It’s Giving Health

Joy isn't just a nice feeling, it's actual medicine for your mind and body. In this episode of It's Giving Health, Donnae Ward sits down with Melody Washington, Director of Behavioral Health at Advance Community Health, to explore how intentional joy impacts our mental health, physical well-being, and overall quality of life. From breaking down the cultural messages that tell us we have to earn happiness through suffering, to understanding why choosing joy isn't selfish, this conversation gets real about what it means to prioritize joy in a world that often feels heavy. Whether you're burnt out, grieving, dealing with depression, or simply trying to find more lightness in your daily life, this episode offers permission, practical tools, and a reminder that joy is your birthright. About Advance Community Health Advance Community Health offers FREE health insurance enrollment assistance to community members who need help enrolling in Medicaid or marketplace health insurance. Our Financial Navigators are here to walk you through the application process, answer any questions you may have, and ensure you obtain a health insurance plan that meets your needs!   Follow us on Social: IG: @advanechc FB: Advance Community Health X: @AdvanceCHC   00:40 – Introducing “Joy as Medicine” 01:50 – Hot Take #1: “Suffering vs. Joy” (Joy vs. Happiness, Resilience) 05:00 – Hot Take #2: When Your Job/Relationship Steals Your Joy 07:33 – Social Media Poll Results: How Often Do You Prioritize Joy? 08:46 – “Apple of the Day” 09:52 – Let's Check the Mail 14:10 – Closing: Where to Listen, How to Submit Questions & Raffle Winner    

Medicaid can feel complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of It’s Giving Health, Health Equity Coordinator Donnae Ward sits down with Scot McCray, CEO of Advance Community Health, to break down what Medicaid really is, who it serves, and how it connects to the whole-person care we believe in. But this isn’t your typical sit-down interview… It's a Hot Wing Challenge episode. As the questions get spicier, so do the wings!   About Advance Community Health Advance Community Health offers FREE health insurance enrollment assistance to community members who need help enrolling in Medicaid or marketplace health insurance. Our Financial Navigators are here to walk you through the application process, answer any questions you may have, and ensure you obtain a health insurance plan that meets your needs!   Follow us on Social: IG: @advanechc FB: Advance Community Health X: @AdvanceCHC   0:00 – Intro & Hot Seat Setup 0:28 – Meet the CEO in the Hot Seat 1:16 – Q1: “Can Medicaid Patients Just Get a Job? 2:46 – Q2: Biggest Medicaid Myth 3:49 – Q3: What Medicaid Cuts Mean for Patients 5:20 – Q4: Message to State Legislators  6:59 – Q5: “Medicaid Is Just Welfare”  9:34 – Q6: If I Ran the Country for a Day 11:19 – Sponsor Shoutout & Giveaway Details    

Get an exclusive first look at Episode 2 of It’s Giving Health, where Host, Donnae Ward sits down with Scot McCray, CEO of Advance Community Health, for a conversation that breaks down the basics of Medicaid in a way that’s easy to understand. This isn’t your typical sit-down conversation, this episode brings a fun twist with a Hot Wing Challenge. As the questions get more intense, the wings get hotter! Follow us on Social: IG: @advanechc FB: Advance Community Health X: @AdvanceCHC

The official trailer for Season 2, Episode 1 — “Showing Up: Why Fatherhood Matters” is here. In this upcoming episode, host Donnae Ward sits down with Scot McCray, CEO of Advance Community Health, and Kerry Mackey, PA-C, to have an honest and meaningful conversation about fatherhood. Together, they explore how being a present and engaged father can shape a child’s mental health, physical development, and overall well-being far beyond the home. This episode highlights the real impact of fatherhood on long-term health outcomes and why showing up matters! Watch the trailer now and don’t miss the full episode premiere on April 1, 2026.   Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe so you never miss an episode of It’s Giving Health.

