In this episode, Dr. Kristi Kirschner, a physician, educator, and leader in disability-inclusive healthcare, whose career began the same year as the Americans with Disabilities Act became law shares that even more than 30 years later, the promise of that moment still feels unfulfilled. Healthcare continues to lag behind other systems in accessibility and widespread ableism prevents patients from receiving the care they deserve.

Dr. Kirschner shares a bold vision for change rooted in education, partnership, and reimagining the role of healthcare itself. From training the next generation of clinicians to building a lifespan disability clinic which elevates the voices of people with lived experience, this episode explores what it takes to move from compliance to true inclusion. The University of Illinois Health Lifespan Disability Clinic, offers comprehensive, disability-inclusive primary care for both children and adults with a wide range of physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities, including complex, multifaceted conditions.

Listen to witness the power of reframing because disability is not a limitation, it is a lens for innovation, creativity, and a more humane, interconnected world. This is a conversation about dignity, design, and the future of care, and why getting it right matters for all of us.

Learn more about the UI Health Lifespan Disability Clinic https://hospital.uillinois.edu/primary-and-specialty-care/disability-inclusive-care

Explore their website to access their resources: https://adih.uic.edu/

• (00:00:03) - Coming soon: Disability in the World
• (00:00:48) - Advocates in Action: Equity and Inclusion in Healthcare
• (00:07:11) - The role of health professionals with disabilities
• (00:16:18) - The Disability Inclusive Health Care
• (00:24:39) - Living with Disabilities in 2026
• (00:34:29) - Advocates in Action: Week 3

In this episode, Dr. Ann Cheney shares about Unidas por Salud, a community–academic partnership made up of community members, students, and academics working together to advance health equity in underserved communities. This women-led group is transforming care in the Eastern Coachella Valley, where environmental hazards and structural inequity are reducing the quality of health outcomes.

Through community-based participatory research, student-led clinics, culturally rooted care, and innovative programs like a medical Spanish curriculum and ancestral nutrition initiatives, this team reveals what happens when research is done in partnership with communities, not on them.

We also explore the hard decisions behind ethical leadership, what it means to walk away from funding when trust is compromised, how to share power authentically, and why being an “outsider” requires humility, accountability, and invitation. In the face of policy shifts, fear-driven public health crises, and real-time community needs, you’ll hear a moving example of what responsive care looks like when systems fall short.

Listen to this conversation about hope found in students who carry the mission forward, in communities who open their doors, and in a model of care that refuses to leave anyone behind.

Explore their website to learn more about their work: https://www.unidasporsalud.com

• (00:00:03) - Advocates in Action: When Equity and Inclusion in Health
• (00:01:35) - Community based participatory research in the Coachella Valley
• (00:12:32) - The BLAMOS Clinic in the Coachella Valley
• (00:15:00) - Mentees of the Medical Student Program
• (00:17:23) - The role of shared leadership in science
• (00:24:48) - Advocates in Action: The Coachella Valley Free Clinic

Dr. Philip M. Alberti joins host Ashley D. Freeman to explore how we can “hold the line” and defend equity in healthcare—while challenging the false narrative that some communities must lose for others to thrive. Drawing from his recent Milbank Quarterly article “Health Equity Benefits All Communities—Including White Ones,” Dr. Alberti unpacks how language, measurement, storytelling, and belonging can help reframe health equity as a universal good. He shares practical ways to bridge divides, build cross-racial coalitions, and strengthen our collective “civic muscle” to drive long-term change from the ground up. With honesty, insight, and hope, Dr. Alberti reminds us that health equity is not a zero-sum game—it’s about creating fair and just opportunities for everyone, and it begins with listening, empathy, and local action. This episode will leave you inspired to see yourself as part of the movement for health justice.

Ever wonder why “equity” can mean so many different things—and why getting it right matters so much? In this episode, we dive into the power of defining equity clearly and why the words we use shape real-world solutions in health and social systems. Listen as Reginald Tucker-Seeley breaks down how organizations can align their values with actions, build consensus, and use storytelling to bring data and disparities to life in ways everyone can understand. We also explore the challenges we still face, from deeply rooted systemic disparities to limited funding, and why making lasting change takes both patience and persistence. Whether you’re new to health equity or have been working in the space for years, this conversation offers practical insights and inspiring reminders of how clarity, reflection, and intention can move us closer to fairness for all.

