The Black Doctors Speak Podcast

Headlined by Dr. Michael LeNoir, The Black Doctors Speak Podcast will focus on the healthcare issues that affect our community, while providing special guest commentary and action steps to help us heal.

COVID Conversations with your Patients 05/04/2022

African American Health and where we are with the COVID Pandemic 04/21/2022

Mental Health in the African American Community 01/25/2022

Flu and Safety 01/17/2022

COVID-19 Vaccinations in Children 11/15/2021

COVID-19 Vaccinations in Children On this edition of the Black Doctors Speak Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Oliver Brooks to discuss COVID-19 vaccinations in children. Oliver Tate Brooks, M.D. received his undergraduate degree in biology from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia in 1977, graduating in three years. While at Morehouse, he received the Frederick E. Mapp Prize in Biology for excellence in biology. Dr. Brooks received his medical degree in 1981 from Howard University College of Medicine, where he was a summer instructor in biochemistry. He completed a residency in Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital-Oakland, where he practiced for four years before accepting a position at Watts Healthcare Corporation. Dr. Brooks is Chief Medical Officer and past Chief of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at Watts Healthcare Corporation in Los Angeles, California (CA) where he also serves as the Medical Director of the Jordan and Locke High School Wellness Centers. He is a Medical Director for L.A. Care Health Plan, one of the nation’s largest Medicaid managed care plans whose mission is “to provide access to quality health care for Los Angeles County's vulnerable and low-income communities and residents”. He holds staff appointments at Centinela Hospital in Inglewood, CA and at Martin Luther King Community Hospital in South Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Brooks is Immediate Past-Chairman of the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County, a consortium of 43 community health centers in the southern California area. Dr. Brooks is the immediate Past President of the National Medical Association (NMA), and has held several leadership positions within the NMA, including at the state and local level, as Past President of the Golden State (CA) Medical Association and Past President of the Miller-Lawrence Medical and Dental (local) Society. Dr. Brooks is a present Board member and Past President of the California Immunization Coalition and Chairman of the Immunize LA Families Coalition. He is a member of the national Leadership Panel for the Adolescent Immunization Initiative (AII), which advocated successfully for adding a column on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice’s Center for Disease Prevention and Prevention (CDC) yearly vaccine recommendations in 2017. Dr. Brooks is often requested to speak to the media on issues related to immunizations and is a vocal and passionate advocate for reduced disparities in immunization rates among disadvantaged communities. He also is frequently asked to present to physicians and other medical groups on the science and the implementation perspective of vaccine utilization. In June 2020, Dr. Brooks asked to, and joined the ACIP COVID-19 Work Group discussing and making recommendations to the ACIP regarding (potential) COVID-19 vaccine prioritization. Dr. Brooks is a member of the Best Practices Leadership, of the Right Care University of Best Practices, a group dedicated to reducing heart disease in CA and nationally. His community service extends beyond health and wellness and includes serving as Past President of the Long Beach Museum of Art’s Board of Trustees. Dr. Brooks has received numerous honors and awards; he was honored by the National Council of Negro Women, Long Beach CA for Outstanding Service to the Community and in 2017, he was the Wall of Excellence for Medicine awardee for Long Beach 2016 Black History Month. In 2019, Dr. Brooks was honored as one of the Top Blacks in Health Care by BlackDoctor.org. Dr. Brooks is a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi and Sigma Pi Phi (the Boule) fraternities. He is married to his wife of 32 years, Lisa and has two children, Alana and Joseph. /episode/index/show/blackdoctorsspeak/id/21168665

