Every January, we tell ourselves this is the year — new goals, new habits, new routines. And yet, for many people, that motivation quickly turns into frustration and the feeling of having failed.

In this solo episode of The Medical Collective, Dr. Keisha Davis explores why so many people feel stuck in a cycle of starting over when it comes to their health. Drawing on her experience as both a physician and a certified personal trainer, she explains why this pattern isn't about laziness or lack of willpower — but about how health goals are often framed.

Dr. Davis breaks down the all-or-nothing mindset, the pressure of time-bound goals, and why unrealistic or overly restrictive plans tend to fail. She shares reflections from patients and clients who feel defeated when life intervenes, and offers a more realistic, sustainable approach to health that allows for flexibility without guilt.

This episode reframes health as a long-term process built on consistency rather than perfection, emphasizing how small, repeatable changes compound over time and play a critical role in chronic disease prevention and longevity.

Key Topics Discussed
- Why many people feel stuck in cycles of starting over
- The all-or-nothing mindset and time-bound health goals
- Why most resolutions fail and what the data actually shows
- How unrealistic and restrictive plans undermine consistency
- Personal reflections from patients and fitness clients
- Why small changes compound over time
- Consistency as the foundation of chronic disease prevention
- Rethinking resolutions using a more flexible framework
- Why sustainable habits matter for longevity and overall health

Resources & References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

https://www.cdc.gov

American Heart Association – Lifestyle & Prevention:

https://www.heart.org

National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Physical Activity & Health:

https://www.nih.gov

Connect With Us
Dr. Keisha Davis, MD
https://drkeishadavis.komi.io

The Medical Collective
https://www.medical-collective.net

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My Enduring Faith in Science

When most people hear HPV, they think cervical cancer. But HPV is the most well-
established virus we know that directly causes cancer, and its impact goes far beyond the
cervix.

In this solo episode of The Medical Collective, Dr. Keisha Davis—triple board-certified
pathologist and physician—breaks down what HPV actually is, how it causes cancer, and
why prevention efforts matter now more than ever. Drawing from real-world pathology
experience, this episode explains how HPV affects both women and men, the role of
dysplasia and early detection, and the cancers that are often overlooked in public
conversations.

Dr. Davis also addresses stigma around HPV-related cancers, including anal and head and
neck cancers, discusses the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine, and explains the difference
between HPV testing and comprehensive medical care—especially for high-risk individuals.

Key Topics Discussed

- What HPV is and why it is the leading virus known to directly cause cancer
- The percentage of cancers linked to HPV, including cervical, anal, penile, vaginal, and head
and neck cancers
- Low-risk vs high-risk HPV and what dysplasia means
- How pathologists detect HPV and precancerous changes
- The role of squamous mucosa in HPV-related cancers
- Anal cancer, stigma, and who may benefit from anal Pap screening
- HPV in men and why prevention matters for everyone
- Head and neck cancers and rising HPV-related trends
- HPV vaccine effectiveness, dosing, and current public health concerns
- At-home HPV testing vs seeing a physician
- Why prevention and early detection save lives

Key Facts Mentioned

- Approximately 99% of cervical cancers are HPV-related
- Approximately 90% of anal cancers are HPV-related
- Approximately 70% of oropharyngeal (head and neck) cancers are HPV-related

- Approximately 60% of penile cancers are HPV-related
- Approximately 70% of vaginal cancers are HPV-related
- The HPV vaccine is approximately 90% effective at preventing HPV-related cancers when
given before exposure

Resources and References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – HPV and Cancer:
https://www.cdc.gov/hpv

National Cancer Institute – HPV and Cancer:

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/infectious-agents/hpv-fact-sheet

American Cancer Society – HPV-Related Cancers:

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/infectious-agents/hpv.html

Connect With Us

Dr. Keisha Davis, MD
https://drkeishadavis.komi.io

The Medical Collective
https://www.medical-collective.com

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The Autopsy Initiative, created under Colin Kaepernick's Know Your Rights Camp, provides free, independent autopsies for families seeking truth and transparency after sudden, unexpected, or unclear deaths. In this episode of The Medical Collective, Dr. Keisha Davis is joined by attorney Nicole Martin, Legal Program Director for the Autopsy Initiative, to discuss why these services are needed, the gaps in the medicolegal death investigation system, and how independent autopsies can help families navigate grief, accountability, and justice.

Dr. Davis is joined in conversation by **Dr. Sharon Smith**, an obstetrician-gynecologist, as they explore the public health, legal, and ethical implications of death investigations, including deaths occurring in custody and the importance of independent forensic review.

Key Topics Discussed
- The mission and purpose of the Autopsy Initiative
- Why independent autopsies are necessary for families seeking answers
- Systemic gaps in medicolegal death investigations
- Observed discrepancies discussed at a high level without naming cases
- Upcoming goals and national expansion efforts
- Relevant data points highlighting the scope of the Initiative's work
- Partnerships and the role of forensic pathologists
- Transparency concerns surrounding deaths in ICE custody
- True/False myth-busting around autopsies and family legal rights

Resources & References
Know Your Rights Camp — Autopsy Initiative: https://www.knowyourrightscamp.org/autopsyinitiative
Know Your Rights Camp (Main Site): https://www.knowyourrightscamp.com
National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME): https://www.thename.org
CDC – Public Health Data on Death in Custody: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs

Connect With Us
Dr. Keisha Davis, MD
https://drkeishadavis.komi.io

Dr. Sharon Smith, MD
https://sharonsmithmd.com/

The Medical Collective
https://www.medical-collective.net

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In this timely and wide-ranging episode of The Medical Collective, Dr. Keisha Davis is joined by Congresswoman Haley Stevens, U.S. Representative from Michigan, to discuss the urgent state of public health in the United States, with a particular focus on the Articles of Impeachment related to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The conversation centers on growing threats to the vaccine infrastructure, rising measles cases, health misinformation, and the real-world consequences these issues have for children, families, and communities.

