In this powerful episode of The Medical Collective, Dr. Keisha Davis and Dr. Sharon Smith host a timely discussion for Black Maternal Health Week, joined by two incredible guest physicians: Dr. Cynthia Wesley and Dr. Nikki Rowan. Together, they explore the ongoing maternal health crisis affecting Black women in America, personal stories from the frontline, and how to rebuild trust while advocating for better outcomes.

We cover:

• Shocking statistics about Black maternal health disparities.

• The trust gap between patients and the healthcare system — and how to bridge it.

• Personal experiences as Black women physicians and patients.

• Fun and unexpected facts about maternal health.

• Concrete changes needed in healthcare education, practice, and policy.

• How listeners can advocate, support, and navigate their own healthcare journeys.

Plus, we reflect on heartbreaking recent news, including the celebrity death from amniotic fluid embolism, the rising measles cases tied to airports, and the ongoing challenges inside the CDC after major staff changes.

Meet Your Hosts:

• Dr. Keisha Davis, M.D. – Board-certified Pathologist, Fitness Trainer, Public Speaker
  Website: https://drkeishadavis.komi.io/
  Email: askdrkeishamd@gmail.com

• Dr. Sharon Smith, M.D. – Board-certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Aesthetic Specialist
  Website: https://sharonsmithmd.com
  Email: info@sharonsmithmd.com

Special Guests:

• Dr. Cynthia Wesley (Dr. Cyn) – Board-certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcynobgyn?igsh=MTZrMmFqOGpyandqMg==
  Website: https://www.beautybelowmd.com/

• Dr. Nikki Rowan, M.D. – Board-certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikki_rowan?igsh=MXNrY3B6Mmo4ZnNlaA==

Resources:

• Black Mamas Matter Alliance: https://blackmamasmatter.org

• CDC Black Maternal Health Data: https://www.cdc.gov/hearher/blackmaternalhealth/index.html

• March of Dimes Maternal Care Report Card: https://www.marchofdimes.org/perinatal-data-center

• Amniotic Fluid Embolism Foundation: https://www.afesupport.org

• CDC Measles Updates: https://www.cdc.gov/measles/cases-outbreaks.html

• Latest on CDC Layoffs and Rebuilding: https://www.statnews.com/2024/04/10/cdc-layoffs-budget-vaccine-pandemic

In this episode of The Medical Collective, Dr. Keisha Davis is joined by Dr. Dan and Dr. Atoosa to break down the real-time consequences of government freezes and staffing cuts on healthcare systems and scientific research. From the CDC and NIH to universities and grant-based programs, we explore how administrative decisions—especially recent actions under the Trump administration—are creating ripple effects on vaccine development, outbreak surveillance, and public health infrastructure.

We also discuss the measles spike (58 cases at the time of recording, now over 320 nationwide) and declining childhood vaccination rates, disruptions to CDC reporting systems, and new concerns surrounding the flu, norovirus, and bird flu. Though flu cases are now declining, the 2023–2024 season has already led to millions of infections and thousands of deaths.

As we dive deeper into budget slashes, paused studies, layoffs, and limited access to critical data, we unpack the long-term dangers of undermining public health institutions and the people who work within them.

Key Updates Covered in This Episode:

• Measles cases (58 at time of recording; now over 320) and vaccine exemption trends

• CDC Health Alert Network (HAN) and data disruptions

• 2023–2024 flu season: over 26 million cases, 300,000+ hospitalizations, 13,000+ deaths – but declining

• Bird flu strain (H5N1) spreading in dairy cows and vaccine development delays

• Norovirus and COVID-19 circulation updates

• Layoffs, halted research grants, hiring freezes at top universities, and scientific program cutbacks

We break it all down, including what you can do to stay informed and protected.

MEET THE DOCTORS

• Dr. Keisha Davis, M.D. – Pathologist, Host

https://drkeishadavis.komi.io

• Dr. Atoosa Kourosh, M.D., MPH – Pediatrician, Allergist, Integrative Medicine Expert

https://www.doctoratoosa.com

• Dr. Dan – Emergency Medicine Physician, Veteran

https://www.docdanmd.com

RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED

• CDC Measles Information:

https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html

• Flu Surveillance Weekly Report:

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm

• CDC Health Alert Network (HAN):

https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/

• USDA H5N1 Avian Flu Milk Testing Update:

https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2024/04/04/usda-updates-avian-influenza-detections-dairy-cattle

• Federal Grant Freeze Impact (Science & University Systems):

https://www.statnews.com/2024/03/12/scientific-research-funding-freeze-cuts-impact/

• NIH Funding & Layoff Details:

https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases

• Norovirus Tracker:

https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/trends-outbreaks.html

Stay tuned for our next episode, where we’ll continue to track the evolving landscape of healthcare and break down what it all means for you and your community.

Episode Summary

In this solo episode, Dr. Keisha Davis takes listeners behind the scenes of pathology, shedding light on the critical role pathologists play in diagnosing diseases and guiding patient care.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The Journey to Becoming a Pathologist: Medical training, specialization, and what sets pathology apart.
• What Happens in the Lab: A breakdown of how pathologists analyze tissues, cells, and bloodwork to find answers.
• Challenges in Diagnosis: Stories of complex cases and why not all diagnoses are straightforward.
• The Doctor Behind the Diagnosis: How pathologists work with clinicians, surgeons, and oncologists to impact treatment.
• Understanding the Lab’s Role in Healthcare: Why the lab is one of the most important places in medicine—even if patients never see it.

