Dr. P On The Pod

What does it take to stay committed to the work of building healthier communities? In this episode of Dr. P on the Pod, Dr. Pernessa C. Seele and Dr. Cary Goodman reflect on The Balm In Gilead’s mission, the power of partnership, and the commitment needed to turn purpose into lasting action. Join them for a conversation about the people and relationships that keep the work moving forward.

Joining us today is Deputy Director Pam Price, RN, who reminds us that every conversation about data centers is also a conversation about health. She will help us understand how rising utility costs and environmental pressures can affect families—particularly those in rural and lower-income communities—and why the full economic and health costs of development must be considered from the beginning.

Virginia currently leads the nation in data center development, with hundreds of facilities operating and many more planned or under construction. While these facilities support our increasingly digital world, their growth raises important questions about energy costs, water use, environmental impacts, noise, infrastructure, and whether affected communities have a meaningful voice in the decisions being made.

A special message from our very own Dr. Pernessa C. Seele, Founder and CEO of The Balm In Gilead, Inc., a not-for-profit organization. Dr. Seele is celebrating over 38 years of providing vision and leadership in areas of technical support to strengthen the capacity of faith institutions in the United States and Africa to eradicate health disparities by promoting health education and services within their local communities.

Born in the heart of the south, this Lincolnville native always shares a special love for South Carolina. Dr. Seele received her Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Science from Clark Atlanta University in 1976 & 1979, respectively, later receiving her Doctor of Humane Letters from the College of New Rochelle, NY, in 2007.

As a pioneer and community activist, Dr. Seele is known for her work in forging public health & faith-based partnerships for engaging individuals in health promotion and disease prevention interventions. Time Magazine 100, who named Dr. Seele One of the Most Influential Persons in the World in 2006; Essence Magazine, in its 35 Anniversary issue, named Dr. P one of the 35 Most Beautiful and Remarkable Women In The World. Clark Atlanta University honored Dr. Seele with the 2008 Pathway of Excellence Award, citing her as one of its most outstanding graduates of all time. In May 2010, Dr. Seele was selected as 21 Leaders of the 21st Century of Women E-News in New York City.

Dr. Seele is well known for her extraordinary vision and ability to create national and global partnerships among leaders of various cultures and religious doctrines in the areas of health. As a pioneer and community activist, Dr. Seele is known for her work in forging public health & faith-based partnerships for engaging individuals in health promotion and disease prevention interventions.

She has worked with three US presidential administrations on issues of health in the United States and abroad. Dr. Seele was an invited guest of former President and First Lady Laura Bush for the State of the Union Address representing a symbol of President Bush’s commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS in the world. In 2010, Dr. Seele was invited to participate in the Fortune TIME CNN Global Forum in Cape Town, South Africa, along with President William “Bill” Clinton and a host of international leaders and Fortune 100 chief executive officers to focus on challenges and solutions in the developing world.

October 2017, His Eminence, Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, bestowed the Pierre Toussaint Medallion upon Dr. Seele.

Publishing her first book Stand Up to Stigma! How to Reject Fear & Shame in 2017. Dr. Seele is an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Dr. Taquina Davis is a public health educator, researcher, and consultant. She serves as Managing Partner at Health E Strategies and as an adjunct professor. She brings over 15 years of experience to Health E Strategies, demonstrating her ability to collaborate effectively with various sectors. She is skilled in managing and assisting with advocacy, health, racial equity, community engagement, and healthcare delivery. Dr. Davis is passionate about working with organizations that focus on strengthening and implementing strategies to achieve health equity. Her expertise spans program development, management, community health, population health, complementary and alternative health, chronic disease prevention, and wellness.

As a leader in community health, Dr. Davis actively engaged with communities to significantly improve health outcomes. In her previous roles, she has developed, implemented, evaluated, and maintained comprehensive, evidence-based chronic disease prevention and wellness programs tailored for underserved and uninsured community members. Additionally, she has led local coalitions by overseeing the development of plans and logic models and cultivating resources with new partners to support community health and equity initiatives.

