Five X More’s Post

Our latest report shows how equitable programs, practices and supports accelerate pathways for Black women in healthcare. This report analyzed over 200 sources, including several focus groups. Let’s build stronger connections and support systems. Download the report today! Special thanks to our wonderful partners Beacon Public Health, Elevation Educational Consulting Group, Total Life Consultancy LLC, Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and Greater Washington Community Foundation for their leadership and dedication to building a better future for all. #DiversityInHealthcare #HealthEquity #LeadershipDevelopment #FutureOfWork #ThrivingTogether

Learning How to Let Your Hair Down at the Doctor’s Office In my journey as a Black man and a physician, I’ve seen firsthand how critical it is for patients to feel comfortable and authentic in the clinical setting. Too often, patients walk into their doctor’s office with a sense of formality, believing they have to present themselves in a way that fits into a rigid mold of what “healthy” or “professional” looks like. But the truth is, healthcare isn’t just about lab results and medical records — it’s about the whole person. Studies have shown that strong patient-provider relationships lead to better health outcomes. When patients feel safe enough to share their full story — from the social stressors they face, to their personal habits, and even cultural or emotional barriers — providers gain a much richer understanding of their health. This allows for more personalized care, which has been linked to greater adherence to treatments and better long-term outcomes . But this dynamic requires both the patient and the doctor to break down some of the traditional barriers that make healthcare feel clinical and disconnected. Patients need to feel like they can “let their hair down” and speak openly without judgment. This is especially true for marginalized communities, who may face unique health disparities rooted in social determinants of health, such as racism, economic instability, and limited access to care . When we, as providers, know what life looks like for you outside the exam room, we’re better equipped to provide care that addresses your real, lived experience. In my practice, I emphasize authenticity, encouraging patients to speak their truth. As a doctor who shows up as my full self — not just a physician, but a Black man, a father, a community leader — I know that breaking the mold is necessary. We need more of this in medicine. It’s time for healthcare to feel relatable and human again, where you’re seen for all of who you are. As we work to reshape the future of medicine, I encourage you to support The 15 White Coats at www.15wc.org. This initiative is reaping the future of healthcare by ensuring that diverse voices, backgrounds, and perspectives shape how care is delivered. Your tax-deductible donation helps us bring more inclusivity and equity to healthcare, ensuring that everyone can bring their authentic selves to the table. #DiversityInHealthcare #AuthenticityMatters #CulturalCompetency #The15WhiteCoats #HealthcareEquity

Not every patient is a good fit for every doctor...and that's ok. In Direct Primary Care (DPC), physicians can let their culture and personalities shine through, fostering connections with patients who are more culturally aligned for better care. DPC offers a fresh perspective on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - curious to learn more? Check out my article to uncover how. #DPC #healthcare #DEI https://lnkd.in/efj2uR_Y

In Orr Group's latest Partner Perspectives interview, Stacy Cross, President & CEO of Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, shares her thoughts on navigating the current healthcare landscape and reflects on the impact of our partnership. Check out the video below to hear the full conversation.

It is so important to engage communities in your planning. Karolina Gerlich FRSA talks about this in the latest issue of Care Management Matters (CMM) #CHOW #Engagement #CareSector #GetInvolved

In Orr Group's latest Partner Perspectives interview, Stacy Cross, President & CEO of Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, shares her thoughts on navigating the current healthcare landscape and reflects on the impact of our partnership. Check out the video below to hear the full conversation.

In Orr Group's latest Partner Perspectives interview, Stacy Cross, President & CEO of Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, shares her thoughts on navigating the current healthcare landscape and reflects on the impact of our partnership. Check out the video below to hear the full conversation.

The image below is of something I wrote in my notebook a few weeks ago, prior to Survivor Alliance's World Congress: "SA defines the movement." Before I dive deeper into this, it's important to also define what a movement is broadly speaking. "A movement is a set of people with a shared experience of injustice who organize to build their collective power and leadership" - Srilatha Batliwala, All About Movements [https://lnkd.in/ePibAC97] We hear about the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S., workers' rights movement locally and globally, women's movement locally and globally, and so many more. These movements are comprised of the people who experience the same, or very similar, injustice. They are led by the affected, the victimized, the marginalized, and in recent vocabulary - the impacted communities. Survivor Alliance is defining the movement of survivors of human trafficking and slavery. The Oxford Dictionary defines the word "define", as "state or describe exactly the nature, scope, or meaning of". We are describing the nature of what we want our collective power and leadership to look like. We are describing the scope of what we stand for, and we are stating the meaning of our movement. Our movement is greater than the professional sector, albeit professionals are a key component of our sector. But we are about relationships, dignity, joy, healing, collective care and collective liberation. And let me be clear - we are not defining it for ourselves as an organisation, but co-producing what what movement means and looks like. This is what the World Congress sparked in a new way. There was only so much we could do online. Our in person gathering channeled our energies toward our shared purpose and toward a vision of what can be. If you'd like to join us in our work, please donate, learn, share, support your local Survivor Alliance members, and take action without being asked or told or seen or celebrated. https://lnkd.in/eVtfRFmT

For the past 6-years, The Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund grantees have continued transforming public health through the arts, as showcased in their newly launched “The Role of the Arts in Healthcare; Transforming Lives, Creating Community” progress report. Featuring organizations such as The Art Therapy Project, the report highlights impactful collaborations addressing mental health through creative programming. Alongside this, the Illumination Fund announced an increased commitment of $25 million to expand this vital work! Special thanks to Laurie Tisch and the Illumination Fund’s Executive Director, Rick Luftglass for fostering strong connections among these organizations to maximize their impact. Read the full report at https://lnkd.in/eYNgcHaz #thearttherapyproject #artsinhealth #LaurieMTischIlluminationFund

In Orr Group's latest Partner Perspectives interview, Stacy Cross, President & CEO of Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, shares her thoughts on navigating the current healthcare landscape and reflects on the impact of our partnership. Check out the video below to hear the full conversation.