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Conversations That Matter

In “Conversations That Matter,” Drexel University College of Medicine's Senior Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leon McCrea II, MD, MPH, interviews members of the College of Medicine community about their lives, their journeys in medicine, and their thoughts on diversity in medical practice and education.

Episode 9: Safiyya Shabazz, MD

Dr. McCrea talks with Safiyya Shabazz, MD, the owner and medical director of Fountain Medical Associates in Philadelphia. Topics include:

  • Engineering as a pathway to medicine;
  • Connecting with and learning from Black physicians through the National Medical Association (NMA) and Student National Medical Association (SNMA);
  • The fish hoagie as a classic Philadelphia food;
  • And more!

Episode 8: Rita Guevara, MD with Justin Camacho & Julianna Kinsolving

Dr. McCrea talks with Rita Guevara, MD, an assistant professor of pediatrics and assistant dean of diversity, equity and inclusion at Drexel University College of Medicine, as well as students and Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) co-presidents Justin Camacho, MBA, MD Program Class of 2025, and Julianna Kinsolving, MS, MD Program Class of 2025. Topics include:

  • Finding community through shared backgrounds;
  • Our students’ journeys to medical school;
  • The best restaurants in East Falls;
  • And more!

Episode 7: Janet Cruz, MD

In this episode, Dr. McCrea talks with Janet Cruz, MD, an assistant professor in the Department of Family, Community & Preventive Medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine.


Episode 6: Annette Gadegbeku, MD

In this episode, Dr. McCrea talks with Annette Gadegbeku, MD. Dr. Gadegbeku is an associate professor and chief, Division of Community Health in the Department of Family, Community & Preventive Medicine, as well as associate dean, community health, within the newly formed Office of Community Health & Health Equity. Dr. Gadegbeku is also faculty director, Healing Hurt People, Center for Nonviolence and Social Justice at the Dornsife School of Public Health. Note: this podcast episode was recorded while Dr. Gadegbeku was serving as the assistant dean of community health within the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.)


Episode 5: Darrell Pone, MD

Dr. McCrea talks with Darrell Pone, MD, a retired physical medicine and rehabilitation physician.


Episode 4: Maryssa Lyons, MD and Becks Wilson

Dr. McCrea talks with Maryssa Lyons, MD, a PGY-2 general psychiatry resident at Tower Health – Phoenixville Hospital, and with Becks Wilson, the academic coordinator for the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’s Women’s Health Education Program (WHEP). Topics include:

  • Perspectives on their lives and careers
  • Creating inclusive and comfortable spaces for queer and transgender people
  • And more!

Episode 3: Rita Guevara, MD

Dr. McCrea talks with Rita Guevara, MD, an assistant professor of pediatrics and assistant dean of diversity, equity and inclusion at Drexel University College of Medicine. Topics include:

  • Dr. Guevara's experience as a Drexel Pathway to Medical School (DPMS) alumna, and a current leader of the program
  • Improving the experiences of bilingual health care providers and their patients
  • The "magic" of medicine
  • The best restaurants in East Falls
  • And more!

Episode 2: Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, MD, MEd, MPPM

Dr. McCrea talks with Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, MD, MEd, MPPM, a professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Drexel University College of Medicine, and the chief clinical diversity, equity and inclusion officer for Allegheny Health Network. Topics include:

  • Larkins-Pettigrew’s global health program, W.O.N.D.O.O.R.;
  • Increasing inclusivity in the workplace and ensuring equitable patient care;
  • The best vegan food in Pittsburgh;
  • And more!

Episode 1: Nathalie May, MD

Dr. McCrea talks with Nathalie May, MD, an associate professor and sub-internship director in the Division of General Internal Medicine for Drexel University College of Medicine. Topics include:

  • Dr. May's career and inspiration for practicing medicine;
  • The learning opportunities that come with being part of a diverse community;
  • Local community and favorite Philly foods;
  • The challenges facing medical students in 2021;
  • And more!

 
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