Reflect. Inspire. Strengthen. Empower. RISE cofounders Dr. Anjali Bhagra and Barbara Jordan share how these four simple words can evolve equity and inclusion in every industry, starting with healthcare. “My constant challenge to myself,” said Bhagra, “was that I did not want to develop a program that was more like a checkbox of complete this training and complete that training.” Rather than creating seminars, she crafted a concept that stresses human development and could be…

In a health care industry where Black people are statistically more likely to develop and die from many forms of cancers compared to whites, Drs. Folakemi Odedina and Alyx Porter are working daily on initiatives to close the gaps. In this wide-ranging discussion about Black representation in cancer care, the two talk to RISE for Equity Host Lee Hawkins about strategies for mobilizing communities and fostering workforce diversity to improve outcomes. “I grew up in…

As the health care industry works to address disparities in clinical trial participation, some Mayo Clinic doctors trying new approaches. In this episode, Drs. Sharonne Hayes and Michele Halyard detail the deliberate exclusion of women from these studies, and the dramatic effects on health outcomes for women, from decades of misdiagnosis of heart attacks and heart disease to delayed detection of breast cancer. Encouraging more researchers to diversify their patient pool is not enough; the…

As a biostatistician, Dr. Felicity Enders spends much of her time analyzing medical research and crunching of the numbers we read about in newspapers and medical journals. In this interview, Dr. Enders reveals how this behind-the-scenes work is actually the frontline in addressing racism in healthcare. Join Lee Hawkins as he learns about the new data-collection approaches being used to track patient health over time and how they reveal the devastating “accelerated aging” effects of…

Only about three percent of the nation’s doctors are Black men, which lives in stark contrast to the overall Black population. In this episode, Lee Hawkins gathers a panel of Black men to examine this disparity and the unquestionable ripple effect of representation—or lack thereof. Listen as three accomplished Black men in white coats dissect the hurdles to medical school and representation in healthcare—from opportunity and mentorship, to the power of seeing a doctor in…

Artificial Intelligence is full of technological and economic promise, but, just like its creators, AI isn’t free from subconscious discrimination. As AI becomes more commonplace in the medical field, questions of whether racial bias will be mitigated or expanded in the future are omnipresent. The solution will depend on how much effort is put into making AI more equitable. Join Lee Hawkins, Drs. Maia Hightower and Ivor Horn as they delve into this new frontier.…

Uncertainty over which pronouns to use with gender diverse patients can spark anxiety for medical professionals and new acquaintances alike. But that anxiety is no match for the trauma felt by transgender, intersex and other gender diverse patients who deal with being misgendered every day. Host Lee Hawkins is joined by a panel of Mayo Clinic experts to unpack the medical importance of pronouns and why best practices in equity, inclusion, and diversity cannot be…

We are all born with potential, but not all of us are given the opportunity to realize it. This is particularly true of young people of color. The RISE for Youth program seeks to bridge the gap, with a first-of-its-kind collaboration between Mayo Clinic and the NAACP (Rochester), designed to help underrepresented students find power against those odds. Featuring RISE for Youth program leader Walé Elegbede, and two rising star students, Host Lee Hawkins leads…

RISE cofounders Dr. Anjali Bhagra and Barbara Jordan discuss the crucial role of equity in healthcare, and how Mayo Clinic is building an ecosystem of equity to create a more inclusive environment for staff and patients. In reflecting on season 1 of the RISE for Equity podcast, Dr. Bhagra shared, “I think in this space, it is incredibly important for us to learn from and disseminate stories. I’m very, very proud of the fact that…

Flu and cold season is an annual concern for people around the world. Specifically in the United States, there are massive disparities in both care and outcomes for communities of color related to both diagnosis and treatment of flu and cold. On this episode of the RISE for Equity podcast, Dr. Nusheen Ameenuddin joins host Nicole Nfonoyim-Hara to discuss COVID’s impact on cold and flu, protecting our communities, and how we can improve education and access to care…

While historically there has been limited inclusion of racial and ethnic minorities in research studies and clinical trials, critical strides have been taken in medicine to  increase representation to help address health disparities and inequities. Gaining  diverse perspectives in research provides an opportunity to enhance our understanding of the unique challenges faced by different racial and ethnic groups and also helps dismantle  biases and stereotypes.  On this episode of the RISE for Equity podcast, Dr. Kim Barbel Johnson…

“If we introspect into the origin of the bias, we’ll notice that the belief that people are 100 percent in control of their body weight is probably the basis for the bias. Because if we truly understand the systemic nature of any health problems, particularly weight gain, we can probably empathize more with the person who lives in a larger body as opposed to blaming them for being in that shape.” — Sumit Bhagra, M.D.…

On this episode of the RISE for Equity podcast, Dr. Victor Chedid joins host Nicole Nfonoyim-Hara to explore the critical topic of Health Equity within the LGBTQ+ communities. Delving into the multifaceted dimensions of this issue, the discussion sheds light on the significant impact of healthcare and access for LGBTQ+ individuals, from confronting prevalent challenges to presenting actionable resources for patients and healthcare providers alike. Join us for an engaging dialogue poised to resonate with…

On this episode of the RISE for Equity podcast, Dr. John Halamka and Dr. Sonya Makhni join host Nicole Nfonoyim-Hara to explore the multifaceted realm of Equity in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Delving into AI’s applications in healthcare and various industries, this episode sheds light on its potential to transform patient care experiences. Listeners gain a deeper understanding of how AI is reshaping healthcare and are equipped with insights to recognize its presence and benefits within…

“On a scale of 1 to 10, what’s your pain?” If you’ve just broken a bone or are seeking treatment for endomitosis, it’s likely the first question you’ll be asked. But what if your pain is dismissed or minimized due to your age, race, or gender? In this episode of the RISE for Equity podcast, host Nicole Nfonoyim-Hara unpacks the latest evidence around bias in pain management—and effective strategies for a holistic approach to care—with…

On this episode of the RISE for Equity podcast, Dr. Amy Hara joins host Nicole Nfonoyim-Hara for an insightful discussion on the topic of leadership in healthcare. Dr. Hara, a member of the Mayo Clinic Board of Governors and Mayo Clinic Arizona’s Executive Operations team, shares her experiences and perspectives on what it means to be an effective leader in the ever-evolving healthcare industry. For my leadership, I really encourage folks to bring themselves. Because…

On this episode of the RISE for Equity podcast, host Nicole Nfonoyim-Hara is joined by Dr. Aminah Jatoi and Dr. Yemi Sokumbi to discuss women in medicine. Drs. Jatoi and Sokumbi share their personal stories of deciding to practice medicine, explore the current field of medicine as women physicians, and offer insight into the growth of women in the medical workforce and leadership in the future.  “When I’ve asked colleagues about that gender disparity, and…

On this episode of the RISE for Equity podcast, Dr. Subashnie Devkaran joins host Nicole Nfonoyim-Hara to discuss the importance of the value of care, and how Mayo Clinic champions equity through quality care. “How fortunate we are to live in an age where technological advances make achieving the highest quality care for all entirely possible; therefore, achieving equity in health care is no longer just an aspirational goal, but it now becomes an imperative…