Dr. Davis also served as an advisor for various local community coalitions, boards, and advocacy committees. She assists in advancing state and local public health practices to achieve health equity. Furthermore, she is an adjunct professor in the School of Health Sciences at Purdue University Global. Dr. Davis holds a Master’s degree in Health and Wellness with a concentration in alternative medicine and a Ph.D. in Health Education and Promotion.

Gertie Houston Williams is an accomplished and progressive operations executive with extensive years of experience in corporate, human service management, program management and event planning. Worked at major corporate, non-profit entities and Faith-Based communities in executive and senior leadership positions.

Dr. Janelle K. St. Louis is a pharmacist, educator, ministry leader, community advocate, and candidate for Chesapeake City Council who is passionate about serving God by serving people. She currently serves as a Clinical Pharmacist serving our active duty, veterans, and their families. She is also an Adjunct Professor, helping to educate and mentor the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Beyond her professional career, Dr. St. Louis has dedicated her life to community service and faith-based leadership. She serves as Director of the Health and Wellness Ministry at The Mount Chesapeake, where she helps advance the church’s mission to Care, Connect, and Cover God’s people through health education, outreach, and advocacy. Under her leadership, the ministry has expanded its impact through community health fairs, wellness initiatives, health screenings, and partnerships that address health disparities throughout Hampton Roads.

In 2026, Dr. St. Louis answered the call to public service by running for Chesapeake City Council. Her campaign is rooted in the belief that leadership is stewardship and that elected officials should put people before politics. Guided by her experience as a healthcare professional, educator, and woman of faith, she is committed to improving public health, supporting small businesses, strengthening neighborhoods, addressing flooding and environmental challenges, and ensuring every resident has a voice in local government.

Above all, Dr. St. Louis is a woman of faith who believes her purpose is found in serving others and glorifying God through her work. Her life verse, Philippians 4:13, reminds her daily that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Whether caring for patients, mentoring young leaders, serving her church, or advocating for her community, Dr. St. Louis strives to live out the words of Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Her mission is simple: to use her gifts, knowledge, and faith to make a lasting difference in the lives of others and to leave every community she serves better than she found it.

In this special episode, Dr. P shares a heartfelt reflection on what the Fourth of July truly means to her. More than a celebration of America's independence, it is a time to honor the ancestors whose resilience, sacrifice, and contributions helped build this nation. Dr. P shares the importance of family, community, and preserving the legacy of those who paved the way for future generations.

Dr. Eden Biltibo is a Hematology/Oncology clinical fellow at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN.

Dr. Camille V. Edwards is a board-certified primary care physician at Boston Medical Center (BMC) and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine.

Dr. Joselle Cook is a hematologist/oncologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where she specializes in dysproteinemia, plasma cell disorders, and precursor conditions.

THIS PODCAST IS BROUGHT TO YOU IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MULTIPLE MYELOMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION.

Larry Overton is the Founder & Director of Overton Estates in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. Overton Estates stands on land that has remained in the same family for more than a century. This land was not inherited casually — it was earned through determination, sacrifice, and an unwavering belief in ownership, education, and community. Overton Estates is not preserved as a relic of the past — it is activated as a living legacy. Horses, land stewardship, youth engagement, and community gatherings all serve a larger purpose: honoring where we come from while creating space for what’s next. Today, Overton Estates encompasses more than three hundred acres of land.

Larry has transformed a section of his family's property into an equestrian sanctuary, offering trail rides, horsemanship classes, and clinic.

Ivy Snead is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist with more than eight years of experience serving diverse populations, including individuals with brain injuries, mental health disorders, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, and conduct disorders. A proud product of Richmond and Goochland, Virginia, Ivy attended Old Dominion University. She is passionate about creativity, wellness, and experiences that challenge and inspire the right side of the brain.