Learn more about Health Equity Strategies & Solutions

What happens when passion meets purpose in the face of injustice?

When the COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep cracks in our healthcare system, Dr. LaShyra “Lash” Nolen didn’t wait for someone else to fix them—she stepped up. As vaccine rollouts began, she saw firsthand how the needs of marginalized communities were being ignored. In response, she launched the We Got Us Project—a revolutionary health justice initiative designed to bridge the divide between medicine and the people it serves.

In this powerful episode, Dr. Nolen shares the origin story of We Got Us, a grassroots coalition committed to combating racism in our communities through increasing access to equitable healthcare, community-centered health education, and direct healing. Listen to hear how the power of audacity—passed down from her mother and grandmother has fueled every step of her journey. Tune in to hear how one woman’s determination is transforming communities, rebuilding trust, and changing the face of public health.

This season is brought to you as a collaboration between Patient Advocate Foundation and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center at Virginia Commonwealth University, a project made possible in part by support from the Danaher Foundation.

Check Out the We Got Us Project.

What turns someone into a passionate healthcare advocate? For many, it’s personal experience—facing their own health struggles, losing a loved one, or confronting glaring health inequities. After the heart-wrenching loss of her husband, Chadwick Boseman, Simone Ledward-Boseman became a fierce advocate for health awareness. As a caregiver to Chadwick during his battle with colorectal cancer, Simone not only gained invaluable insights into patient care but also learned the importance of being proactive with health and navigating the healthcare system.

In this powerful conversation, Simone reflects on her journey—how Chadwick’s resilience inspired her and how, through caregiving, she discovered her own strength. Her mission now? To empower others to take charge of their health and advocate for themselves with the same courage and determination she learned along the way.

This season is made possible through a collaboration between the Patient Advocate Foundation and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center at Virginia Commonwealth University, with generous support from the Danaher Foundation.

Check Out the Chadwick Boseman Foundation for the Arts.

Redefining Care: Kathleen Noonan on Transforming Health Systems

In the U.S., our healthcare system often treats problems in isolation—healthcare, housing, education, and more are handled separately, leaving many with complex needs without coordinated care. But what if there was a way to break down these silos? Complex care aims to change that by improving health and well-being for people with multiple needs, reshaping how care is delivered at every level—from individual to community to system-wide.

Join Kathleen Noonan, JD, President & CEO of the Camden Coalition, as she reveals how the organization is pioneering a multidisciplinary, community-based approach to care. Hear about the power of community partnerships, how they’ve built a model that fosters trust and collaboration, and the essential ingredients for forming meaningful, lasting relationships that transform care.

This season is made possible through a collaboration between the Patient Advocate Foundation and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center at Virginia Commonwealth University, with generous support from the Danaher Foundation.

Check Out Camden Coalition's Mission

Learn more about the importance of complex care.

Explore Camden Coalition's Resources.

Transforming Communities, One Day at a Time: Clovia “Ms. Community Clo” Lawrence on Building Health Justice

Health justice is more than just a concept—it's a powerful, community-led movement that’s all about building power and creating transformative change from the ground up. And at the heart of this movement is Clovia “Ms. Community Clo” Lawrence, a relentless advocate for her community in Richmond, Virginia.

In this inspiring conversation, Ms. Community Clo shares the incredible work she’s doing to foster multidisciplinary partnerships that have profoundly impacted lives in her community. Her blueprint for success is refreshingly simple yet deeply impactful: Serve with heart, leverage your strengths, and surround yourself with a dedicated team that shares your mission. By living her motto—“Every day I wake up, I make an impact”—she’s built a legacy of empowerment, compassion, and community-driven change.

Ms. Community Clo has created a ripple effect of transformation by organizing initiatives that address health inequities and bring vital resources directly to those who need them most. Whether it’s health education, advocacy, or community wellness, her work demonstrates how powerful it is when individuals come together to change the landscape of care and support.

In this episode, you’ll hear firsthand how Clovia’s commitment to service and her ability to build meaningful partnerships are helping to shape a brighter future for those around her. Her journey is a reminder that no matter the scale, every action can make a difference when driven by purpose and passion.

This season is brought to you as a collaboration between the Patient Advocate Foundation and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center at Virginia Commonwealth University, with invaluable support from the Danaher Foundation.