Curiosity Collective

Welcome to  Women in Medicine Month!!

Join us as Dr.Yee shares her experience as a woman in the male-dominated field of pain medicine, why representation matters so very much, the reality of treating patients through a global pandemic, and how she takes care of herself and finds her joy in the midst of it all.  

Dr.Catherine Yee is double-board certified physician in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) and in Pain Medicine.  She began her residency training in Internal Medicine in Rochester, NY, her advanced training is in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation in Chicago, IL, and her subspecialty fellowship training in Pain Medicine in Iowa City, IA.  Dr.Yee's primary training and clinical focus in managing chronic pain is with minimally invasive procedures.  She approaches managing chronic pain through physical therapy, pain psychology, lifestyle changes, multimodal analgesic therapy, and interventional procedures.  Dr.Yee is a strong advocate for opioid minimization in chronic pain management by helping patients with alternative pain management methods that are safer, healthier and more evidence-based.  She also encourages people to take charge of their healthcare through improved health literacy as a Medical Advisor to WXXI's "Second Opinion" television program.

Join us as Jillian shares her experience working as a Speech Pathologist in one of the country's most revered medical institutions at the height of the global pandemic.  Content includes pandemic trauma, fear, and death.

Jillian (she/her) was raised and educated in Illinois, before moving to Maryland in 2012 where she now lives with her husband and 2 small boys. She enjoys quiet morning coffee, cooking, music, fitness, architecture and culture. She's worked in hospitals for the last 14 years as a medical Speech Language Pathologist, where she learned to believe in karma or something like it.  Jillian's greatest strength (and weakness!) is that she gives the benefit of the doubt until proven wrong. Go Bears!

Join our grand bestie reunion as Ticia shares her experience growing up in small town Pa as a multiethnic woman of color, and what it is to cultivate joy, creativity, and self-acceptance in the midst of it all.  Content includes racism and hate speech.

Ticia Albano (she/her) is a fun-loving, creative human who has a predilection for malarkey and shenanigans with her beefcake skateboarder husband and warm-hearted, whimsical, live-in BFF. A firm believer that great hugs, amazing friends and good conversation are necessities for survival and all things in life should be celebrated with laughter, love and whiskey. 

 

Join us as Nicole shares her experience as a cancer survivor, including the joys and challenges living wholeheartedly amidst the unknown.  Content includes cancer, loss, death and dying.

Nicole Mills (she/her) is an oncology nurse, spiritual director, cancer survivor, nerd, and contemplative. She is a graduate of Majestic Way Elementary School, UC Davis and Johns Hopkins University; however, her true knowledge has come through the pain, wonder and holiness of the previously listed roles. Nicole has a secret desire to be a nun or a double-dutch jump rope champion. Not being Catholic or able to jump two ropes poses significant hurdles, but she remains hopeful. Nicole is single, has a plethora of books, and holds great love for redwood trees, the mystery of God, and horses (in no particular order). She lives with her dog, Pax. She loves him, too.

Join us as Chi Chi (she/her) shares her experience as a first generation eldest Nigerian American daughter, her heart for social justice and Black liberation, and what it feels like to find freedom and love outside the bounds of organized religion.

Chi Chi Okwu is an advocate, speaker and nonprofit leader.  Her work and passion live at the intersection of social justice and human connection and she is committed to building a world where everyone can thrive.  For more than a decade, Chi Chi has been responsible for strategic partnership development, fundraising, empowering teams, and implementing programs to address local and global  justice issues. She is currently the Executive Director of EverThrive Illinois, a reproductive justice advocacy organization working to eliminate racial and economic inequalities in healthcare. She is also the co-host and producer of The Next Question, a web-based talk show dedicated to moving the race conversation forward. 

Chi Chi is a graduate of the University of Alabama and has a Master’s Degree in Public Health. She currently lives in Chicago with her partner and their cat. She enjoys traveling, reading, cooking and sharing a great meal with friends and family. 

Join us as Debbie shares her experience creating a life centered on the pursuit of equity, relationship, and curiosity.  Content includes white privilege, racism, and LGBTQIA+ identity.

Debbie Gable grew up in Chester County, went to Penn State to earn a Bachelor's degree and then moved to York, Pa. where she has lived ever since. She loves to swim, read, spend time with children, and walk in the woods. She is committed to moving through the world in a way that is uplifting and encouraging to others. 

Join us as Jasmine shares her experience navigating young motherhood, entering the professional world as Black woman in the midst of a pandemic, and her heart full of plans to create a better world for her son Preston.  Content includes racism, sexism, and classism.

Jasmine Berry (she/her) is a mother first and foremost, a Penn State Graduate and an athlete.  She is a proud  strong Black woman, determined to break through every barrier with her dignity intact while she builds her legacy and creates a better world.  

Join us as Ellie shares the challenges and joys living freely and fully within the Trans experience, and her passion for creative connection, relationship, and  joy.  Content includes transphobia and homophobia.

Ellie Cochran (it/she) is a Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based new media designer, musician, adjunct professor, and futurist digital artist. Named one of the Keystone State’s next generation of Queer leaders and nominated for a Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania Women in Technology Award, its recent work focuses on designing interactions for augmented and virtual reality. Currently, Ellie is developing a workshop on the history and modern applications of synesthesia in art for the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, and acting as the Creative Director at Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition.

"The true mark of strength is how open you can be with your weakness". 

Join us as Tory shares his experience of depression, anxiety and addiction into a life of hope and recovery.  Potential trigger warnings include addiction, panic attack, depression, anxiety, toxic masculinity, and suicidal ideation.

Tory Fry resides in Philadelphia with his lovely wife Ticia, ding-dong dog Lula and friend Josh. He's an avid skateboarder of 31 years, and also enjoy studying neuroscience and how it applies to psychological disorders and their future treatments. He's been sober now for two years, and enjoys commiserating with other individuals new and old in recovery. He hopes by telling his story that it will bring comfort to someone during their struggles

Join us as Kat shares a little of her immigrant experience, navigating anger in the midst of injustice, and the joys and challenges of cultivating our transracial soulmate friendship.

 Content includes racism, rage, and medical system power abuse.

Kat (she/her/hers) resides in Birmingham, Alabama with her husband and three sons. She is currently finishing up a graduate degree in clinical and mental health, which is simply a reflection of her lifelong fascination with the human experience. She enjoys reading, planting, conversing, laughing, and eating.