Her Story
About Mia
I started my work in medicine and women's health in 2017, though I actually wasn't trying to be in this position - I was supposed to have been retiring. But I saw a need for it, and I remember how I felt when I was first diagnosed. I never wanted another woman to feel that way and be alone, and so that's why I actually started doing the work that I do. As a person with lived experience, I help women navigate to healthcare and resources that they need. I go to different conferences and seminars to talk about the need for more funding for care, for those that are out of care and also for those that are in care, because we all know that drug prices are escalating and some folks are not able to get the medicine that they need. However, there are still avenues to acquire the medicine through the pharmaceutical companies itself. I get the information and then I can be able to bring it back safely. I serve on our community board here and on the AID Atlanta community board. I'm also the CAB chair for the Heather Ivy Society, which is a support group for women that are living and diagnosed with HIV AIDS. I'm very much out there because a lot of people are suffering in silence and they're not coming into buildings, into churches. Even with my disparities - I need to have knee surgery but I can't right now and I use a mobility scooter - but I'm out there because I know that they feel better somebody coming to them and showing empathy for them. I also continue my ministry work through preaching and teaching, because I do know that not everybody goes to church, so you have to go out and reach them where they are, and sometimes that may be in a civic center or just an event place.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Mia
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
First, make sure that you're okay first, because you can't help anybody else if you're not okay. And it's okay not to be okay, but just make sure you get to that okay point. Also, take time out and breathe. Every, at least once out of the day, 24 hours in the day, I take one hour, and I just breathe. You have to be able to balance everything, so that nothing overruns. You'd have to know where to draw the line at and keep it separated. Staying focused, making sure that, again, you're okay. And also, again, meeting people where they are. Everybody's not going to be at the same level. Everybody's coming from different demographics, different circumstances, different traumas, so you have to meet them where they are in order to take them where they need to be.
02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
We all know that drug prices are escalating, and some folks are not able to get the medicine that they need. However, there are still avenues to acquire the medicine through the pharmaceutical companies itself. A lot of people are suffering in silence and they're not coming into buildings, into churches, and so forth. I often tell individuals, I have no problem with organizations and churches and stuff giving for the Christmas and Easter and stuff of that nature, but there are 365 days in a year. What's going on with those days? Are they eating them those days? Are they getting medical attention those days? There's a need for more funding for care, for those that are out of care, and also for those that are in care.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty and transparency. I think that being transparent and honest is very important, because a lot of people have given false information. I often tell individuals, I have no problem with organizations and churches and stuff giving for the Christmas and Easter and stuff of that nature, but there are 365 days in a year. What's going on with those days? Are they eating them those days? Are they getting medical attention those days? I may be able to give you something for Christmas, but I want to make sure that you're okay. Can I - and if they see that I'm being sincere, and I'm being consistent with this, then they're going to be able to trust me the more. Because if they don't trust you, then all they're going to do is get a meal for a day. And then they're gonna be hungry for tomorrow. I don't want any person, not just women, but I don't want any person to feel that they have to go through anything alone. And I wanna be able to be that linkage to whatever it is that they need. I can't get you on the top of the mountain, but I'm gonna get you to the mountain and point you in the right direction.
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