LaTanya Clarke- Pryce

Firstly, I would say my mom. She passed away two and a half years ago unexpectedly due to a chronic condition. I don't know if she knew how sick she was - the family didn't know. Her passing away unexpectedly and how the health system handled her fuels me to continue to go in the community. That's why I got more into the wellness space. I want to be able to help people live healthier lives and understand what that really means, what that looks like, and why it's important. I want people to know why they are important as individuals. I know sometimes we get hung up by the downfalls of life and we may not feel important, but you are important to someone, even if they don't express that to you the way you feel like you should hear it. You are an important being and you exist for a reason. I want to help people understand that, while also helping them navigate the healthcare system, which is a challenge for a lot of people. I want to continue to contribute and give back to the community and know that I'm making a difference. This is for my mom, and for myself too. What happened to her shouldn't have - she should still be here, and I just don't want that to happen to someone else.

Everything is negotiable. Don't be afraid to speak up, whether that is in salary or your position title - everything is negotiable. That fuels me to advocate for myself.

Learn as much as you can from where you are. It's okay to start small and grow big, but if your desire is to climb the corporate ladder in healthcare, start where you are and work your way up. Learn as much as you can, because that's how, as a leader, you will be able to support your patients the best. When you understand from frontline level, you're able to better support your those you serve. Also, don't be afraid to speak up, and just do so with tact and respect. You also have to love people. If you are getting into the healthcare field, you have to love people, because the work that you do, at the end of the day, is impacting human life in some fashion.

The primary challenge lies in individuals fully comprehending how to navigate the healthcare system and access necessary care. Affordability presents a significant obstacle, and for some, transportation to appointments is also a barrier. It is crucial for people to understand the intricacies of the healthcare system, from contacting their insurance provider to engaging with their physician, including what questions to ask and how to conduct those discussions. This essentially encapsulates health literacy. A recent study indicated that over 60% adult Americans have inadequate health literacy, irrespective of their socioeconomic status or educational background. The ability to navigate the healthcare system, grasp information, and apply it effectively represents a notable deficiency within the system. Furthermore, a lack of trust in the healthcare system is also a significant concern, which is understandable given past and ongoing events. Efforts are needed to help individuals regain confidence in the healthcare system, potentially through the involvement of appropriate advocates.

Honesty, loyalty, trustworthiness, genuineness, and love. I think when we don't do things with love, the weight of it doesn't have much significance. I also value humility. I think that's very important because if you're not humble and able to put yourself in someone else's shoes to see things from their perspective, then how are you going to be able to help someone when you're not seeing it from their lens? It's about recognizing and having a balanced view of yourself, but not seeing yourself as superior to others - just trying to really hone in on what other people need and understand where they're coming from.