NOV-DEC 2021 by Phenomenal Woman Magazine

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DEC 2021

JACKIE WALSH FOUNDER & CEO HOPE YOGA

SHERRI WHITE Founder & CEO My Sister's Keeper-Cleveland

Dr. CARLA HARWELL Medical Director, University Hospitals Otis Moss Jr. Health Center

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Shelley M. Shockley Managing Editor

Writers Shelley M. Shockley Marsha Walker Eastwood Brittany Garrett Rhonda Crowder

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Cover Story: Shelley Shockley Photo: Jason Garrett Contributing Writers Rhonda Crowder Michelle Phillips Fay Marianna Marron Letitia Nall Stephanie Phelps Kimberly Smith-Woodford

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From the Editor: Shelley M. Shockley

PRACTICING GRATITUDE, WHEN HOPE APPEARS LOST As the year winds down it's a time for reflection and planning for the future. It is also the saddest time of the year for many. The reasons are numerous, loneliness, depression, lack of family etc. Couple the above with a pandemic that seems never ending, social unrest, and a lack of sunlight in the northeast and these feelings can be exacerbated. So, what do you do when faced with these challenges? A dear friend of mine recommends doing something good for others when you're feeling down, and that is advice I know works. Several years ago I heard of a program launched in California where professional photographers, make-up artists and graphic designers gathered to take photos of the homeless. The best part was the portraits were printed out and given to the subject. The project, “Help Portrait” was duplicated around the world. Well when I saw the promotional video I thought, we should do that here in Cleveland and we did just that. With the assistance of Phenomenal Woman Magazine Publisher Beletu Wondwossen and a host of friends and family it became a tradition for three years. That was one of the best holiday gifts that I have experienced and I look forward to relaunching that program when the world truly reopens. Now I know everyone can't launch a photo give-away, but how about sending out holiday cards to senior citizens who live alone, volunteering or something as simple as holding the door open for the person behind you. How about avoiding the hustle and bustle of the holidays and planning a date night with yourself? Try a relaxing bath with your favorite bath scent, candles and a good book. Pamper yourself in your favorite lotions, pull out your favorite lounging outfit, prepare or order in your favorite meal with your favorite beverage and enjoy your own company. Now here's one I haven't developed the courage to do yet, but it is on the list this fall and winter - take a brisk walk in the park. During the height of the pandemic while the world was in quarantine I rediscovered the outdoors and found it freeing and refreshing.

If you don't want to take my word for it, check out our feature on Jackie Walsh, owner and founder of Hope Yoga. Walsh has created a sanctuary allowing you to work through the blues while also improving your physical health. Walsh's studio was created in memory of her parents as a tribute to what they instilled in her, and her journey to find peace after losing them. To get to the heart of the story don't skip her profile. If you liked the idea of helping others you don't want to miss Sherri White's story. This young lady received a devastating diagnosis leaving her feeling defeated until she found an avenue to transfer those feelings through “My Sister's Keeper-Cleveland.” She turned her trauma into triumph for women confronted with the same diagnosis or similar ones. The assistance that she offers to women battling cancer is tremendous, but that's only part of her story. Be sure to read her profile to learn more about Sherri. Often a healthy mind begins with a healthy body and Dr. Carla Harwell is the doctor to help you stay on top of all that may ail you. Cleveland, born and bred Dr. Harwell had a dream as a child and refused to allow racism, sexism or anyone stand in the way of her achieving that goal. Smart, tenacious, witty and committed are just a few adjectives to describe the Medical Director of University Hospitals Otis Moss Jr. Health Center. If you're looking for a doctor who will deliver the facts, then Harwell is the woman you're looking for. Many issues cause the holiday blues at the top of that list I would bet you will find stress over spending. Growing up I believe my parents didn't have this kind of anxiety because most stores had Lay-Away plans that allowed them to space out purchases. Over the last couple of years just all retailers have joined forces with companies that allow you to splurge and pay later. Columnist Marsha Eastwood offers the pros and cons of each company to help you make the right choice if you choose to splurge instead of save. Protecting your financial health is her goal, so rest assured she has added advice on the impact this can have on your wallet. From my home to yours I wish you a safe and happy holiday season. Make time for yourself while spreading love to others. We'll see you in '22!

