A few weeks ago I watched a virtual screening of The Color of Care, a documentary highlighting the disparate and inequitable care received by Black and Brown individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the movie, Executive Producer Oprah Winfrey opined that one of the primary issues with healthcare is the “empathy gap”. Upon hearing the
(updated 8/7/20) My rising junior moves into her off-campus apartment in 2 weeks. I have been reflecting on her first move-in day two years ago. Like most freshmen parents, we had spent a lot of time shopping for twin XL sheets, storage bins, a micro-fridge, and various other items to furnish her room away from
*Please note that this article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. You should always use your best judgment and the advice of your personal physician or another licensed healthcare professional when deciding when and where to seek medical care.* Years ago, there were very few options for
*Note: To watch Episode #10 of “Navigator Nuggets”, my weekly Facebook Live show (Mondays 8pm ET) where we had an informative discussion on this topic, click here. In December 2017, a 75-year-old woman in stable condition recovering from a brain bleed at Vanderbilt University Medical Center died after a nurse committed a
It’s hard to believe, but 2018 is almost a wrap! I know this is the season for holiday celebrations, self-reflection, and goal-setting, but as a professional health advocate, I am always thinking about your health. Here are my top 4 healthcare tips as you prepare for 2019. Many individuals underestimate the value
When I had gallbladder surgery 2 years ago, I was a full-time physician working for an academic medical institution in a large metropolitan area. I had great health insurance. I went to the Emergency Department for severe abdominal pain and was in the operating room early the next morning. Thankfully, all went well, and I
My husband may not be happy that I’m sharing this but getting him to go to the doctor is like dragging a toddler out of Disney World at the end of a long day. He doesn’t kick and scream, (ok, he doesn’t cry either) but he puts up fierce resistance. He comes up with a
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In Part 1 of this series, we learned that individuals are responsible for an increasing proportion of their health care costs. We also learned that there are numerous barriers that prevent one from comparison shopping for health care, including a lack of cost transparency, significant variability in cost between facilities, limited health literacy, and concerns
Are you a comparison shopper? When purchasing a pair of shoes, a washing machine, or a new car, do you browse various online sites in search of the best price? A December 2016 Pew Research study revealed that eight in ten American consumers shop online and that the primary reason is the ability to compare
If you have insurance through your job, your open enrollment season has likely ended and you have chosen (actively or passively) a health insurance plan for 2018. Congratulations! Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment season is winding down and I am sick and tired of reviewing insurance plans. My husband and I have less than
Restoring humanity in healthcare — one organization, one physician, one community at a time.