No Longer Silent: Patient Access Stories

Getting Loud With Rev. Carolyn Habersham

In the last episode of No Longer Silent: Patient Access Stories, Reverend Carolyn Habersham, affectionately known as Mother Carolyn, shares her harrowing journey through multiple cancer diagnoses and her fight for equitable healthcare. Diagnosed with cervical cancer in 1988, breast cancer in 1998, and upper palate cancer in 2002, Mother Carolyn recounts the systemic barriers she faced, including racism and discrimination, as a Black woman without health insurance. Despite these challenges, she persevered, advocating fiercely for herself and others in similar situations.
Mother Carolyn's story is not just one of survival but of resilience and advocacy. She discusses the emotional and physical toll of her experiences, the critical role of allies within the healthcare system, and the ongoing fight for dignity and respect in medical treatment. Her journey also led her to a deeper understanding of her faith, transforming her theological perspective and inspiring her to become a healthcare advocate.

Getting Loud With Leo Hickman

In this enlightening episode of the No Longer Silent podcast, Leo Hickman, a veteran and advocate for holistic health, discusses the complexities of healthcare access in America. Leo shares his personal experiences navigating the healthcare system as a veteran and the challenges faced with accessing timely care. He delves into the concept of "step therapy" and how it impacts treatment for non-emergency conditions.
Leo also introduces us to his innovative approach to healthcare through the creation of a co-op network of practitioners that focuses on holistic and preventative medicine. He emphasizes the importance of community support and mental health services, which have become integral parts of his practice since the COVID-19 pandemic. Leo's work is deeply rooted in his expertise in biomedical engineering technology and his passion for plant medicine.
***HEALTHCARE FOR VETERANS IS MULTIFACETED. WHILE VETERANS FACE SIMILAR CHALLENGES AS OTHER AMERICANS, THEIR WAIT TIMES TO SCHEDULE A DOCTOR’S APPOINTMENT OR TO SEE A SPECIALIST AT TIMES CAN TAKE TWICE AS LONG. FOR VETERANS WHO HAVE PRIVATE INSURANCE, THEIR CHALLENGES ARE EVEN GREATER.

Getting Loud With Sharon Washington

In this emotionally charged episode of "No Longer Silent," Sharon Washington Barnes shares a deeply personal and tragic story about her brother, Shawn, who lost his life due to what she believes was systemic racism and medical negligence. Sharon recounts Shawn's harrowing experience with multiple healthcare facilities that failed to provide adequate care, ultimately leading to his untimely death at the age of 29. Despite the profound loss, Sharon has become a fierce advocate for healthcare reform, using her brother's story to push for legislative changes and to support other families facing similar injustices.
The episode delves into the systemic issues within the healthcare system, particularly how they affect Black and Brown communities. Sharon discusses her involvement with the Fairness for Patients Act, which seeks to dismantle predatory laws that limit compensation for medical negligence cases. She also highlights the importance of advocacy and education, sharing resources like the Change for Shawn toolkit, which empowers individuals to navigate healthcare systems and advocate for themselves and their loved ones.

Getting Loud With Marielle Vaughn-Hickman

In this powerful episode, Marielle Vaughn-Hickman, a senior mental health counselor for Sacramento County, shares her personal experiences navigating healthcare access issues, particularly in relation to menopause and chronic migraines. Marielle discusses the challenges she faced with step therapy and the often dismissive attitudes of healthcare providers, which left her feeling unheard and unsupported. Despite dealing with debilitating symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and severe migraines, she found that many doctors failed to explore alternative treatments or adequately address her concerns. Marielle emphasizes the importance of being bold and advocating for oneself in medical settings, highlighting her journey from feeling neglected to finding a physician who truly listened and took her symptoms seriously.

Getting Loud With Regina Smith

In this episode, Regina Smith shares her journey of overcoming systemic barriers and personal trauma to become a beacon of hope and resilience. The conversation delves into Regina's early life, marked by the loss of her mother and the challenges of growing up in a tumultuous environment. Regina discusses the profound impact of her faith and the pivotal moments that shaped her relationship with God, including a life-changing promise made during a traumatic event in her childhood.
Regina also reflects on her professional journey, highlighting her work as a social worker and her passion for crisis management. She candidly discusses the systemic failures she has encountered, both in her own education and in the healthcare system, particularly in the care of her mother, who struggled with addiction and mental health issues. Regina's story is one of perseverance, as she navigates these challenges while pursuing a PhD in social work, driven by a desire to effect change from within the system.
 

Getting Loud With Rosemary Blashill

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Rosemary Blashill, her daughter Lisa Peacock, and her husband Jim. Rosemary, a retired nurse with over 50 years of service, shares the challenges she faces after losing her insurance and transitioning to a Medicare Advantage plan, which has resulted in exorbitant out-of-pocket costs for essential medications. Lisa, also a nurse, provides insight into the systemic issues that prevent patients like her mother from receiving necessary treatments. The conversation highlights the emotional and financial toll of inadequate healthcare policies and the power of family advocacy. 

Getting Loud With Dr. Le Ondra Clark Harvey

In this vulnerable episode, Dr. Le Ondra Clark Harvey shares her deeply personal journey with breast cancer, from the initial shock and sadness to finding strength and purpose in spreading awareness. She recounts how she used humor and social media to cope, wearing funny t-shirts post-surgery to spark conversations. Dr. Clark Harvey also delves into the emotional challenges, including her struggles with her scars and feelings of guilt for not undergoing chemotherapy or radiation like her mother and aunt. Through raw photography and public sharing, she found healing and aimed to break the stigma around breast cancer, especially within the African-American community. 
 
Editors Note: Dr. Clark Harvey is a psychologist, not a psychiatrist as stated in the intro. 

Getting Loud With Jess Isomoto

In this inspiring episode, Jess Isomoto, a stage 3 breast cancer survivor, shares her journey from diagnosis to advocacy. Diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in February 2020, Jess discusses the challenges she faced accessing care, especially as an Asian American woman during the COVID-19 pandemic. She highlights the importance of patient advocacy, the need for better representation and support for communities of color, and the systemic issues in healthcare that often leave patients feeling unseen and unheard. Jess's story is a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength required to navigate cancer and the critical need for equity in healthcare.

Getting Loud With Rev. Tammie Denyse, PhD.

In this illuminating episode, Reverend Tammie Denyse, a breast cancer survivor, ordained minister, tireless advocate for Black women's health, and co-founder of Carrie's TOUCH, shares her story of dedicating nearly two decades to addressing the alarming 41% higher mortality rate for Black women with breast cancer compared to white women.
We explore Reverend Tammie's inspiring journey from diagnosis to advocacy and learn about groundbreaking initiatives like Project SOAR (Speaking Our African American Realities). She also discusses the unique challenges Black women face in healthcare, the importance of culturally sensitive support, and how Carrie's TOUCH is working to empower patients through education, advocacy, and research.

Getting Loud With Tonya Benefield

In this eye-opening episode, Tonya Benefield shares her challenging journey to diagnosis and treatment. Tonya faced numerous obstacles, including being initially told she was too young for a mammogram, experiencing multiple appointment cancellations and referral issues, and dealing with insensitive medical staff. She highlights the critical support she received from Carrie's TOUCH, which helped her navigate the complex healthcare system.
Tonya also speaks on the emotional and physical toll of her experience, including unexpected surgical outcomes and the lasting impact on her self-image. Finally, Tonya emphasizes the need for more patient advocates, culturally competent care, and ongoing support for cancer patients beyond their initial treatment.