The key is to take a look at the world from a different perspective, you'll be surprised at what you learn about yourself and the world around you. 4 ▒ NOV - DEC 2021

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PRACTICING GRATITUDE, WHEN HOPE APPEARS LOST Shelley M. Shockley

Is The Buy Now Pay Later Option The Road To Financial Disaster? Marsha Walker Eastwood

RECLAIM YOUR HEALTH Take charge of risk factors affecting your heart health

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Dr. CARLA HARWELL

FEATURES JACKIE WALSH

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Some of us assume that Yoga is just a physical practice. But Jackie Walsh, Founder and CEO of Hope Yoga, says Yoga goes far beyond a physical practice. She says, Yoga's benefits include stress reduction, increased flexibility, increased mobility, better sleep, ease of the mind, reduction of anxiety & depression and fostering mental clarity. Other benefits she cited include, increase of self confidence and helping with symptoms of grief reduction.

At the tender age of five, young Carla Harwell sat in the Radiology Department of the now-defunct Mt. Sinai Hospital waiting for her mom to get off of work, and observed, “all these white men in white coats,” walking through the halls. Always inquisitive Carla inquired, “Mama, what do they do?” Her mom, a secretary in the Radiology Department explained these men were doctors, which of course led to another question, “what do doctors do.” Her mom explained that they help people, they make sick people get well.

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SHERRI WHITE Supporting and uplifting communities affected by breast cancer and other forms of cancer is the primary focus of ' M y S i s t e r ' s Ke e p e r - C l e v e l a n d , (MySKCle)', a service based organization established "to surround women undergoing cancer treatment with a supportive community."

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IS THE BUY NOW PAY LATER OPTION THE ROAD TO FINANCIAL DISASTER? The psychology of spending versus saving is directly tied to By: Marsha Walker Eastwood, gratification which is Bs.Ed, MSHSV defined by Wikipedia as PWM Contributing Writer the pleasurable emotional reaction of happiness in response to a fulfillment of a desire or goal. But, for our purposes here, it is the psychological pull between instant gratification and delayed gratification. Instant gratification is an impulse behavior that flips on the “I want it now and I will deal with whatever financial ramifications that comes with it another day”. It can be likened to a drug that provides that must have feeling of short-term euphoria and one that can quickly become an addiction, and in this pandemic state we find ourselves in today the need to feel good is even more important. Just a few decades ago, consumer spending was limited to socking money away for a highly desired item or if they were lucky enough, putting it on a store charge card which had a limit. The only way to have poor credit was to skip payments and/or have the card cancelled and wait for the paycheck garnishments to begin. Back then the financial debt hole was the size of a thimble compared to today. Over the years as plastic money became more readily available, instant gratification was more available as well, but at a much higher price as the interest rates varied depending on credit scores. It also became more difficult for the average Joe to sport a collection of various credit cards. The increasing desire for having coveted items and reckless spending immediately created financial hardships that went from garnishments to an uptick in bankruptcy filings. Then came the pandemic. In March 2019, a national emergency was declared due to the extensive spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Businesses closed, enhanced weekly federal employment benefits began, and people had money but few places to spend it except online. This situation gave rise to a plethora of online By Now Pay Later platforms, which for many people became the new financial drug of choice. The ads were everywhere and for the first-time consumers could quench their instant gratification thirst by having access to spending platforms that kept their financial feel good under the wire and unchecked. This was possible for a couple of reasons. To use these platforms no hard credit check was made, there was no reporting to the credit agencies, and failure to pay added an interest rate that was previously not attached. Consumers could use as many platforms as they wanted and buy as much as they wanted within their set limits, and credit reporting agencies were none the wiser.

