The Black Doctors Speak Podcast

Dr. Michael LeNoir and Ellis Dean from BlackDoctor.org discuss the Social Emotional Role of the Black Father with guest speaker Macheo Payne, Ed.D, Executive Director of Community and Youth Outreach. Dr. Michael LeNoir and Ellis Dean from BlackDoctor.org discuss the Social Emotional Role of the Black Father with guest speaker Macheo Payne, Ed.D, Executive Director of Community and Youth Outreach.

The role of a father in a child’s social emotional development is very important. Fathers have the opportunity to provide a support system which can facilitate their children’s development and understanding of their emotions and relationships as they grow. This episode of the Black Doctors Speak Podcast is all about fatherhood, with an emphasis on the social emotional role of the Black father.

Dr. LeNoir speaks with guest Dr. Macheo Payne, Executive Director of Community & Youth Outreach. He talks with Dr. LeNoir about the many different aspects of a father’s role in the social and emotional development of their children, utilizing his own personal experiences on the successes and failures of emotional parenting. Dr. Payne also identifies parental triggers and responses to the social emotional needs of children. Also discussed in this episode are some social & emotional issues that are important to understand for progressive and supportive parenting, as well as how to engage in active listening.

The American healthcare system has a history of ignoring the health and wellness needs of Black women. Time and time again, African American women experience negative health outcomes, whether it be related to pregnancy and birth or other health related experiences. Research and statistics have revealed that this issue of poor health outcomes for Black women is a unique product of medical racism and discrimination in the United States, not a result of genetic difference between Black women and women of other races. Knowing all of this information, the question remains, what can be done to reconcile these health disparities being faced by so many African American women? This episode of Black Doctors Speak will explore these timely, complex issues that Black women are facing.

Dr. LeNoir is joined by a number of guests on this episode to discuss these important topics. Firstly, we hear from Dr. LaTonya Washington, President of the Bluff City Medical Society, which has worked for decades to eradicate health disparities. Dr. Washington & Dr. LeNoir engage in an informational discussion on why the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted Black and brown communities, and the importance of receiving the COVID vaccinations.

Next, Dr. LeNoir is accompanied by Dr. Kanika Harris, a health equity strategist, birth justice advocate and expert on maternal health from the Black Women’s Health Imperative, as they explore a number of topics related to the health of Black women in America. The Black Women’s Health Imperative is dedicated to fighting for the health equality of Black women, and this episode of Black Doctors Speak will give insight into the issues being faced by Black women, including COVID-19, maternal health and more!

This episode also features Kineta Sealey, Esq. who works as the policy counsel for the Black Women’s Health Imperative. She shares some details with Dr. LeNoir about legislation which would advocate for and protect Black women’s health, and discusses how things such as climate change can exacerbate inequality in health outcomes.

This discussion on what the Asthma and Allergy provides for patients with these problems. No one should be sick with asthma. In addition, they have been working on the issue of COVID in underserved communities and with a church based asthma program called NOT ONE MORE LIFE..founded by Dr. Leroy Graham...a template on how Black Churches can impact the asthma crisis in the African American community.

Dr. Michael LeNoir is joined by Tonya Winders is on the Board of Directors of the American Respiratory Care Foundation and is the current president of the Global Allergy & Airways Patient Platform representing more than 50 respiratory patient organizations throughout the world.

Dr. Michael LeNoir and Ellis Dean from BlackDoctor.org discuss the  impact of racism on the health of African Americans. What is unique about this discussion is how racism affects the health of all people in this society.

If you’re a Human Service Worker, caregiver, or you work with at-risk populations as a counselor, social worker, parole officer, medical or mental health professional, or in any of the dozens of helping professions, Surviving Compassion Fatigue: Help for those who help others is for you. You will learn about one woman’s physical and emotional descent due to years of self-neglect. You will also learn about her recovery as well as how to serve and care for others without forgetting to take care of yourself.This book is full of practical wisdom and advice for those in the helping professions and caregivers. It tells Beverly’s story, as well as the stories of others who have neglected their own self-care. But more than that, it educates those in the helping professions and in caregiver roles about the importance of strategies for consistent self-care. Find out how you may be putting yourself at risk and learn skills, techniques and strategies to restore and maintain self regulation, physical and emotional wellness and inner calm while still caring for those in need. You owe it to yourself.

Diabetes impacts every 1-in-10 people and prediabetes impacts every 1-in-3, with rates being among the highest for African Americans. Coupled with the fact that diabetes dramatically increases your chances of having a stroke or heart attack, and is a contributing factor to many other health issues, it’s easy to see why we must take this seriously. So, what can we do to avoid falling victim to this crippling disease?  

Dr. LeNoir is joined by Dr. Lenore Coleman, a Pharmacist and Founder of Healing Our Village, as they offer you the tools you need to prevent and manage diabetes.

This year has been an endless cycle of adjusting to “new normals”. Whether it’s having to shelter-in-place, being displaced from a job, losing a loved one, or the strain of not being able to be around family and friends, the impact this year has had on the mental health of people is not to be taken lightly. So, how do we cope during this unprecedented pandemic? 

Dr. LeNoir is joined by Dr. Leesha Ellis-Cox, a Board Certified Child, Adolescent, & Adult Psychiatrist, and Wellness Strategist, as they offer you the tools you need to assess and manage your mental health during these trying times. 

For helpful resources, including a self-help calendar, please go to: https://mailchi.mp/aawellnessproject/selfcare-calendar

Sports are an international commonality, transcending culture, class, and creed. From playing out in the yard, to school teams and travel leagues, more and more children are enjoying active extracurricular activities. But, as the drive to be the best is fueling “pro-like” programs in youth leagues, are we really doing what’s best for our children's health? 