Pathology is the unsung hero of medicine, and this episode gives you an exclusive look into the world beyond the microscope.

Contact Information:

• Email: info@drkeishadavis.com

Resources & Further Reading

• What Does a Pathologist Do? (American Society for Clinical Pathology)
• • https://www.ascp.org
• How Lab Testing Works (College of American Pathologists)
• • https://www.cap.org
• The Impact of Pathologists in Healthcare (Association of Pathology Chairs)
• • https://www.apcprods.org
• How to Become a Pathologist (American Board of Pathology)
• • https://www.abpath.org

Subscribe & Stay Connected!

• Instagram: @TheMedicalCollective
• TikTok: @TheMedicalCollective

Listen on:

• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts
• Google Podcasts

In this bonus episode, Dr. Keisha Davis sits down one-on-one with Sylvia Drew Ivey, daughter of the legendary Dr. Charles Drew, to explore racial disparities in medicine—from her father’s time to today. We dive deep into:

• The legacy of Dr. Charles Drew and his impact on medicine and blood banking.
• How racial barriers in healthcare persist, and why some disparities have barely improved.
• The role of Charles Drew University in preparing diverse medical professionals.
• How the current administration affects access and equity in healthcare.
• The importance of representation—why we need more Black and Brown doctors, researchers, and policymakers.

This is an episode you don’t want to miss—raw, insightful, and incredibly relevant to today’s healthcare landscape.

• Civil Rights Attorney & Public Health Advocate
• Former Executive Director, To Help Everyone (T.H.E.) Health & Wellness Centers
• Senior Special Assistant at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science

• Dr. Charles Drew’s Contributions to Medicine:
  https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/charles-drew-doctor-who-revolutionized-blood-plasma-180978297/
• Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science:
  https://www.cdrewu.edu
• The Need for More Black and Brown Doctors:
  https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/why-we-need-more-black-doctors
• Health Disparities and Racial Barriers in Medicine:
  https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/issue-brief/key-data-on-health-and-health-care-by-race-and-ethnicity/

Make sure to subscribe to The Medical Collective for more in-depth discussions on medicine, public health, and the stories that shape our healthcare system.

🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms.

The holidays are a time for celebration, family, and joy, but they can also come with unique health challenges. In this episode of The Medical Collective, Dr. Keisha Davis is joined by Dr. Sharon Smith to share tips on how to maintain your physical and mental health during the holiday season. We also tackle key health news stories, including Anthem Insurance’s reversal on anesthesia coverage, the USPSTF’s new recommendations for at-home cervical cancer HPV testing, and a disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Learn how to navigate the season safely and mindfully while avoiding common pitfalls.

Meet the Doctors

• Dr. Keisha Davis, M.D. – Pathologist, Fitness Trainer, and Public Health Advocate

Website: https://drkeishadavis.komi.io/

• Dr. Sharon Smith, M.D. – Obstetrician-Gynecologist and Aesthetic Medicine Expert

Website: https://sharonsmithmd.com/

Episode Resources

1. Anthem Insurance Anesthesia Coverage News: https://www.forbes.com/sites/ariannajohnson/2023/11/16/anthem-anesthesia-policy-change

2. USPSTF Recommendation for At-Home HPV Testing:

• Full Draft Recommendation: https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/document/draft-recommendation-statement/cervical-cancer-screening

• Public Comments Page: https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/document/public-comment/cervical-cancer-screening

3. Disease Outbreak in DRC: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cholera

4. CDC Holiday Safety Tips: https://www.cdc.gov/family/holiday/index.htm

5. National Fire Protection Association – Holiday Safety: https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Seasonal-fires/Winter-holiday-safety

In this episode of The Medical Collective, Dr. Keisha Davis, Dr. Atoosa Kourosh, and Dr. Sharon Smith dive into the importance of vaccines and their role in preventing serious diseases. The panel discusses the vaccine schedule, common myths about vaccines, and the safety of vaccines during pregnancy. Additionally, the team reviews the latest health news, including bird flu cases found in raw milk and a significant leadership appointment at the NIH, and what these developments mean for public health and vaccine development.

• Dr. Keisha Davis, M.D. – Pathologist, Host: https://drkeishadavis.komi.io
• Dr. Atoosa Kourosh, M.D., MPH – Pediatrician, Allergist, Integrative Medicine Expert: https://www.doctoratoosa.com
• Dr. Sharon Smith, M.D. – Obstetrician-Gynecologist, Aesthetic Specialist: https://sharonsmithmd.com

1. CDC - Vaccines and Preventable Diseases: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/index.html
2. World Health Organization - Immunization: https://www.who.int/topics/immunization/en/
3. NIH - Vaccine Research Center: https://www.niaid.nih.gov/about/vrc
4. Bird Flu Cases in Raw Milk (CDC Report): https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/index.htm
5. NIH Leadership and Vaccine Development (Official Statement): https://www.nih.gov/news-events