Episode 66 - A Deep Dive into Hematology and Sickle Cell Disease

On this episode of the Black Health 365 podcast, Britt and Jackie are joined by Dr. Marquita Nelson, who is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) and the Belz Medical Director of the Methodist Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center. Dr. Nelson shares her insights and expertise in the field of hematology, specifically in sickle cell disease, discussing its traits and providing valuable information to help our community better understand and manage this condition.

Marquita Nelson, MD, MS, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and the Belz Medical Director of the Methodist Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center. She completed her medical training at Emory University School of Medicine and a hematology/oncology fellowship at the University of Chicago, where she also obtained a master's degree in public health science. Dr. Nelson is passionate about improving the quality of life for people with sickle cell disease, particularly teenagers transitioning to adult care and older adults.

Dr. Nelson is also active in teaching fellows and promoting careers in hematology through her work with the American Society of Hematology. Marquita resides in Memphis, TN with her husband and son.  She enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and is passionate

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In this episode of the Black Health 365 podcast, Jackie and Britt are joined by Dr. Esa Davis, a U.S. Preventive Services Task Force member. Dr. Davis is a professor of medicine and family and community medicine and holds the positions of Associate Vice President for community health and senior dean of population and community medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

During the podcast, Dr. Davis explains the importance of the US Preventive Services Task Force for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. She shares how screenings can help diagnose hypertensive disorders like preeclampsia and hypertension. The nationwide initiative can assist expectant mothers and decrease the black maternal death rate in our community. Jackie and Britt hope this information will inspire our community to learn about the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommendations and seek medical attention sooner during pregnancy.

Dr. Esa Davis is a Task Force member and a professor of medicine and family and community medicine, the associate vice president for community health, and the senior associate dean of population and community medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She is the lead health equity strategist for the University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing. Dr. Davis is also the director of the Transforming Biomedical Research and Academic Faculty Through Leadership Opportunities, Training, and Mentorship (TRANSFORM) program.

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In this episode of the Black Health 365 podcast, Britt and Jackie are joined by Dr. Richard T. Benson, who is the Director of the Office of Global Health and Health Disparities at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, which is a part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, and Brady Johnson, who is a stroke survivor and ambassador at the American Stroke Association. Together, they emphasize the importance of having healthy conversations with your loved ones about health during this holiday season. These conversations can range from simple check-ins to learning about family history and discussing the risks associated with uncontrolled high blood pressure that might run in the family. They also encourage conversations about how to prevent and act fast in case of a stroke and the risk factors that may lead to dementia. Britt and Jackie hope to inspire  our community to take preventative measures and act fast to ensure good health.

Richard T. Benson, M.D., Ph.D., is Director of the Office of Global Health and Health Disparities at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. He is a leader in the fields of vascular neurology and health disparities research. His areas of research interest and expertise include health disparities and health equity research, and minority, community, and global health.

Brady Johnson is a stroke survivor and ambassador at the American Stroke Association. He is a retired Air Force veteran. Once an avid marathoner, he is now a competitive bodybuilder and singer. He hails from Belvidere, Illinois, and is happily married to his wife, Heather. He is also a proud father of two children.

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In the latest episode of the Black Health 365 podcast, Jackie and Britt have a special guest, Jesseca “Judy” Dupart-Harris, who is the founder and CEO of Kaleidoscope Hair Products and a well-known television personality. During the conversation, Judy talks about her fertility journey with her wife, Da Brat. She shares their experience with IVF and the valuable lessons they learned from it. Jackie and Britt hope this enlightening conversation will help those going through a similar journey.

Jesseca Dupart-Harris is a New Orleans-based entrepreneur who turned her Kaleidoscope Hair Products into a successful business venture. She designed the innovative UniKorn collection, catering to those who frequently change hairstyles. Her business acumen extends beyond beauty, as she diversified her portfolio with real estate investments. Dupart-Harris balances business, love, and family and is committed to community service.

