In this episode of The Health Disparities Podcast, host Joyce Knestrick sits down with Mia L. Jones, Chief Executive Officer of Agape Family Health, a community‑rooted health system serving Jacksonville with comprehensive medical, pharmaceutical, and behavioral health services.

Agape’s mission is simple and powerful: “everyone deserves quality, affordable care delivered with compassion, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.” Mia shares the experiences that shaped her path to leadership and the values that fuel her commitment to community‑centered care. She discusses the gaps she saw when stepping into her role and how Agape works every day to remove barriers to access—from sliding‑scale payment options to neighborhood‑based clinics across Jacksonville.

Together, Joyce and Mia explore:

• What a new patient experiences when accessing Agape’s family practice, women’s health, pharmacy, and behavioral health services
• How integrating medical, pharmaceutical, and behavioral health improves outcomes for patients managing chronic conditions
• The importance of trust, dignity, and compassionate care for patients who have faced dismissive or negative healthcare experiences
• Jacksonville’s legacy of community‑based care—from Brewster Hospital to Dr. Alexander Darnes—and how that history shapes Agape’s mission today
• Real‑world inequities such as transportation, insurance gaps, chronic disease burdens, and mistrust in the healthcare system
• The partnerships, funding challenges, and operational realities of sustaining a mission‑driven nonprofit health system

Mia also shares powerful stories of impact—moments when Agape’s care changed the trajectory of someone’s life—and offers practical advice for clinicians and listeners who want to support health equity in their own communities.

This episode is essential listening for anyone working in community health, public health, philanthropy, health equity, or systems‑level change.

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In this episode of The Health Disparities Podcast, host Desiree Clemons talks with Maria Haugen, Founder and CEO of FoXX Health.

After experiencing months of dismissed symptoms, delayed testing, and uncertainty, Maria created FoXX—a daily health companion designed to help women track symptoms, prepare for appointments, and advocate for better care. Her story reflects a reality many women face in healthcare, and FoXX was built to ensure no woman has to wait months to be heard.

Maria shares how her personal health scare became the catalyst for a tool that turns lived experience into clarity, confidence, and actionable data. She explains the gaps she encountered—missed warning signs, lack of preparation tools, and the emotional toll of not being believed—and how those moments shaped the core features of FoXX from day one.

Desiree and Maria explore FoXX Health’s approach and discuss the broader landscape of women’s health, including:

• How daily symptom tracking helps women communicate more effectively with clinicians

• The importance of clinical credibility, privacy, and safety in digital health tools

• Why women’s health is often treated as “niche,” and how that leads to worse outcomes

• What developments give Maria hope for progress in women’s health equity

• Lessons from fundraising and the challenges of building consumer‑focused health technology

Maria also reflects on earning third place at Movement Is Life’s 2025 PowerHER Pitch Competition—a recognition of her vision, momentum, and commitment to improving women’s health experiences.

This episode offers insights for anyone working in women’s health, digital health innovation, patient advocacy, community health, or health equity.

Subscribe to hear more conversations about community‑driven solutions, women’s health, and efforts to eliminate disparities.

• Community health workers use persistence, trust, and cultural insight to uncover the real reasons behind missed appointments or labels like “non‑compliant.”
• Common specialty needs include cardiology, pulmonology, oncology, and advanced imaging, supported by a network of volunteer physicians.
• Transportation support, hotel stays, translation services, and food access function as essential parts of healthcare, not optional add‑ons.
• Florida’s expansion of the Volunteer Provider Program and the urgent need for increased dental funding are highlighted as key policy issues.
• Peer‑to‑peer physician recruitment, strong hospital partnerships, and donor investment help sustain a model rooted in community trust.