of her own journey through breast cancer. With a deep sense of trust, respect, and care, Vanessa formed a unique partnership with her healthcare team at Virginia Commonwealth University's Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center that allowed her to make informed decisions and navigate her treatment with confidence.

Without any prior knowledge of cancer, Vanessa’s providers took the time to educate her, patiently explaining her treatment options, reassuring her during tough times, and even encouraging her to seek a second opinion if she wished. This personalized care gave Vanessa the clarity and peace of mind she needed as she faced the unknown. Throughout her journey, she journaled her thoughts, discovering a new sense of freedom and strength within herself.

Now, six years into survivorship, Vanessa is on a mission to help newly diagnosed patients find that same freedom. By empowering others to find their voice and advocate for themselves, she’s giving back the kind of support that made such a difference in her own journey.

In this powerful episode, listen to Vanessa share how the right care, paired with her own inner strength, helped her rewrite her story and become a beacon of hope and guidance for others.

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 Connection: Understanding Shared Decision-Making with Patients, Caregivers, and Providers

What does shared decision-making really mean for those living with cancer and chronic diseases? To answer that, we embarked on a year-long journey—traveling to Ruleville, Mississippi, Richmond, Virginia, and Los Angeles, California—to co-create workshops that brought together patients, caregivers, and providers. Along the way, we listened, learned, and gained invaluable insights into how people navigate their health decisions.

This journey wasn’t just about gathering data—it was about building authentic connections with individuals who shared their stories, wisdom, and experiences. We explored the deep histories that shape their healthcare choices, and uncovered the profound ways they weigh and make decisions about their lives and health.

Join us as we relive these powerful moments, reflect on the lessons learned, and share the meaningful stories that highlight what really matters when it comes to shared decision-making. It’s a conversation that sheds light on the complexities of healthcare choices, the importance of trust, and the resilience of the human spirit.

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. 

Understanding Health Through Diversity: Dr. Luisa Borrell on Hispanic and Latino Health Inequities

To truly tackle health inequities, we must first understand the unique challenges faced by each community. When it comes to the Hispanic and Latino populations, it’s crucial to avoid generalizations—these groups are not monolithic. The key to accurately assessing health disparities is in understanding the diverse experiences within these communities.

In this insightful episode, Dr. Luisa Borrell, a leading social epidemiologist, shares the framework she uses to unravel the complexities of health among Hispanic and Latino populations. By examining key factors such as ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education, income, immigration status, and neighborhood environment, Dr. Borrell provides a comprehensive approach to understanding the health status of these diverse groups.

In a world of intersectionality, Dr. Borrell explains that we cannot truly grasp the full picture of a person's health if we ignore the independent factors that shape their experience. Listen in as Dr. Borrell explores how a holistic approach to health is essential for addressing disparities and crafting equitable solutions that reflect the realities of each community.

Resources for this Episode Include:

Racial Identity Among Hispanics: Implications for Health and Well-Being: https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/10.2105/AJPH.2004.058172?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub++0pubmed

The Impact of Salmon Bias on the Hispanic Mortality Advantage: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2546603/

The First Birth Control Pill Used Puerto Rican Women as Guinea Pigs: https://www.history.com/news/birth-control-pill-history-puerto-rico-enovid 

The Mexican-American War: https://www.thecollector.com/mexican-american-war-territory/ 

This season is brought to you in collaboration with American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). This compliments the ABIM Foundation's Building Trust Initiative. We will highlight different stories and context that illustrate racial, ethnic, and gender health disparities. Our goal is to provide this historical context, show how it is connected to inequities that still happen, and share how changemakers are taking action to ensure that history doesn't continue to repeat itself. 

Resilience in the Face of Erasure: Advocacy, Identity and the Future of Native Communities

"There have been so many attempts to erase us, to destroy us, to take our lands. And we are still here, we're strong. We're one of the youngest and fastest growing populations in the country." — Erik Stegman, Executive Director of Native Americans in Philanthropy

Imagine being torn from your family, your home, your community. For centuries, this was the painful reality for many Native people, forced into boarding schools designed by the federal government to strip away their culture and way of life. Erik Stegman offers both a historical and personal perspective on the generational trauma that continues to shape the lives of Native communities.

In this compelling conversation, Erik reflects on the deep wounds left by these harms, and how he brings his identities into his work—advocating for tribal law, policy reform, and the empowerment of Native voices. Despite the weight of this painful history, Erik shares a powerful message of hope and resilience, speaking to the future of Indian Country and the growing strength of Native populations.

Listen as Erik challenges us to understand the legacy of these injustices, while reminding us of the unshakable resilience of Native peoples and their vital role in shaping a brighter future.

This season is brought to you in collaboration with American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). This compliments the ABIM Foundation's Building Trust Initiative. We will highlight different stories and context that illustrate racial, ethnic, and gender health disparities. Our goal is to provide this historical context, show how it is connected to inequities that still happen, and share how changemakers are taking action to ensure that history doesn't continue to repeat itself. 

Walt Whitman once said, "I am large, I contain multitudes," and this quote beautifully reflects the complexity and diversity of our identities. But does our healthcare system truly embrace and celebrate this diversity? Dr. Erica Concors takes us on a journey of community organizing and advocacy to create welcoming medical spaces where the LGBTQ+ community, especially transgender and non-binary individuals, can receive the quality, equitable care they deserve.

In this enlightening conversation, Dr. Concors shares how safe, inclusive spaces are crucial in ensuring that healthcare providers honor each patient’s unique needs, rooted in their identities, bodies, and life circumstances. When healthcare is personalized and inclusive, it paves the way for everyone—regardless of gender identity—to be their healthiest selves.

Tune in to hear how Dr. Concors is transforming the medical landscape to ensure that all people are seen, heard, and treated with respect, and why that’s key to building a healthier, more inclusive world.

This season is brought to you in collaboration with American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). This compliments the ABIM Foundation's Building Trust Initiative. We will highlight different stories and context that illustrate racial, ethnic, and gender health disparities. Our goal is to provide this historical context, show how it is connected to inequities that still happen, and share how changemakers are taking action to ensure that history doesn't continue to repeat itself. 

Resources for this Episode Include: 

Emergency Residents' Association (EMRA)’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee Webinar - LGBTQ Health: 101 for the EM Provider: https://vimeo.com/783395419