In the realm of media and entertainment, Dupart-Harris has made significant strides. She stars in the WE tv docuseries “Brat Loves Judy,” alongside her partner, rapper Da Brat. The series is notable for its representation of an LGBTQ+ couple in reality TV, a significant step in terms of visibility and diversity. Dupart-Harris’s media appearances extend beyond her reality show. She has been featured in various outlets where she discusses her journey, challenges, and insights, providing valuable guidance and inspiration to her audience. Her journey exemplifies the power of resilience, innovation, and the ability to adapt and thrive in multiple arenas - from business to media and beyond.

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In this episode of the Black Health 365 podcast, Britt and Jackie are celebrating National Family Caregivers Month by recognizing and honoring caregivers from all over the country. They welcome Jonah Francis, an active board member of the Alzheimer’s Association, Vice Chairman of the Home Care Association of America in Connecticut, and owner of Pansy Homecare Service and a mental health organization, A Better Way, as a special guest. Jonah shares valuable insights into the world of caregiving and respite care, he also shares available resources. By acknowledging the providers and the month, Britt, and Jackie hope to bring attention to the selfless work of caregivers and the effort they put in that often goes unnoticed.

Jonah Francis is an active board member for the Alzheimer’s Association, Vice Chairman for the Home Care Association of America in Connecticut, and owner Pansy Homecare Service and a mental health organization, A Better Way. He was also recently recognized as a “40 under 40” honoree by the Hartford Business Journal and is a “100 Men of Color” honoree. His mission is to improve how we care for seniors, especially people living with dementia, and how we support their families living in it.

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In this episode of the Black Health 365 podcast, Britt, and Jackie welcome Dr. Derek M. Griffith. He is the Founding Co-Director of the Racial Justice Institute, Founder and Director of the Center for Men's Health Equity, a Member of the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, and a Professor of Health Management & Policy and Oncology. Together, they discuss the issue of men's health equity in our communities, exploring men's health outcomes and overall well-being. This thought-provoking episode highlights the importance of addressing men's health inequities. It's an illuminating and must-listen episode.

Dr. Derek M. Griffith is a Professor of Health Management & Policy and Oncology and Co-Director of the Racial Justice Institute. He is also the Director of the Center for Men's Health Equity. Dr. Griffith's research focuses on achieving racial, ethnic, and gender equity in health, primarily through interventions to promote Black men's health and well-being and address racism in organizations. Dr. Griffith has authored over 150 peer-reviewed manuscripts, edited three books, and provided expert review for the World Health Organization. He has received three noteworthy honors, including the American Public Health Association Tom Bruce Award.

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In this Black Health 365 podcast episode, Jackie and Britt are joined by Blair and Jasmine Matthews. Blair, the co-founder of the digital platform Zuri Fertility, and Jasmine, a physician assistant, share their fertility journey and highlight the importance of resources like Zuri Fertility to our community. The platform supports patients trying to conceive, offering services such as at-home testing, telehealth, and various resources to guide patients on their journey. By sharing this resource, Britt, and Jackie hope to inform and assist our community in accessing the support they need throughout their fertility journey.

Born and raised on the South side of Chicago, Blair and his wife, Jasmine, experienced first-hand the struggles of getting pregnant. During their experience, he recognized a need for services to help other couples struggling to get pregnant. His understanding of the problem inspired him to empower others through leadership to deliver results. Yet, before this idea and founding Zuri Fertility, he received his BA from Howard University in Washington, DC, where he met his wife Jasmine (a physician assistant). He earned his MPA from Columbia University in New York and his JD from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, where he focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, and negotiations. While at Northwestern, he shared his story and idea in class to help couples earlier in their fertility journey, and he met his now co-founder and began working on a solution. As a Father, Founder, and Leader, Blair has the experience, passion, and skills to bring Zuri to couples and is excited to change the infertility narrative.