Fatherhood can shape a child’s life in ways that go far beyond the home. In this episode of It’s Giving Health, Donnae Ward sits down with Scot McCray, CEO of Advance Community Health, and Kerry Mackey PA-C, Certified Physician's Assistant,  to talk about the impact of having a present, engaged father, and how it supports children’s mental health, physical development, and overall well-being. This conversation explores how fatherhood plays a powerful role in a child’s long-term health outcomes. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or simply part of a community that wants to see families thrive, this episode offers insight, encouragement, and perspective on why fathers matter.   00:40 – Today’s Topic: Fatherhood & Family Health 02:10 – Hot Take #1 – “We Celebrate Dads for the Bare Minimum” 06:20 – Hot Take #2 – Fatherhood and Mental Health 14:27 – Audience Poll – Favorite Ways to Spend Time with Your Child 19:40 – Apple of the Day 24:16 – Let's Check the Mail - Audience QnA 32:51 – Partners Having the Hard Conversation 37:00 – Raffle Announcement & Winner  

The holidays bring joy, togetherness, and plenty of food, but for many, it also means navigating traditions while trying to stay on track with health goals. In this special holiday episode, host Donnae Ward sits down with Jasmine Westbrooks-Figaro, MS, RD, LDN, CDCES, co-founder and director of Eatwell Exchange, Inc. Jasmine shares her expertise as a registered dietitian to help us rethink holiday meals with flavorful, culturally relevant swaps that don’t compromise on taste or tradition. Together, they discuss strategies for mindful eating, how to enjoy seasonal favorites without guilt, and why small changes can make a lasting impact on health. Plus, Jasmine walks us through two holiday-ready recipes: a savory Sweet Potato & Collard Green Hash from Eatwell Exchange and Green Beans with Mushrooms and Onions from DiabetesFoodHub.org. 00:00:44 – Guest Introduction: Jasmine Westbrooks Figaro 00:01:14 – The Vision Behind Eat Well Exchange 00:02:07 – Recipe 1: Green Beans & Mushrooms 00:03:24 – Inspiration for Recipe & Cultural Connections 00:04:23 – Debunking Myths: Healthy Food & Flavor 00:05:48 – Portion Size Tips 00:07:06 – Healthy Holiday Swaps 00:09:23 – Tips for Eating More Vegetables 00:10:22 – Recipe 2: Sweet Potato & Collard Green Hash 00:12:09 – Nutrition Tips for Diabetes & Chronic Conditions 00:20:52 – Small, Sustainable Steps to Healthier Eating 00:23:54 – Tasting Both Dishes  

Stress and anxiety are affecting children and teens at younger ages than ever before, but treatment doesn’t always have to start with a prescription. In this episode of It’s Giving Health, host Donnae Ward sits down with Director of Pediatrics, Patera Foye-Fuller, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, to explore the power of nonpharmacological care. Specifically, how practices like yoga and mindfulness can help young people regulate emotions, reduce anxiety, and build resilience.   00:00:00 - Intro 0:00:38 -  Yoga and Mental Health for Children 0:01:34 - Dr. Patera's Background in Pediatrics 0:02:02 - How Yoga Helps Manage Anxiety and Stress 0:03:22 - Signs of Stress in Children Parents Might Overlook 0:05:23 - What Yoga Practice for Kids Looks Like 0:08:56 - Integrating Calming Techniques at Home 0:09:24 - Health Equity and Free Yoga Resources 0:11:41 - What Parents Should Discuss with Providers 0:14:00 - How Advanced Community Health Supports Families 0:15:54 - Closing Remarks    

Diabetes management is about taking control of your health and building lasting habits. In this episode of It’s Giving Health, Donnae Ward sits down with Ziad El Tannir, PA-C, at Advance Community Health to discuss practical ways to navigate life with diabetes and all of the programs we offer to help our patients.  From understanding how daily choices impact blood sugar to breaking down the myths around diabetes care, this episode explores how education, small lifestyle changes, and the right care team can empower patients to manage diabetes confidently. 0:00:00 Introduction to the podcast 0:01:57 Ziad El Tannir's background and role 0:03:05 How diabetes affects different body systems 0:05:30 Types of diabetes explained 0:08:59 Holistic approach to diabetes management 0:12:36 Addressing shame and stigma around diabetes 0:15:56 Possibility of reversing diabetes 0:19:05 Cultural perspectives and health disparities in diabetes 0:23:57 Resources available at Advance 0:25:28 DiaBeat It Program Information  

