Public Health Me

In this episode of Public Health Me, host Amber Houze, MPH sits down with family medicine physician Dr. Jade Norris, M.D., to explore why prevention is one of the most powerful tools in women’s health. From essential health screenings and early disease detection to the impact of social determinants of health, Dr. Norris shares practical advice on how women can prioritize their well being without feeling overwhelmed. Tune in for an insightful conversation on preventative care, the evolving role of primary care, and why an ounce of prevention truly is worth it all.

In this episode of The Public Health Me Podcast, host Dr. Nicole Rankins sits down with Amber Johnson, MPH, CEO of Mocha Mamas Matrescence, for an important conversation about navigating pregnancy, birth planning, and maternal advocacy.

Amber shares insights on the difference between the birth plan we imagine and the birth reality many families experience. Together, they discuss why creating a birth plan is an essential step in preparing for labor, how expectant parents can advocate for themselves within healthcare settings, and what support systems are crucial before, during, and after childbirth.

This episode also highlights the importance of education, communication with providers, and empowering parents, especially within communities that often face disparities in maternal care. Whether you're currently expecting, planning for the future, or passionate about maternal health, this conversation offers practical guidance and empowering perspectives on preparing for birth while remaining flexible when plans change.

Season 4 of Public Health Me opens with a powerful and timely conversation on healing from the inside out. Hosted by Amber Johnson, MPH, this episode features Family Medicine physician Dr. Deepti Gandhi for a transformative dialogue on the intersection of belief, science, and whole-person wellness.

Together, they explore how mindset, manifestation, and medical practice converge, especially during challenging times. From mental resilience to physical health, this episode unpacks how caring for your mind, body, and soul is not just inspirational language, but essential public health practice.

If you’ve ever wondered how faith, intention, and evidence-based medicine can coexist, this conversation is for you.

Tune in and step into a new season of purpose, power, and possibility.

In this deeply personal episode of The Shift, we explore the transformative journey into motherhood—how it reshapes our identities, redefines our priorities, and challenges everything we thought we knew about ourselves. From the expectations the world places on mothers to the quiet internal battles of staying connected to who you were before the baby, we talk about the beauty and the struggle of becoming her—the mother, the woman, the whole self.

Whether you’re navigating sleepless nights, career pressures, or simply trying to hear your own voice again beneath the noise of “shoulds” and “musts,” this episode is for you. Tune in for real talk, honest reflections, and a reminder: you’re not alone in the shift.

Today, we sit down with Dr. Serena Chen, M.D. and discuss IVF and how it's been affected by changes in legislation. We talk about how IVF is used, when it should be considered an option and your choices.

Studies have shown that 1 in 8 women in the United States that experienced a recent live birth has experienced some symptoms of postpartum depression. According the the CDC, approximately 1 in 5 women are not asked about depression during their prenatal doctor's visit. The CDC also reports that over half of pregnant women with depression did not receive any treatment. This episode focuses on antenatal and postpartum depression, the signs and symptoms, where to seek help, how to mitigate symptoms, and create balance as a new mom. This episode features Dr. Erica Montes, a Board-Certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist and a Fellow of the American College of OB/GYN. Dr. Montes is a proponent of encouraging her patients to take an active role in their own health/healthcare. Dr. Montes speaks from the perspective of an OB/GYN and mother of 3, Dr. Montes models her own experiences as a mother and physician to help encourage women to know that they are not alone. This episode also features the personal experience of Amber Johnson, MPH the founder of the Public Health Me podcast, who struggled with prenatal depression while carrying her first child. 

This episode focuses on LGBTQ health, health disparities, and health inequities that have persisted for generations. LGBTQ+ individuals are less likely to have a primary care physician due to health disparities that continue to plague medical education and practice. This episode features Dr. Stacy De-Lin, a board certified gynecologist and family medicine physician who discusses her stance of LGBTQ+ health from the lens of a physician but also as a proud bisexual individual. Dr. De-Lin sees first hand in her medical practice how health disparities and lack of preventive care can directly effect the health of LGBTQ+ individuals long-term. This episode also features Maggie Hawkins, MPH, CHES who has a long history of providing health education for members of the LGBTQ+ individuals and other individuals in public health settings. Maggie is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and works hard to mitigate health disparities within her community; she has seen first hand how epidemics like the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 80's in America has had long-standing effects on the treatment of gay individuals in medical settings, but also how it has affected the lives of close friends she has lost due to HIV/AIDS. This episode serves as a catalyst for further action and education for medical professionals, policy makers, public health professionals, etc. to provide improved policies and care for members of the LGBTQ+ community.

This episode explores the topic of social determinants of health through the lens of public health and medical professionals. We often forget that social determinants of health are in everything the we do on a daily basis, from where we work, eat, play, live, etc. All of these factors and more have an effect on health outcomes of a person and their progeny. This episode features Dr. Arunima Bera, a board certified pediatric intensive care hospitalist who practices in Southern California. Dr. Bera sees first hand each day how social determinants of health affect her patient's and their family's lives. This episode also features Holly Eckelberger, MEd, MPH, an HIV Prevention Educator with years of experience in reproductive health education. Holly believes that social determinants of health are much deeper than what we see on the surface and that we must dive deeper to understand a patient's overall health and story. This episode focuses on social determinants of health from maternal health to children's health to educating physicians' regarding social determinants of health. 

We spend one-third of our lives sleeping or attempting to sleep. Most individuals either have a hard time going to sleep or staying asleep. This episode features special guest, Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell, a board certified physician and sleep specialist. Dr. Holliday-Bell discusses helpful tips and tricks to help individuals to gain better overall sleep in a short time frame. Dr. Holliday-Bell, also discusses how lack of sleep interferes with our body's overall metabolic processes and circadian rhythm. 

This episode explores the effects of COVID-19 on children’s health from a physical, mental, and social standpoint. The goal of this episode is to shine a light on children ’s well-being which has often been forgotten during this pandemic. This episode features Dr. Arunima Bera, MD, a board certified pediatrician who currently works as an ICU pediatric hospitalist at Valley Children’s hospital in Madera, CA. Dr. Bera, discusses her experiences as a physician who has cared for children affected by COVID-19 and other serious illnesses. Dr. Bera, discusses the effects of mask mandates, COVID-19 and safer schools, and misinformation surrounding the COVID-19 vaccines; Dr. Bera, discusses how each of these factors has affected children’s physical and mental health. This episode serves as a tool to educate parents' about mask wearing, vaccinating their children, vaccinating themselves before, during, or after pregnancy, and keeping up with their child’s routine vaccine schedule and pediatric care in the midst of the pandemic.