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In this episode of the Black Health 365 podcast, Britt and Jackie continue their special series titled "What We Aren't Talking Enough About in the Black Community." They shed light on the issue of eating disorders, particularly among Black people. Dr. Ebony Butler, a licensed psychologist and food relationship strategist, joins them on the show to discuss the different types of eating disorders and the trauma, stigmatization, and lack of visibility surrounding this issue in the Black community. Dr. Butler offers valuable insights on addressing these issues and having difficult conversations. This informative episode is another must-listen for anyone who wants to learn more about the impact of eating disorders and their treatment.

Dr. Ebony believes in a collaborative approach to help clients achieve their goals. She believes that clients are the experts in their own lives, and by blending their areas of expertise together, they can help the client reach their desired goals. Dr. Ebony is passionate about helping women survivors thrive in trauma recovery and feel confident in their bodies and lives. She has helped clients work through a variety of issues related to PTSD, depression, anxiety, identity, body image, and other stress responses. She specializes in guiding women to develop skills that increase their effectiveness in self-care and intra/interpersonal interactions, including communication and assertiveness.  Dr. Ebony is particularly interested in issues that impact marginalized communities, including minority women and LGBT individuals. As a Food Relationship Expert, she helps women establish healthier relationships with food and their bodies by addressing ineffective behaviors, habits, and beliefs around food in her coaching business.

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In this episode of the Black Health 365 podcast, Britt and Jackie begin with part 1 of their special series titled "What We Aren't Talking Enough About in the Black Community." They discuss the topic of diet culture in the Black community and are joined by Dr. Ebony Butler, a licensed psychologist and food relationship strategist. Dr. Ebony discusses the impact of diet culture on the Black community and provides insights on how to address it. This is an informative and enlightening episode is a must-listen for everyone who wants to learn more about the effects of diet culture.

Dr. Ebony believes in a collaborative approach to help clients achieve their goals. She believes that clients are the experts in their own lives, and by blending their areas of expertise together, they can help the client reach their desired goals. Dr. Ebony is passionate about helping women survivors thrive in trauma recovery and feel confident in their bodies and lives. She has helped clients work through a variety of issues related to PTSD, depression, anxiety, identity, body image, and other stress responses. She specializes in guiding women to develop skills that increase their effectiveness in self-care and intra/interpersonal interactions, including communication and assertiveness.

Dr. Ebony is particularly interested in issues that impact marginalized communities, including minority women and LGBT individuals. As a Food Relationship Expert, she helps women establish healthier relationships with food and their bodies by addressing ineffective behaviors, habits, and beliefs around food in her coaching business.

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In this episode of the Black Health 365 podcast, hosts Jackie and Britt welcome Ricki Fairley, an award-winning marketing professional and breast cancer survivor and advocate. Ricki has dedicated her strategic expertise to promoting breast cancer awareness and has made it her mission to eliminate black breast cancer. As a survivor of triple-negative breast cancer, Ricki shares her journey and how she co-founded TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance, and currently serves as its CEO to address black breast cancer, ultimately reducing the mortality rate for Black women and making an impact in the fight against breast cancer.

By sharing Ricki's story, Jackie, and Britt hope to inspire listeners to take action, have difficult conversations with family members to learn about cancer in their lineage, support early detection, and raise awareness about this critical disease.

Ricki is an award-winning, seasoned marketing veteran that has transformed her strategic acumen into breast cancer advocacy. Ricki co-founded and serves as CEO of TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance to address Black Breast Cancer as a unique and special disease state, with the overall goal of reducing the mortality rate for Black women. As a Triple Negative Breast Cancer Survivor/Thriver, Ricki’s personal purpose, passion, mission, ministry, and blessing is to bring focus, attention, research, science, and action to eradicating Black Breast Cancer, and supporting and coaching what she calls her “Breasties” through their breast cancer experience.  With 35+ years of marketing experience including 20 years in brand management and over 15 years in agency leadership encompassing strategic planning and consulting for numerous Fortune 500 companies. She was recently at the White House for a Moonshot Briefing with Dr. Jill Biden. Ricki has two daughters, Amanda Brown Lierman and Hayley Brown, and 3 granddaughters, Belle, Leia, and Hart, who remind her of her purpose every day.

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