Your GPS Doc

I am super excited to be one of the featured speakers for the Immune Deficiency Foundation's 2024 PI (Primary Immunodeficiency) Conference in Chicago! I was asked to give a presentation that provides insight into the challenges doctors face. It will be one of the most transparent talks I've ever given. I won't give away the punch line, but a hint can be found in my 2019 TEDx talk. (https://lnkd.in/dUeHF6j) Thank you to Jorey Berry, Tammy Black, and Megan Messick for the opportunity. I look forward to building bridges that have the strength to last a lifetime.

I am looking forward to moderating this dynamic panel at the Maryland Hospital Association's annual meeting next month! Crisis- a stage in a sequence of events at which the trend of all future events, especially for better or for worse, is determined; turning point; a condition of instability or danger, leading to a decisive change. I really appreciate the last part of the definition because in order to improve outcomes for women and birthing people and eliminate inequities for people of color and other marginalized groups, we must CHANGE what we are doing. If you work in or for a Maryland hospital or healthcare organization (or the surrounding areas), I'd love for you to join us for what I'm sure will be a riveting discussion. To register: https://lnkd.in/ewRaA_yd Shawnee Benton-Gibson, LMSW, FDC Joia Crear-Perry, MD Monica Brown Jones

I am looking forward to attending this webinar (starting now!) hosted by National Patient Advocate Foundation on eliminating bias. As a health equity consultant and professional speaker, I spend a LOT of time expanding my education and knowledge. I am very intentional about exposing myself to information that will broaden my viewpoint so that I can be the best at what I do and serve my clients at my highest capacity. I think you can still register: https://lnkd.in/eFpiRWp2 To learn more about what I do: www.yourgpsdoc.com

It’s National Small Business Week (4/28-5/4)!! Hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), this week we celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. 👏🏾 Transitioning from being a pediatrician (a career I loved and cherished) to the owner of Your GPS Doc has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I remain in awe of the opportunities I have had to improve health care, healthcare experiences, health literacy, health advocacy, and health equity over the last 7 years. 🤗 I am thankful for my ever-growing network of entrepreneur friends who teach, inspire, share, uplift, and empower me. 💪🏾 If your healthcare organization is looking for a dynamic speaker to present to your Board, leadership team, physicians, staff, or Employee Resource Group, I’d love to talk with you. (https://lnkd.in/gCX3S_cW) Topics include caregiving, navigating the healthcare system, medical gaslighting, doctoring while Black, implicit bias, and the root causes of health inequities. 🎤 Happy National Small Business Week to all of my fellow small business owners! 🎉 #SmallBusinessWeek #smallbusinessowner #entrepreneur #yourgpsdoc #thegpsdoc #Blackownedbusiness #womanownedbusiness #physicianentrepreneur #TEDxSpeaker

April 11-17 is Black Maternal Health Week. Founded by Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc. (BMMA), this 7th annual observance is a week of awareness, activism, and community-building aimed at amplifying the voices of Black Mamas, bringing visibility to Black-led maternal health initiatives, and centering the values and traditions of the reproductive and birth justice movements. As a Black mama, I wish we didn't need observances to bring awareness to the stark and preventable inequities we face in the healthcare system. But because our maternal mortality rate continues to be almost 3x higher than White women (even when controlling for education, income, health insurance and socioeconomic status), our maternal morbidity rate is 2x higher than White women, and there are laws, policies, practices, and providers who threaten our health and safety every day, this week is necessary. I encourage you to visit the website (https://lnkd.in/eHHpzq3T) to learn more about #BMHW24 and to find ways to be involved. #BlackMaternalHealthWeek #maternalhealthequity #healthequity