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This financial drug of choice rapidly feathered the nests of the various banks underwriting the spending and created a sort of financial bleed that was difficult to stem in many cases. It also increased online sales of unnecessary items, marginally necessary items and big-ticket necessities. Buy Now Pay Later also changed the business model for the world's largest retailer. Millions of consumers relied on Walmart's layaway to do their holiday shopping. In 2021 Walmart ended the layaway and instead partnered with Buy Now Pay Later company Affirm. Instead of the delayed gratification of making a small payment to put a large number of items in the layaway and small payments to keep the items or saving up to make one big payment near the holiday, those customers now must use Buy Now Pay Later. Target customers can use Sezzle or Affirm. But what do we really know about these platforms? As with any spending, whether it be a local weekly sale, a credit or debit card purchase or Buy Now Pay Later, caveat emptor (let the buyer beware) should always be given thoughtful consideration. It is always better to do due diligence to learn what the platforms offer, if this type of buying suits your financial situation and knowing when and what to buy. Here is a breakdown of the post popular including pros and cons. Affirm is considered to be the best overall platform. It is totally transparent. There are no hidden fees, and you decide how you want to pay for your purchases, made from a variety of participating vendors, including Walmart, Target, Peloton and Best Buy. You must prequalify but there is no hard hit on your credit record. There are no fees, including late fees. Your payment method decides the interest rate. If you choose to pay your purchase(s) within three months there is 0% interest, and if you stretch it out to either six or 12 months the interest rate is 15%, Unlike some similar platforms Affirm offers a savings program that pays 0.65% APR. The first monthly payment is due one month after the purchase is completed. All the following payments will be due on the same day of the month. Affirm is affiliated with 84 stores. Sezzle also requires prequalifying with an instant decision within 60 seconds, there is no impact on your credit score, and they are affiliated with over 41,000 stores. Unlike Affirm, Sezzle requires an upfront payment of 25% of the purchase price at the time the purchase is made, and the remaining balance is spread out over the next six weeks at two-week intervals. This platform works best for working individuals who get paid every two weeks. Should unforeseen circumstances occur, you are allowed one free opportunity to reschedule a payment. All purchases are interest free, but Sezzle charges a $10.00 late fee. Over 40,000 stores are affiliated with Sezzle including Target.

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PayPal In 4 is the best option available for small purchases of $30 to $1500. Affiliated with millions of online stores, and backed by PayPal, the Buy Now Pay Later option requires a PayPal account in good standing. Approval is instant – within 60 seconds of applying, 25% of the purchase price is due at the time of purchase. Payments are due every two weeks, and the purchase is interest free if paid within six weeks. As with the other platforms, a soft credit pull is made with no impact to your credit score. The consumer just must make sure funds will be available for the bi-weekly payments. Klarna's Buy Now Pay Later platform is like the sites, it is possibly the best option for large purchases because in addition to their four-payment option you can also take advantage of pay-in-30 and six- to 36-month financing if you qualify. Information provided from Klarna's website states that in keeping with their own line transparency, “Paying after delivery allows you to try before you buy and is the easiest way to shop online. Complete the payment 30 days after purchase at no added cost. Report returns directly in our app and only pay for the items that you keep.” Klarna is affiliated with more than 70,000 stores. Buy Now Pay Later mandates personal fiscal responsibility and oversight. This means considering your shopping goals. Can your budget handle these extra incremental payments every two weeks? As little as nine dollars here, six dollars there every two weeks can be a budget buster. Are you going to be more inclined to shop at more expensive specialty stores? This includes frivolous purchasing of feel-good items such as cosmetics, home goods and clothing. Do you really need that extra tube of lipstick, or another pair of sandals? How many jars of anti-

