You can text us here with any comments, questions, or thoughts!

This week, Kemi welcomes Dr. Nina Zhao, an otolaryngologist and educator who shares her unique journey in academic medicine.  

Dr. Zhao is an Assistant Professor and fellowship-trained Laryngologist in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Case Western Reserve University. She serves as the medical director of the University Hospitals Swallowing Program and as the Associate Program Director for the residency program. Dr. Zhao’s passions include medical and surgical education, laryngology, and swallowing disorders. Her research interests include outcomes and quality improvement in dysphagia management and program evaluation, assessment, and measurement design in surgical education. And she is also an alumni of The Get That Grant ® program. 

Join Kemi and Nina for an insightful conversation on assessment, self-trust, and the power of community in shaping the future of medicine. 

CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS: 

• The importance of aligning personal purpose with professional goals. 
• How to navigate feelings of isolation and uniqueness in academic medicine. 
• The role of community in fostering resilience and motivation. 
• Strategies for maintaining focus and clarity in chaotic environments. 

 Loved this convo? Please go find Dr. Zhao on LinkedIn to show her some love!  

If you'd like to learn more foundational career navigation concepts for women of color in academic medicine and public health, sign up for our KD Coaching Foundations Series: www.kemidoll.com/foundations. 

You can text us here with any comments, questions, or thoughts!

This episode features a heartfelt conversation with Dr. Nadia Abuelezam, an Associate Professor at Michigan State University and an epidemiologist dedicated to advancing health equity among Arab and MENA American populations. Join Kemi and Nadia as they reflect on Nadia's transformative journey from feeling undervalued and stuck in her academic career to embracing her purpose and finding agency in her work. 

Nadia shares the emotional toll of being in a system that often prioritizes institutional needs over individual passions and recounts her journey of self-discovery, the pivotal moments that shaped her career, and how she is now paving the way for future scholars in her field. 

Together, they explore the power of purpose-driven work in overcoming systemic barriers and how participating in the Get That Grant® coaching program contributed to her shift in mindset.  

CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS: 

• The significance of community and resilience in creating impactful work. 
• What fulfillment looks like beyond traditional measures of success. 
• The power of purpose-driven work, especially in the face of challenges. 
• How rejection can serve as an opportunity for growth and refinement. 

 
Loved this convo? Please go find Dr. Abuelezam on LinkedIn @nabuelezam to show her some love! 

If you'd like to learn more foundational career navigation concepts for women of color in academic medicine and public health, sign up for our KD Coaching Foundations Series: www.kemidoll.com/foundations. 

You can text us here with any comments, questions, or thoughts!

This week, Kemi welcomes Dr. Francesca Duncan, a physician and researcher specializing in pulmonary and critical care medicine. Together, they explore the often-overlooked topic of lung cancer screening, especially within black and brown communities, where disparities in access and awareness persist.  

As they dig into the current state of academic medicine, they discuss the institutional inertia that hinders progress and the necessity of systemic responses to the challenges faculty face. Francesca reflects on her transformative experience in the KD Coaching program, Get That Grant® program, revealing how it has empowered her to reclaim her time, prioritize her purpose, and enhance her productivity. 

Join Kemi and Francesca for an insightful conversation filled with valuable strategies for navigating the tumultuous landscape of academic medicine, fostering self-trust, and ultimately thriving in your career. 

CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS: 

• Understanding the critical need for lung cancer screening in underserved populations. 
• The importance of community support and mentorship in navigating academic challenges. 
• Strategies for reclaiming personal time and setting boundaries to enhance productivity. 
• The role of self-trust in professional development and career satisfaction. 

Loved this convo? Please go find Dr. Duncan on LinkedIn and Instagram (@drfancy14) to show her some love!  

If you'd like to learn more foundational career navigation concepts for women of color in academic medicine and public health, sign up for our KD Coaching Foundations Series: www.kemidoll.com/foundations. 

You can text us here with any comments, questions, or thoughts!

Imposter syndrome, as defined, is that nagging feeling that your achievements are merely luck rather than a reflection of your hard work and capabilities. Kemi emphasizes that while this feeling is common, it can be misdiagnosed.  

 This discussion is not just about feeling inadequate; it’s about recognizing the difference between genuine skill gaps and the emotional turmoil that can accompany holding a marginalized identity in a predominantly white space.  

 Listen now as Kemi invites us to reflect on our experiences and consider how we can face the fire of self-awareness. 

 If you'd like to learn more foundational career navigation concepts for women of color in academic medicine and public health, sign up for our KD Coaching Foundations Series: www.kemidoll.com/foundations. 

You can text us here with any comments, questions, or thoughts!

The rules of the game changed. The gig economy has already reshaped academic medicine. The old guarantees are gone; tenure, titles, and “waiting your turn” are not a strategy. These four non-negotiables are.  

