The Doctor Is In

What does it take to lead, challenge convention, and create lasting change? In this Women of Dartmouth and Geisel School of Medicine roundtable, moderator Soledad O’Brien speaks with trailblazing leaders Ricki Fairley, Dr. Carolyn Mazure, Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee, Geeta Anand, Dr. Antonia Novello, and Lacey Horn about leadership, legacy, and lessons learned.

The panel explores the history of women’s exclusion from medical research, persistent gaps in women’s health research and clinical trials, and disparities affecting Black and Native communities. Speakers share personal experiences navigating bias and building careers, and discuss healthcare equity, late diagnosis, patient advocacy, mentorship, AI in medicine, vaccine policy, and the challenges of balancing motherhood and medical careers. Their candid stories offer inspiration and practical perspective for the next generation of leaders in healthcare, research, journalism, and public service.

Cancer and Finances: What Patients Need to Know About Insurance, Work, and Medical Bills

The Real Cost of Cancer: Health Insurance, Disability Benefits, and Workplace Rights

Cancer Financial Toxicity: Understanding Your Insurance and Protecting Your Income

Working Through Cancer: Job Protections, Accommodations, and Financial Choices

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Cancer can bring major financial and legal challenges—but patients don’t have to navigate them alone. In this episode of The Doctor Is In, cancer rights attorney Monica Bryant, co-founder and chief mission officer of Triage Cancer, explains how to make informed decisions about health insurance, medical bills, employment, and finances after a cancer diagnosis.

Learn the basics of health insurance—including premiums, deductibles, cost sharing, and out-of-pocket maximums—and why it’s important to understand what your plan covers. Monica also clarifies the difference between income benefits and job protection: short-term disability, sick time, and vacation time may replace income, while laws such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may offer workplace protections.

The conversation covers reasonable workplace accommodations, privacy when discussing a diagnosis with an employer, disability insurance, insurance denials and appeals, and the value of planning ahead. Monica shares free resources from Triage Cancer, including its legal and financial navigation program and online education. Visit triagecancer.org to learn more.

In this episode of The Doctor Is In, Ricki Fairley is joined by prostate cancer survivors and advocates Roy Johnson, Alvin Fields, James Williams Jr., and John Cash for an honest conversation about prostate cancer—especially its impact on Black men and their families.

The guests share personal experiences with diagnosis, PSA testing, biopsies, radiation, hormone therapy, prostatectomy, recovery, and life after treatment. They discuss the importance of knowing your family history, asking questions, advocating for yourself, and seeking a second opinion when you need one. The conversation also addresses the stigma and family silence that can make it harder to talk about health, as well as the need for broader participation in clinical trials and more inclusive cancer research.

This episode is for anyone seeking candid perspectives on prostate cancer awareness, screening conversations, patient advocacy, survivorship, and supporting loved ones. It is a personal discussion, not medical advice; consult a qualified health professional about your individual screening and care options.

Oncology NP Dr. Wendy Garvin Mayo joins to discuss mental health and cancer—stigma, caregivers, faith, self-care, and her affordable survivorship support program.

Visit www.wenwellwellness.com to learn more about Dr. Wendy's practice.

A Women's Health Conversation