aging cream do you need? When you add in the cost of shipping is that giant box of disposable diapers a good idea? Is it feasible to use a Buy Now Pay Later platform for a refrigerator or stove? Remember just because you can doesn't mean you should. When then is a good time to use Buy Now Pay Later? A good example would be if a major department store is having a great online only sale on an item, you had been considering buying for some time and free shipping is offered, then using the platform would make sense. The worst-case scenario would be to use Buy Now Pay Later for disposable items such as groceries, cleaning products and personal care products, along with reading materials and gifts. The number of retail affiliations with Buy Now Pay Later platforms continues to grow due to the ease of acceptance, buying and inflation. The instant gratification of getting items now as opposed to the delayed gratification of waiting until it fits your wallet is a type of emotional seduction that is hard for many to resist. It is an ego booster and a soul soother that can quickly lead to an addiction that can wreak financial havoc, especially during the holiday season. In the final analysis all Buy Now Pay Later platforms are designed to increase consumer spending and increase retail sales. All include pros and cons ranging from minimum purchases to the ability to obtain financing for big ticket items, but only one includes a savings platform with interest. In all things financial, it bears repeating, Caveat Emptor! n

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Jackie Walsh

Founder and Owner of Hope Yoga

ome of us assume that Yoga is just a physical practice. But Jackie Walsh, Founder and CEO of Hope Yoga, says Yoga goes far beyond a physical practice. She says, Yoga's benefits include stress reduction, increased flexibility, increased mobility, better sleep, ease of the mind, reduction of anxiety & depression and fostering mental clarity. Other benefits she cited include, increase of self confidence and helping with symptoms of grief reduction. Jackie was born on the west side of Cleveland and comes from a very large Irish catholic family. She enjoyed a wonderful childhood, always surrounded by lots of family and friends, and their house was always open for anyone to come over and hangout. However, tragedy struck the Walsh family as in 1998, Jackie lost her mom to breast and brain cancer. While the grieving process was hard and facing the reality of their loss was painful, she credits her dad who "did his absolute best to fill the void of my mom and raised the six of us with lots of love and support." Jackie attended St. Angela's in Fairview Park for grade school, Magnificat in Rocky River for high school and Ohio University in Athens for college. Soon after her graduation, the family had to endure another loss in 2013, their caring dad died from squamous cell cancer. Enduring the loss of both parents was a major challenge to Jackie and her siblings. After some careful thoughts, Jackie decided to travel abroad and visited twenty countries. One of the places she visited was Bali, Indonesia where she met Yoga teachers, Alicia Cheung & Oliver Rensch and decided to sign up for a 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training (baseline training one must take in order 8 ▒ NOV - DEC 2021

to teach yoga classes). Of this, Jackie said, "I went into the training not planning on necessarily teaching but to just dive further into my practice and take some time away from Cleveland. I was very lost and didn't know what I wanted to do with my life but this training was incredibly transformational and was the answer to all my questions." After completing the five week program, she decided to stay in Bali along with her oldest sister Maureen, and participated in another 100 hour Yin Yoga Training with the same teachers. Following her return to Cleveland, Jackie developed a desire to teach and considered one day opening her own studio in memory of her parents right in their hometown of Fairview Park. Jackie acknowledges the positive effects of Yoga and stated how it helped her cope with the grieving process. The positive results of her own experience convinced her to extend services to help others overcome similar challenges. She noted, "I had the desire to share the practices of yoga with others in the hopes of helping them move forward from whatever grief they have experienced and will continue to experience throughout their lives." Hope Yoga opened its doors on January 12, 2019 and has been steadily growing and expanding its services. In reflection Jackie said, "Hope Yoga was ultimately inspired by my parents Jim & Helen Walsh. Being from a very large family & support system has its perks but in this situation it felt like everyone was trying to tell me how I should be living my life and how I should be grieving. With opening Hope Yoga I wanted to remind people that there is no right or wrong way to grieve---yoga is simply a tool that helped me and I wanted to share that tool with others in the hopes that it would also help them.” She continued, “I took my time opening the studio and got a ton of experience teaching and also managing a studio so I could really hone in on how I wanted my studio to be different from others."