Dr. LeNoir is joined by Dr. Warren Strudwick, an Orthopedic and Sports Specialist and former team physician for the Oakland Raiders, as they look at the impact that playing sports has on young people.  

Later in the program, Dr. Rahn Kennedy Bailey, an author, and Chief Medical Officer of The Kedren Community Health Center drops by to discuss his new book: Intimate Partner Violence.

African American culture and healthcare have always seemed to be conflicting terms. We’ve seen our communities have their insurance coverage stripped away, implicit-biases in primary physician care, and healthcare companies continue to raise their prices－with the burden being felt most by communities of color. But, with a new administration that is promising action, have we finally reached the turning point? 

Dr. LeNoir is joined by Dr. Mark Smith, a board-certified Internist and Former President & Chief Executive Officer Alumnus of the California Health Care Foundation, as they explore what the future of healthcare looks like for our people.

With everything that has been happening in our country and our lives, it has been easy for many to overlook the importance of health and wellness. While we all feel like we are trying to balance a multitude of tasks and responsibilities, we must all take a moment and ask: How do we take better care of ourselves? 

Dr. LeNoir is joined by Jamil Frazier, an author, speaker, and CEO of Think Life is Different, as they offer you life-changing health and wellness tips, as well as the tools you need to get motivated. 

For a $50 discount on Health and Wellness coaching visit: https://mailchi.mp/cb4d5b4f93e6/monique-optavia

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Although this can impact anyone, Black women have among the highest rates of miscarriage and baby loss. While socio-economic issues, implicit bias, and health equity are major factors, the real question is: How do we heal once it has happened?  

Dr. LeNoir is joined by Dr. Chanda Nicole Holsey, a Health Services Consultant and Founder of Healthy Aims for Little Ones and Families, as they take you through their personal experiences and the tools they used to cope. 

For a downloadable resource on pregnancy loss and infant loss visit www.aawellnessproject.org

Your health is your most important asset and it needs to be protected. However, many of us go into the healthcare system ill-equipped for the potential challenges and hurdles that can be faced. So, how do you take charge of your health?     

Dr. LeNoir is joined by Dr. Glenda F. Newell, a Board Certified physician in Internal Medicine, and co-author of the book, “Focus on Your Best Health: Smart Guide to the Health Care You Deserve,” as they give you the tools you need to succeed.

Your feet are your body’s natural form of transportation but, much like a car, they require the right features and maintenance to keep them running smoothly. As a majority of people deal with some type of foot problem, what steps can be taken to not only treat but also prevent many of the more common ones?   

Dr. LeNoir is joined by Dr. Michael DiGiacomo, a Podiatrist and a former pro sports consultant, as they offer can’t miss information to keep you on your feet and healthy!

At a time where racial, social, and political divides are sweeping our country, a bastion of hope is just 33 days away: Election Day. African Americans are considered one of the most important voting groups, yet it’s been easy to feel like the system hasn’t always done right by us. So why should we show up and what’s on the ballot for our community?  

Dr. LeNoir is joined by Dr. Oliver Brooks, a past President of the National Medical Association, as they examine the potential impact of the upcoming election on our health and our people.

Air is necessary for life, but social, economic, and racial factors impact not only the quality of the air we breathe but also our bodies’ ability to do so. As African Americans and other people of color are often more susceptible to diseases that limit our ability to breathe properly, how is it possible for our community to ever “take a deep breath,” especially given our current health crisis?  

Dr. Lenoir is joined by Dr. LeRoy Graham, a Pediatric Pulmonary Specialist and Founder of Not One More Life as they breakdown asthma and its relation to our current pandemic. 

You become a doctor because you have an unwavering desire to help and heal. You go through years of schooling, work long hours, and take late-night emergency calls﹣all with the intention of saving others. But, what happens when the doctor becomes the one that suddenly needs treatment? 

Dr. Lenoir is joined by Dr. Mack Roach III, a Professor of Radiation Oncology and Urology at the University of California San Francisco, and Urology Specialist Dr. Dawud O. Lankford as they give us a behind the scenes look at his diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. 

Becoming a Doctor is hard enough, but trying to do it while Black is a different experience entirely. As the future of our health equity hinges on putting more Black Doctors into the workforce, how do they navigate this challenging, yet necessary, path?

Dr. LeNoir is joined by Jenay Powell, a fourth-year medical student, and CEO of The White Coats Black Doctors Foundation, as well as Teneshia Patton, a third-year medical student, and the Associate Director of WCBD as they take us through their journey to physicianhood. 

Food is something that unites us, it brings us together with our families, and represents a major part of our culture. But, access to quality ingredients has been hard for our people to come by. With prices continuing to rise and the health gap worsening, how do we balance our diet, while also balancing our budget? 

Dr. LeNoir is joined by celebrity Chef Nikki Shaw, as they dive into the culture behind our food choices, the small adjustments that we all can make, and how they impact our overall health. 

With misinformation at an all-time high and representation mattering more than ever, it is imperative that we craft and control our own narratives--particularly around the health and wellness of our people. So, how do we build platforms that are truly for us, by us? 

Dr. LeNoir is joined by Reginald “Reggie” Ware, Founder and CEO of BlackDoctor.org as they explore their path to building advocacy initiatives and the future of the healthcare media industry. 

The history of Black people in this country is no great secret. While we know that slavery was never truly abolished－just renamed and reformed through Jim Crow, systemic racism, and oppression－are the health issues we face today a direct result of our slave descendency?

Dr. LeNoir is joined by Dr. Rodney Hood, Internal Medicine Specialist, and the 101st President of the National Medical Association as they talk through a past that still has lingering effects and provide action steps for a better future.