 If you’ve felt the shift, but haven’t had the language or the plan, this conversation gives you both. Join in as Kemi breaks down what’s changed, what’s not coming back, and the four non-negotiables you need to navigate grants, promotions, and opportunities to lead your career on purpose so you can build work that is sustainable, funded, and aligned. 

 If you'd like to learn more foundational career navigation concepts for women of color in academic medicine and public health, sign up for our KD Coaching Foundations Series: www.kemidoll.com/foundations. 

You can text us here with any comments, questions, or thoughts!

This week’s episode explores the intersection of plagiarism allegations and systemic issues in academia. How do we navigate these challenges while maintaining authenticity? 

 Join Kemi as she reflects on an unexpected twist that led to the creation of this episode, the options she considered and the lessons learned from this experience, emphasizing the need for open dialogue and connection in the face of adversity. 

 This enriching conversation not only addresses the immediate concerns of plagiarism allegations but also invites a broader reflection on the future of academia. Tune in now to gain insights that could change the way you view your academic journey. 

If you'd like to learn more foundational career navigation concepts for women of color in academic medicine and public health, sign up for our KD Coaching Foundations Series: www.kemidoll.com/foundations. 

You can text us here with any comments, questions, or thoughts!

This week, Kemi tackles the pressing question: What does the new standard of academia look like in the wake of recent upheavals? As institutions grapple with shifting ideologies, Kemi explores the implications for academic faculty and the emergence of a new "gig economy" within academia.  

In this episode, she emphasizes the need for faculty to redefine their self-worth, viewing themselves as valuable resources rather than mere commodities to be leveraged by institutions. Kemi also outlines the importance of understanding the connections between your input and output, and how to articulate your unique contributions, your “collateral benefits”, within this evolving landscape. Tune in now to join the discussion. 

If you'd like to learn more foundational career navigation concepts for women of color in academic medicine and public health, sign up for our KD Coaching Foundations Series: www.kemidoll.com/foundations. 

You can text us here with any comments, questions, or thoughts!

Have you felt the tremors of change in the academic job market? The landscape of academia is shifting, and job security is no longer what it used to be.  

 In our latest episode, Kemi’s diving into the shifting sands of job security in academia. As institutions reevaluate tenure and funding structures, Kemi candidly explores the implications of these changes and encourages listeners to stop waiting and start facing the fire. What does the new standard of academia look like, and how can we adapt? Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation that challenges us to rethink our assumptions about job security and our roles within these evolving systems. 

If you'd like to learn more foundational career navigation concepts for women of color in academic medicine and public health, sign up for our KD Coaching Foundations Series: www.kemidoll.com/foundations. 

You can text us here with any comments, questions, or thoughts!

This week Kemi dives into the world of global health with Dr. Neelima Navuluri, a pulmonary and critical care physician at Duke University and the Durham VA. Together, they explore her impactful work in Kenya and the challenges of addressing chronic lung diseases in resource-limited settings. 

In this conversation, Neelima shares her journey from a passion for global health to her specialization in post-tuberculosis lung disease, highlighting the importance of self-trust and purpose-driven work. As she reflects on the current chaotic landscape of global health, Neelima emphasizes the need to resist apathy and stay committed to meaningful change, despite the obstacles. 

Join in as they discuss the significance of community, the power of mindset shifts, the importance of maintaining clarity in the face of uncertainty and Dr. Neelima’s experience with the Get That Grant® program.  

CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS: 

• The role of self-trust in navigating a career in global health. 
• How to find purpose and motivation amidst chaos. 
• The importance of community and validation in academic spaces. 
• Strategies for staying committed to impactful work despite external challenges. 

 MENTIONS: 

Duke University
Ampath Consortium
USAID
NIH 
 

If you'd like to learn more foundational career navigation concepts for women of color in academic medicine and public health, sign up for our KD Coaching Foundations Series: www.kemidoll.com/foundations. 

You can text us here with any comments, questions, or thoughts!

Continuing our conversation from last week on keeping apathy at bay in a chaotic world, this episode dives into how to stay focused on your goals. 

 Drawing on Timothy Snyder's critical lessons from his book, "On Tyranny," Kemi emphasizes the importance of fighting for the integrity of our professions and institutions in the face of growing authoritarianism and misinformation. Listen in for insights on how to leverage our privileges and skills for meaningful impact, even amidst chaos. 

 This episode is your roadmap to regain focus and purpose in your career by creating structures that support your work and maintain your commitment to meaningful contributions, ensuring that when the dust settles, we have something to return to. 

 MENTIONS 

On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder  
American Academy of Pediatrics
American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology 
 

If you'd like to learn more foundational career navigation concepts for women of color in academic medicine and public health, sign up for our KD Coaching Foundations Series: www.kemidoll.com/foundations.