Environmental Justice 11/15/2021

Talking to Black Parents about the COVID-19 Vaccination 11/15/2021

Talking to Black Parents about the COVID-19 Vaccination On this edition of the Black Doctors Speak Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Oliver Brooks to discuss talking to black parents about the COVID-19 vaccination. Oliver Tate Brooks, M.D. received his undergraduate degree in biology from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia in 1977, graduating in three years. While at Morehouse, he received the Frederick E. Mapp Prize in Biology for excellence in biology. Dr. Brooks received his medical degree in 1981 from Howard University College of Medicine, where he was a summer instructor in biochemistry. He completed a residency in Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital-Oakland, where he practiced for four years before accepting a position at Watts Healthcare Corporation. Dr. Brooks is Chief Medical Officer and past Chief of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at Watts Healthcare Corporation in Los Angeles, California (CA) where he also serves as the Medical Director of the Jordan and Locke High School Wellness Centers. He is a Medical Director for L.A. Care Health Plan, one of the nation’s largest Medicaid managed care plans whose mission is “to provide access to quality health care for Los Angeles County's vulnerable and low-income communities and residents”. He holds staff appointments at Centinela Hospital in Inglewood, CA and at Martin Luther King Community Hospital in South Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Brooks is Immediate Past-Chairman of the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County, a consortium of 43 community health centers in the southern California area. Dr. Brooks is the immediate Past President of the National Medical Association (NMA), and has held several leadership positions within the NMA, including at the state and local level, as Past President of the Golden State (CA) Medical Association and Past President of the Miller-Lawrence Medical and Dental (local) Society. Dr. Brooks is a present Board member and Past President of the California Immunization Coalition and Chairman of the Immunize LA Families Coalition. He is a member of the national Leadership Panel for the Adolescent Immunization Initiative (AII), which advocated successfully for adding a column on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice’s Center for Disease Prevention and Prevention (CDC) yearly vaccine recommendations in 2017. Dr. Brooks is often requested to speak to the media on issues related to immunizations and is a vocal and passionate advocate for reduced disparities in immunization rates among disadvantaged communities. He also is frequently asked to present to physicians and other medical groups on the science and the implementation perspective of vaccine utilization. In June 2020, Dr. Brooks asked to, and joined the ACIP COVID-19 Work Group discussing and making recommendations to the ACIP regarding (potential) COVID-19 vaccine prioritization. Dr. Brooks is a member of the Best Practices Leadership, of the Right Care University of Best Practices, a group dedicated to reducing heart disease in CA and nationally. His community service extends beyond health and wellness and includes serving as Past President of the Long Beach Museum of Art’s Board of Trustees. Dr. Brooks has received numerous honors and awards; he was honored by the National Council of Negro Women, Long Beach CA for Outstanding Service to the Community and in 2017, he was the Wall of Excellence for Medicine awardee for Long Beach 2016 Black History Month. In 2019, Dr. Brooks was honored as one of the Top Blacks in Health Care by BlackDoctor.org. Dr. Brooks is a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi and Sigma Pi Phi (the Boule) fraternities. He is married to his wife of 32 years, Lisa and has two children, Alana and Joseph. /episode/index/show/blackdoctorsspeak/id/21168326

Asthma in the 21st Century 10/11/2021

Sleep Disorders with Dr. Jerrold Kram 10/06/2021

Children and Sports with NBA Coach, Brian Shaw 08/23/2021

Going Back to School and COVID-19 08/23/2021

Diabetes and Foot Health 08/03/2021

Men's Health and Erectile Dysfunction 07/27/2021

Asthma and Lung Diseases 07/19/2021

Let's Talk Men's Health and Prostate Cancer 07/12/2021

Men's Health and Sickle Cell Disease 06/28/2021

Men's Health and Sickle Cell Disease This week’s episode of Black Doctors Speak is all about sickle cell disease. Sickle cell is a genetic blood disorder in which red blood cells become hard and appear like the C-shaped sickle tool, which can be very painful and difficult to manage. Sickle cell anemia commonly impacts the Black community, as it occurs in about 1 in every 365 Black or African American births. Even greater is the amount of Black or African American babies born with the sickle cell trait, which is about 1 in every 13. If you are curious to learn more about sickle cell, tune into this informative episode of Black Doctors Speak! Today, Dr. LeNoir opens up the episode by recognizing the importance of receiving the COVID-19 vaccination, and provides updates on the changing landscape of the virus. Following updates on the Coronavirus is an informative discussion on the ins-and-outs of sickle cell disease. To discuss this important topic, Dr. LeNoir is joined by Mr. John Burns from the Black Women’s Health Imperative, an attorney and partner at Burns Brothers, a culture-driven diversity agency. Also joining in on this important episode is Dr. Doris Browne, a past President of the National Medical Association and distinguished hematologist and oncologist, as well as Mr. Ty Montgomery, running back for the New Orleans Saints, who is also a carrier of the sickle cell trait. This panel of guests dive into some of the details of sickle cell that are unknown to much of the public. They dive into the differences between the sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease, the importance of testing for the trait, as well as some complications that come with diagnosing and treating sickle cell. Mr. Montgomery offers some insight on what it was like to be a professional athlete living with the sickle cell trait, and how he handled this diagnosis throughout his personal and professional life. Mr. Burns also goes in to the specifics of what the Black Women’s Health Imperative is doing to help educate the public and advocate for those living with sickle cell. Tune in to this episode to learn all about this disease that severely impacts the black community. /episode/index/show/blackdoctorsspeak/id/19636184