Having the opportunity to draw from my personal and professional experiences in a way that allows me to show up authentically is a true blessing. Today, I participated in a panel discussion for Kidney Action Week sponsored by the American Kidney Fund, along with fellow family caregivers, Debra Cook and Sachet Walker. The panel was moderated by the talented Elle Lee, a licensed clinical social worker who is also a kidney patient and transplant recipient. The theme that emerged throughout the entire panel discussion was the importance of ADVOCACY. Care partners- you are a vital member of your loved one's medical team. Be sure to leverage your knowledge, expertise and authority in a way that builds bridges with medical professionals. You are often the glue that keeps everything together. You can listen here: https://lnkd.in/gsgVsXki #carepartners #familycaregivers #kidneydisease #kidneyactionweek

There's nothing quite like coming home. Last week I had the distinct honor and pleasure of delivering my signature talk, Dismantling Structural Racism and Bias in Healthcare, to leaders at the University of Maryland Medical Center. During my time as a medical student at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (over 25 years ago!) I attended many lectures in the Shock Trauma Auditorium. To walk down the long flight of stairs and take my position behind the podium was surreal. From the two gentlemen who engaged in friendly conversation at the valet stand (one asked me what has been the most difficult part of my journey to becoming a physician) to the warm greetings from staff (who did not know me) as I walked through the hospital to the auditorium, I was reminded of how I was nurtured in this environment. I recalled how persons working in the hospital cafeteria would tell me how proud they were and to keep up the good work. I remembered how Dean DONALD WILSON MD, Hermione Hicks, and others made sure my classmates and I knew that we mattered and were destined to succeed. When asked about my feelings regarding legislation to end affirmative action, I shared how I was the recipient of an $80,000 scholarship to help cover my medical school tuition. This scholarship was for underrepresented minorities. I shared that I was a high-achieving, high-performing, highly qualified student who received monetary assistance as part of programs to dismantle systems that cause Black and Brown and other students with historically marginalized identities to be underrepresented in medicine in the first place. A very special thanks to Dana D. Farrakhan, DrPH, MHS, FACHE, Christine Crabbs and the leadership and members of the Equity Diversity & Inclusion Council for inviting me and for making me feel so very welcome. I look forward to future opportunities to partner.

Caring for my late father was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done. It was also one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever done. 💕 It deepened my connection to my dad. It increased my compassion for aging and elderly individuals. It provided a clear view of the brokenness of our healthcare system and how patients and family caregivers, especially those with marginalized identities, are often ignored and dismissed. It birthed a new business and a new career!! 🙌🏾🎉 On this National Caregivers Day, celebrated on the 3rd Friday in February, I honor and uplift family caregivers. I see you. I know it’s hard. I know it can be thankless. You may be doing it all alone. You are amazing. THANK YOU for all that you do!! 👏🏾👏🏾❤️❤️ Also, thank you to all of the professional caregivers who prioritize the needs of their patients in spite of a system designed to fail them. 💪🏾 #familycaregiver #nationalcaregiversday #yourgpsdoc

Today is Groundhog Day. If you are into legendary folklore, it’s the day that Punxsutawney Phil either sees his shadow or doesn’t, determining whether we will have an early spring or 6 additional weeks of winter. In case you missed it, he did not see his shadow! There’s also a great movie by the same title starring Bill Murray in which his character, a TV weatherman, relives the same day over and over after covering the main event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. What does any of this have to do with health care and health equity? One of the most frustrating things for those of us who are truly committed to improving care for marginalized groups is that outcomes are not getting better. In fact, in many cases, the data shows outcomes are getting worse. So here’s my question- are we doing the same thing over and over again and wondering why we are not getting different results? Are we leveraging the knowledge and expertise of the communities we serve? Are we exploring solutions that may take longer and require a larger financial investment, but will ultimately create the systems necessary to elevate our policies and practices? If you’re interested in support and strategy to think outside of the box as you implement innovative ideas in your health equity journey, let’s chat! My company, Your GPS Doc, also offers presentations and workshops, as the transformation starts on the inside of your organization. #healthequity #healthequityconsulting #physicianconsultant #healthadvocate #groundhogday #yourgpsdoc