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Advocates in ActionAuthor: Patient Advocate Foundation
Have you ever felt intimidated, confused, or overwhelmed when trying to navigate the health care system? In those moments it can be hard to advocate for yourself and those you care about. Join our host Ashley Danyel Freeman as she speaks with patients, providers and caregivers who have found the strength to advocate for equitable access to affordable quality health care. Advocates in Action is created by the Patient Advocate Foundation, a non-profit with the objective of prioritizing the patient voice to achieve person-centered care. We are dedicated to amplifying the powerful stories of individuals and the collective needs of various communities across the country. Language: en Genres: Alternative Health, Health & Fitness, Medicine Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Providing Care Beyond the Office Visit as a Community Doctor
Episode 1
Wednesday, 24 June, 2026
What happens when a doctor stops practicing for the system and starts practicing for the people? In this heartfelt conversation, Ashley D. Freeman sits down with Dr. Aisha Harris, a family physician and proud Flint, Michigan native, to explore what it means to be a community doctor. From returning home to serve the city that raised her, to building a membership-based practice centered on trust, time, and genuine relationships, Dr. Harris shares how healthcare changes when patients are treated like people instead of numbers. Together, they dive into the realities impacting communities every day: chronic stress, mental health, food insecurity, kidney disease, healthcare accessibility, and the growing disconnect between policy and patient care. Dr. Harris also offers an inspiring perspective for healthcare providers navigating burnout and restrictive systems, encouraging them to take ownership of their careers, think creatively, and build paths that allow them to care for patients more intentionally. This episode is a reminder that medicine is bigger than clinic walls. It’s about connection, advocacy, education, and creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and empowered in their health journey. Whether you’re a provider, patient, caregiver, or someone passionate about the future of healthcare, this conversation will leave you thinking differently about what care can look like. Chapters (00:00:03) - Patient Advocate Foundation in Action(00:02:02) - Flint Community Doctor on Returning home to Serve the Community(00:07:41) - In the Elevator With Your Doctor(00:09:10) - The challenges facing patients and their health(00:12:19) - Keynote: How to manage kidney disease(00:14:12) - How to Energize Your Patients(00:18:07) - What Inspired You to Start Your Own Practice(00:20:24) - The challenges of the healthcare system(00:23:44) - What Keeps You Motivated to Work in Medicine?(00:26:46) - How to Get Out of Your Stifled Workpace(00:29:08) - Advocates in Action: More Doctors in the Future