Reproductive health isn’t just a one-time conversation, it’s a lifelong journey. In this episode of It’s Giving Health, Donnae Ward sits down with Shalanda Vann, NP, Nurse Practitioner at  Advance Community Health, to discuss how we can better navigate reproductive and developmental health conversations at every stage of life.   About It's Giving Health: Advance Community Health presents 'It's Giving Health,' a monthly podcast hosted by Donnae Ward. We're building a space where your health matters. Every third Thursday, we'll explore vital health topics relevant to our community. 'Where health gets real' – join the conversation.   0:00 – Introduction 0:39 – Today’s Topic: Reproductive Health 1:09 – Meet the Guest: Shalanda Vann, NP 2:08 – Shalanda's Background & Passion for Reproductive Health 3:26 – What is Reproductive Health Across Generations? 4:26 – Parents: Talking to Kids About Puberty 6:11 – Signs & Symptoms: First Period and Menopause 8:05 – Menopause: What to Expect 8:17 – Cultural Taboos & Barriers in Reproductive Health 10:00 – Breaking Generational Silence 10:59 – Creating Safe Spaces for Questions 11:56 – Supporting Patients Through Menopause 13:44 – Building Trust with Your Healthcare Provider 16:56 – How to Connect with ACH 17:04 – Where to Find the Podcast

In this episode, Donnae Ward sits down with Elizabeth Johnson, DO, FAAP, Pediatric Provider, to discuss one of the most effective ways to protect children from serious illness and to strengthen the health of an entire community. In our conversation, she shares insights on how vaccines support long-term health, why parents shouldn’t be afraid of immunizations, and what every family should know heading into the summer.   About It's Giving Health: Advance Community Health presents 'It's Giving Health,' a monthly podcast hosted by Donnae Ward. We're building a space where your health matters. Every third Thursday, we'll explore vital health topics relevant to our community. 'Where health gets real' – join the conversation.    

In this episode, Donnae Ward sits down with Kerry Macky, PA-C, Primary Care Provider, to unpack how patriarchal norms and rigid definitions of masculinity impact men’s physical and mental health. From emotional suppression to delayed doctor visits and other sexual health concerns, we explore the silent burdens men carry and what it means to redefine strength. Together, we dive into how the healthcare system can better support men’s overall well-being and what conversations need to happen in clinics, homes, and communities to foster change. About It's Giving Health: Advance Community Health presents 'It's Giving Health,' a monthly podcast hosted by Donnae Ward. We're building a space where your health matters. Every third Thursday, we'll explore vital health topics relevant to our community. 'Where health gets real' – join the conversation.

In this episode, Donnae Ward speaks with LaDonn Woodson, LCSWA, MSW, Behavioral Health Professional at Advance Community Health, to discuss anxiety. Listen to learn more about the signs and symptoms of anxiety, coping strategies and resources available to manage anxiety, and how we can break the stigma! About It's Giving Health: Advance Community Health presents 'It's Giving Health,' a monthly podcast hosted by Donnae Ward. We're building a space where your health matters. Every third Thursday, we'll explore vital health topics relevant to our community. 'Where health gets real' – join the conversation.

In recognition of Black Maternal Health Week 2025 (BMHW25), this episode Donnae Ward speaks with Brenda Gartrell, FNP-C, women’s health provider at Advance Community Health, to discuss the challenges Black mothers face, the significance of this year’s Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW) theme, and how Advance's new centering pregnancy program is changing the way we navigate maternal health in our community. About It's Giving Health: Advance Community Health presents 'It's Giving Health,' a monthly podcast hosted by Donnae Ward. We're building a space where your health matters. Every third Thursday, we'll explore vital health topics relevant to our community. 'Where health gets real' – join the conversation.