No Longer Silent: Patient Access Stories

Getting Loud With Dr. Kasandra

In this insightful episode, Dr. Kasandra White, an obstetrician-gynecologist, discusses the critical issues surrounding healthcare access and the patient experience, particularly for Black women. She shares her personal and professional perspectives on the systemic challenges within the healthcare system, emphasizing the importance of trauma-informed care and the need for empathy and individualized attention in patient interactions.
Dr. White also highlights the legislative efforts to protect healthcare workers from discrimination and retaliation, and the broader implications for patient care. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding and improving the healthcare experience for marginalized communities.
 

Getting Loud With Rev. Tawana Angela Davis, PhD

Reverend Tawana Angela Davis, PhD shares her eight-year journey battling metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer. Diagnosed in 2016, she underwent extensive treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery, and a clinical trial for immunotherapy, which significantly reduced her cancer. Throughout her journey, she emphasized the importance of community support, self-advocacy, and maintaining faith. She also highlighted the systemic challenges Black women face in healthcare and urged politicians to prioritize equitable access to care. Her story is one of resilience, self-love, and the power of collective support.

Introducing No Longer Silent

Rev. Dr. Tammie Denyse, a 19-year breast cancer "overcomer," shares her powerful story advocating for timely, equitable healthcare access. As a Black woman who defied her 5-year survival odds, she illuminates the harsh realities many patients face due to utilization management barriers imposed by health plans. 
Protocols like step therapy prevent cancer patients from accessing medications recommended by their doctors, causing harmful delays and disrupting continuity of care. While clinically proven treatments exist, these access issues disproportionately impact communities of color and the elderly.
Through the "No Longer Silent" campaign, Rev. Dr. Denyse amplifies the voices of real patients navigating the murky waters of the healthcare system. Their harrowing stories expose the dire consequences of delayed care and suboptimal treatment, calling for reform to allow patients and physicians to choose the best treatment plans.