Let's Talk Men's Health 06/21/2021

Let's Talk Men's Health June is Men’s Health Month, and The Black Doctors Speak Podcast is bringing you an episode all about black men’s health in America. Historically and currently, black men’s health outcomes are poorer than those of other communities when it comes to life expectancy, morbidity, chronic illnesses and more. A common question that is raised regarding the health of black men is; is the black community responsible for their own poor health outcomes? Or is it the fault of systemic and institutional failures that black people lack the resources to adequately care for their health? These questions and many more will be addressed by the panel of experts in this episode of Black Doctors Speak. Today’s first guest is Dr. Oliver Brooks, Past President of the National Medical Association (NMA), Chief Medical Officer at Watts Healthcare, and Medical Director for LA Care Health Plan. Also featured on this episode is Dr. Rodney Hood, who is another Past President of the NMA, an Internal Medical Specialist and Managing Partner of Care View Medical Group. These two experts join Dr. LeNoir and Mr. Ellis Dean of BlackDoctor.Org for a lively and informative discussion of all things related to black men’s health! Dr. LeNoir kicks off the episode by discussing the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic as it relates to the Delta strain and it’s growing dominance in the United States. The doctors discuss the two-fold importance of receiving the COVID vaccination. Not only are vaccinated people protecting their own health, but they are also protecting the health of their community, families and loved ones. The guests expand on this and why receiving your vaccine is so crucial, especially for members of the black community. Following the COVID-19 updates is a lively discussion on the big questions surrounding black men and health. The experts touch on topics such as food deserts, schooling and education, exercise and racism in healthcare, which can all impact black men’s health outcomes. Additionally, they touch on some of the misconceptions that bad lifestyle choices are solely to blame for the poor health seen in the black male community. Tune in to this episode to stay updated on all of the relevant topics surrounding black men’s health! /episode/index/show/blackdoctorsspeak/id/19520000

The Social Emotional Role of the Black Father 06/14/2021

Maternal Health and COVID-19 featuring Dr. LaTonya Washington, MD, MBA; Kanika Harris, PHD, MPH and Kineta Sealey, Esq. 06/06/2021

Maternal Health and COVID-19 featuring Dr. LaTonya Washington, MD, MBA; Kanika Harris, PHD, MPH and Kineta Sealey, Esq. The American healthcare system has a history of ignoring the health and wellness needs of Black women. Time and time again, African American women experience negative health outcomes, whether it be related to pregnancy and birth or other health related experiences. Research and statistics have revealed that this issue of poor health outcomes for Black women is a unique product of medical racism and discrimination in the United States, not a result of genetic difference between Black women and women of other races. Knowing all of this information, the question remains, what can be done to reconcile these health disparities being faced by so many African American women? This episode of Black Doctors Speak will explore these timely, complex issues that Black women are facing. Dr. LeNoir is joined by a number of guests on this episode to discuss these important topics. Firstly, we hear from Dr. LaTonya Washington, President of the Bluff City Medical Society, which has worked for decades to eradicate health disparities. Dr. Washington & Dr. LeNoir engage in an informational discussion on why the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted Black and brown communities, and the importance of receiving the COVID vaccinations. Next, Dr. LeNoir is accompanied by Dr. Kanika Harris, a health equity strategist, birth justice advocate and expert on maternal health from the Black Women’s Health Imperative, as they explore a number of topics related to the health of Black women in America. The Black Women’s Health Imperative is dedicated to fighting for the health equality of Black women, and this episode of Black Doctors Speak will give insight into the issues being faced by Black women, including COVID-19, maternal health and more! This episode also features Kineta Sealey, Esq. who works as the policy counsel for the Black Women’s Health Imperative. She shares some details with Dr. LeNoir about legislation which would advocate for and protect Black women’s health, and discusses how things such as climate change can exacerbate inequality in health outcomes. /episode/index/show/blackdoctorsspeak/id/19368695