For many patients in rural and underserved communities, seeing a kidney specialist has long meant hours of travel, months of waiting, and overwhelming anxiety. Meharry Medical College alumna Dr. Sharica Brookins (Class of 2012) saw the impact of those gaps firsthand — and instead of accepting them, she brought care closer to the patient's home. Through Remote Renal Care, the state's first fully virtual nephrology practice, she's bringing hope, access, and continuity of care to patients who need it most. Her work embodies the mission-driven spirit she developed at Meharry Medical College and showcases what's possible when medicine meets innovation.

Dr. Armen Henderson, a Meharry graduate, shares his journey as an advocate on the front lines of health equity. Our discussion covers how his organization grew from disaster relief and community workshops into a full-time provider of comprehensive, around the clock care for marginalized communities. We'll offer an insider's look into the complexities and rewards of running a not-for-profit health care model and make the case that health care is a right, not a privilege.

In our Season One finale, Dr. Hildreth welcomes back entrepreneur and health equity advocate Marcus Whitney to reflect on the importance of building and maintaining trust in healthcare. Together they'll explore Meharry Medical College's critical role in addressing historical health disparities, particularly for marginalized communities, and the groundbreaking Together for Change initiative that will sequence the genomes of 500,000 individuals of African descent, enabling breakthroughs in personalized medicine that can benefit underrepresented populations for generations to come.

David Feinberg, MD, chairman of Oracle Health, believes AI will revolutionize health care, enabling better outcomes through predictive diagnostics, streamlined workflows and reduced clinician burden. In this episode, he shares how Oracle Health's innovative platform leverages AI to enhance efficiency and accuracy, integrating tools like ambient listening and real-time data capture to improve patient-provider interactions. By addressing inefficiencies in electronic health records (EHRs), the system allows clinicians to focus entirely on patients, while post-visit processes can be automated, allowing physicians to see more patients and provide human-centered care.

LifePoint Health's CEO, David Dill, shares his personal story and the inspiration behind his work in addressing the challenges of delivering health care to rural areas and communities. Dill joins Dr. Hildreth to emphasize the importance of partnerships and collaborations in addressing these challenges and to highlight the role of trust in health care delivery. They also cover the significance of residency programs in building the health care workforce in these areas and encourage individuals to take care of themselves, stay engaged with their health and remain active.

As a pillar of the Meharry community for over six decades, Dr. Henry Moses continues to lead with a legacy of leadership, and a deep commitment to student mentorship. Together, Dr. Moses and Dr. James E.K. Hildreth address the evolving perceptions of Meharry over the years and the profound impact the institution has had on patient care, both locally and world-wide. They also reflect on some of their most cherished memories at Meharry, including initiatives Dr. Moses began which continue to influence the school today. It's all part of his mission to donate his time, knowledge and resources to the next generation, ensuring they will thrive for many more to come.

Senator Bill Frist believes climate change impacts more than just our environment; it also has a significant effect on our mental and physical health. Sen. Frist joins Dr. Hildreth to discuss the reasons for rising incidences of diseases previously under control, and highlights the correlation between weather and increases in violent crime, suicide and natural disasters. They also explore the health impact those things have on marginalized communities who are disproportionately affected due to lack of access, transportation and resources for prevention and adaptation.

Trust in health care is eroding, with the percentage of people who trust physicians decreasing from 90% in 2020 to 75% in the present. Alex Jahangir, MD, MMHC, an orthopedic surgeon and chair of the Board of Health in Nashville, joins James E.K. Hildreth, PhD, MD, to discuss lessons learned from the pandemic and the negative consequences that dwindling trust between may have on patient outcomes. Together, Jahangir and Hildreth highlight innovative solutions to rebuild the doctor-patient relationship, calling on organizations to recognize the problem, value patient's beliefs and utilize technology to bridge the communication gaps.

Jeannette South-Paul, M.D., DHL(Hon), FAAFP, executive vice president and Provost of Meharry Medical College, joins James E.K. Hildreth, PhD, MD, to discuss the longstanding relationship between the Department of Veterans Affairs and medical schools across the country. Together they delve into the impact this collaboration has on medical students, veterans and the broader health care landscape. South-Paul also shares insights from her 20 years of active duty service in the United States Army and highlights the importance of diversity in the clinical workforce for veterans.

Dr. Atul Grover, executive director of the AAMC Research and Action Institute, outlines his concerns regarding health disparities created by recent policy changes and the effects regulations have on minority populations. As a nationally recognized expert in health policy, Dr. Grover describes his goal of contributing to growth in academic medicine through increasing diversity within the health care workforce, the dangers of restrictive policies within OB-GYN and AAMC's advocacy for federal support in residency training programs, and securing the funding which will make a lasting change.