Dr. Davis is joined by a panel of physicians bringing diverse clinical and public health perspectives:
- Dr. Atoosa Kourosh, MD – Pediatrics, Allergy & Immunology, Public Health
- Dr. Sharon Smith, MD – Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Dr. Leslie-Ann Williams, MD – Internal Medicine–Pediatrics, Public Health & Mental Health Advocacy

Together, the panel breaks down what impeachment means in this context, why it matters now, and what comes next for protecting science-based public health policy in the United States.
Important Note on Timing
This episode was recorded approximately two weeks prior to release. As of the time this episode was published, the Articles of Impeachment discussed in this conversation have officially been filed.

Key Topics Discussed
- The current public health landscape and threats to the vaccine schedule
- Rising measles cases and implications for children's health
- The rationale and objectives behind the Articles of Impeachment
- What impeachment means in practice and what happens next
- The role of Congress in protecting science-based public health policy
- Broader healthcare and public health legislation led by Representative Stevens

Resources & References
Representative Haley Stevens, U.S. House of Representatives: http://stevens.house.gov/
U.S. House of Representatives – Legislative Process: https://www.house.gov/the-house-explained
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov
Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) – Public Health & Vaccine Policy: https://www.kff.org

Connect With Us
Dr. Keisha Davis, MD
https://drkeishadavis.komi.io

Dr. Atoosa Kourosh, MD
https://www.doctoratoosa.com/
https://www.instagram.com/holisticallergyimmunology

Dr. Sharon Smith, MD
https://sharonsmithmd.com/

Dr. Leslie-Ann Williams, MD
http://www.artbydrleslieann.com

The Medical Collective
https://www.medical-collective.net

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My Enduring Faith in Science

As election season grows louder and public trust in institutions continues to waver, Dr. Keisha Davis takes a reflective look at why she still believes in science. In this solo episode, she opens up about what it means to practice medicine in an era of misinformation — when evidence is questioned and expertise is often undervalued. Drawing from her experiences as a physician and pathologist, Dr. Davis shares why scientific truth, transparency, and self-correction remain vital to public health and to the integrity of medicine itself.

• How public trust in science has shifted
• Why the value of doctors' voices has been eroded
• The difference between science and politics
• Why scientific progress relies on humility and honesty
• What it means to believe in science as a physician

Resources & References:
- Pew Research Center – Public Trust in Science: https://www.pewresearch.org
- World Health Organization – Misinformation and Health: https://www.who.int
- American Medical Association – Combating Misinformation: https://www.ama-assn.org
- Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) – Health Misinformation Tracking: https://www.kff.org

Connect With Us:
Dr. Keisha Davis
https://drkeishadavis.komi.io
The Medical Collective
https://www.medical-collective.net

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In this solo episode, Dr. Keisha Davis reflects on the evolution of medicine — from handwritten charts and beepers to AI, EMRs, and social media. She shares stories from her early training, the transition to the digital age, and how modern medicine has both advanced and lost certain human touches along the way. Dr. Davis highlights the importance of preserving compassion and mentorship while embracing innovation, equity, and technology that connects doctors and patients in new ways.

For more on how doctors are connecting with patients and breaking down medical misinformation, listen to 'Know Your Lab Test.'

Resources

American Medical Association (AMA): https://www.ama-assn.org/about

National Institutes of Health (NIH): https://www.nih.gov/

The Lancet – Digital Health: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landig/home

Stat News – Health Tech: https://www.statnews.com/category/health-tech/

Together, they discuss the bigger picture: why global health matters, how U.S. funding and programs like USAID impact care abroad, and how giving back can help physicians rediscover meaning in their own careers. Whether through volunteering, donating, or supporting colleagues, this conversation underscores the ripple effect of compassion in medicine.

Key Topics Covered:

Dr. Sharon's story from Kenya: patients, challenges, and eye-opening moments.
The role of mission organizations like Hands for a Cause and Doctors Without Borders.
Why global health is also public health at home.
The impact of USAID and U.S. funding in global medicine.
How mission work combats burnout and restores purpose for physicians.
Tangible ways listeners can support mission work, even if they can't travel.

Resources & Links:

Hands for a Cause – https://handsforacause.org
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) – https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org
USAID Global Health – https://www.usaid.gov/global-health

Connect With Us:

Dr. Keisha Davis, M.D. (Host) – https://drkeishadavis.komi.io | https://themedicalcollective.komi.io
Dr. Sharon Smith, M.D. (Co-Host) – https://drsharon.komi.io

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In this Breast Cancer Awareness Month special, Dr. Keisha Davis takes listeners behind the scenes of what really happens after you get a cancer biopsy — from the first needle sample to the final pathology report. She breaks down the process step by step, explaining how tissue is examined, how diagnoses are made, and what each test means. Dr. Davis also covers differences between fine-needle aspirations, core biopsies, excisional biopsies, lumpectomies, and mastectomies, along with markers, grading, staging, and report timing.

This episode offers an inside look into how pathologists interpret results and collaborate with surgeons and oncologists to guide treatment decisions.

Be sure to listen to the previous episode, Know Your Breast Density, to understand how breast tissue composition can impact screening and diagnosis.

Resources
College of American Pathologists (CAP): https://www.cap.org/patient-care/understanding-
your-pathology-report
American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP): https://www.ascp.org/patient
American Cancer Society (ACS): https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-
cancer/screening-tests-and-early-detection/breast-biopsy.html
National Cancer Institute (NCI): https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/diagnosis-
staging/diagnosis/pathology-reports