Stories about life teaching me to practice medicine
I'm a family practice physician, a teacher, and a storyteller. For over 25 years I have practiced medicine in clinics across the United States and around the world. My teachers have been my patients, my family, my community, and the moments that have stopped me in my tracks and showed me that there is a better way.
This site is a collection of those stories, and my hope is that they will resonate with you, inspire you, help you see things in a different way, or just start a conversation. The stories are about listening to people when words aren't sufficient. They're about the rhythm of rest and effort that keeps us whole. They're about the courage it takes to become a beginner. And they're about the village that we build together with our family, our friends, our colleagues, and the people who want the best for us.
About Me
As a family medicine physician with a passion for women's health, I focus on holistic approaches to menstrual care, integrating clinical expertise and patient education. My mission is to empower people on their health journeys.
Experience
Professional Background
Family Medicine Physician
Atlanta, GA
Our Village: A Vision for Women's Health
Half the people on this planet have a menstrual cycle. Yet we are not allowed to talk about it. Every single one of them will one day reach menopause. Yet many women go through this experience feeling isolated and alone. No two people’s menstrual experience will be exactly the same as each other. Yet for generations — in living rooms, classrooms, and examination rooms — these experiences have been met with dismissal, secrecy, a prescription pad, and a seven-minute appointment.
Our Village exists because women deserve better. And better is possible right now.
Our vision spans the full hormonal arc of a woman's life: 1) giving girls the kindest gift is a better first period; 2) offering support and real solutions for menstrual challenges such as irregular bleeding, flow management, painful periods, mood changes such as sadness and anxiety, and physical symptoms such as headaches, bloating, acne, and back pain; 3) managing menstrual pauses such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and hormonal contraception; 4) helping women recognize and navigate the challenges of perimenopause; and 5) building the conditions for flourishing throughout menopause. These experiences are not separate chapters. They are one continuous story, and they deserve to be treated that way.
Primary care and preventive medicine are the foundation for reaching women effectively — but too many providers graduate their training without the expertise or the tools to help their patients thrive in this area.
Our Village is working to change that, by creating clinical frameworks, building educational infrastructure, and helping physicians feel confident and skilled at every stage of the hormonal conversation.
At the center of our clinical work is the ICMAP — the Individual Combination Menstrual/Menopausal Action Plan — a structured framework for individualizing care and promoting flourishing across the full hormonal experience. Our goal is to implement, improve, and validate this tool so it can be adopted by generalist physicians everywhere, reaching women in every geography and every socioeconomic setting.
The impact multiplies when care is delivered by a holistic team: physicians, pelvic floor physical therapists, nurses, exercise physiologists, and psychologists working together rather than in silos. That is the model Our Village is built around. One woman. One plan. One team built entirely around her.
We are also educators — teaching pelvic floor physical therapists, medical students, generalist residents, and the general public. We bring this conversation into the workplace, into communities, and into families. We educate men so they can be better husbands, friends, boyfriends, brothers, co-workers, and bosses.
We believe that when a woman understands her own body and can advocate for herself with her health care providers, the clinical work becomes more effective, and flourishing becomes more possible.
This is what Our Village is for.
Clinical Collaborator
Our Village Initiative
Co-founded a collaborative network aimed at enhancing menstrual health experiences through innovative care models and community support.
Public Health Advocate
Health Education Programs
Developed and led educational programs aimed at improving menstrual health literacy and advocating for patient rights.
Mentor and Trainer
Upcoming Healthcare Professionals
Mentored aspiring healthcare professionals in women's health, emphasizing the importance of compassionate and informed patient care.
Research Contributor
Menstrual Health Studies
Contributed to research focused on menstrual health, exploring the impacts of hormonal therapies and lifestyle changes.
Community Health Leader
Local Health Initiatives
Led community workshops to create awareness and support for menstrual health, engaging both patients and healthcare providers.
Education
Academic Background
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine
Public Health Master’s Degree
Earned a Master of Public Health (MPH) in epidemiology and international to allow me community health dynamics and preventive care.
Certifications
Certified by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), with ongoing training in specialized women's health topics.
Continuous Learning
Actively participate in workshops and conferences to stay current with advancements in women's health and family medicine.
Achievements
Notable Accomplishments
Patient Care Excellence
Recognized for Impact
Honored for outstanding patient care and innovative approaches to menstrual health, receiving accolades from peers and community organizations.
Community Engagement
Health Workshops
Conducted numerous workshops that educated and empowered patients, leading to improved health outcomes and community support.
Leadership in Healthcare
Mentorship Recognition
Acknowledged for my leadership in mentoring young healthcare professionals and fostering a culture of learning and compassion.
Research Contributions
Advancements in Women's Health
Contributed to research that has advanced understanding and treatment of menstrual-related conditions, influencing clinical practices.
Innovative Care Models
Our Village Initiative
Pioneered a community-focused initiative aimed at improving menstrual health through collaboration and education.
Patient Advocacy
Empowering Women
Known for advocating for women's health rights and providing resources that empower patients to take charge of their health.