Pleased with the progress made so far, she said, "We've helped so many people with their grieving processes and I really feel like I am fulfilling my life's mission with this space and community." Earlier, Jackie has worked in; retail and customer service, as a bartender and server, a race manager at Hermes Sports & Events, helped to open and manage Stella & Shay Beauty Bar in Westlake and taught yoga in a number of settings (in studios, events, private classes, for companies & free classes). "I knew yoga was what I was most interested in and I had found my life's purpose with it but I wanted to get a lot of experience before opening my own studio." Jackie says, "I managed a studio in Olmsted Falls, taught at several others and was able to really make my studio exactly how I wanted it, learning what I liked and didn't like and how I wanted to set myself apart from others." With a bold mission to "use the practices of yoga to move with the many griefs we face throughout our lives and become courageously optimistic, having a better sense of self & becoming an impactful member of the community," Hope Yoga has crafted different programs to better suit its customers. It offers weekly yoga classes, monthly workshops and events, private lessons and corporate yoga. Classes are offered in-studio, online and in their outdoor Hope Yoga Oasis. Jackie says, "At Hope Yoga we understand that you have a unique body and we want to empower you to make the choices you need in order to get the most out of your practice. Whether you're brand new to yoga or you've been practicing for years, you'll always find modifications

and support in each of our classes. We can't wait to welcome you home." In only three years since becoming operational, Hope Yoga has welcomed over 1,900 students with 21,699 visits. There are several options for students to practice Yoga to suit their schedule. As for fees, introductory offer for new students for 21 days of Yoga is $59. Monthly unlimited membership is $115 and includes 10% off of retail, private lessons and events. Yearly Unlimited Membership is $1300 which has the same perks as the monthly unlimited membership but also includes a free buddy pass every month, private member only Facebook group and free quarterly member only events. Jackie had role models and mentors who played a significant role in shaping her who she is today and is grateful to them. In this regard, she gets a lot of inspiration and support from Kacee Must, owner of Citizen Yoga Studios in Detroit, Evan Scharfield, owner of a nonprofit called Cultivate Yoga and Jacki Carr. Jackie and her Hope Yoga Studio have made it a monthly routine to give back to the local community through different ways. These include physical donations, raising funds or collecting items by offering special classes or events, raising awareness, or volunteering time to help those in need. They also plan to volunteer at the Cleveland Food Bank this winter as well as collect donations for local charities and nonprofits that could really use their help. Continued on next page...

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Jackie has huge plans moving forward. Next for Jackie and her Studio is to continue growing weekly class schedules so as to offer up different time slots to fit the needs of anyone who wants to practice with them. Further, experienced teachers from abroad will come to lead trainings for yoga teachers seeking continued education and for students who want to further their knowledge and understanding of yoga. More retreats locally and internationally are also in the horizon so students can be immersed in the practices of yoga and expand their horizons through travel. Honing in on the studio's mission of grief relief and adding in more programming geared specifically towards grief--with in person options as well as an online database for students to turn to in their own time will also be continued on a wider scale.

Happy Holidays From All Of Us At

Jackie earnestly believes that each and every person can benefit from the practices of yoga regardless of their barriers of entry and stressed that yoga is and can be made accessible to all. "I think the biggest thing that we need to focus on is letting go of yoga as just a physical practice where everyone is already super fit and looks and acts a certain way." She says. "Showing people that there is much more to yoga than what they immediately think of and all the stereotypes out there is key to getting people to try it out and see what works for them." Her meësages to young girls & the community are "to stay true to who you are and to make choices that are aligned with what you believe in--not straying because you think something would be more well perceived, liked or profitable. I'd say that slowing down and taking a closer look within will allow you to create a more fulfilling, balanced & happy life."

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Life has also taught Jackie a few hard lessons along the way. "Don't be afraid to get out of your comfort zone, dive deeper, keep pushing yourself forward regardless of the bad things that may happen--some of the worst things that have happened to me in my life have been the greatest lessons I needed to learn." She advises. "We all experience pain, trauma, loss and we don't have to do it alone--lean into support, seek out help and reach out to others to check in-chances are that you can relate to many more people than you think you can & when we share our experiences we have the opportunity to help others." Closing the interview, Jackie said, "I encourage students to try all different types of classes, teachers, studios and styles to fit their own needs. Being new to something always feels uncomfortable and challenging but the more we can push ourselves out of our comfort zones the more we can learn to heal, grow & thrive in our everyday lives." To learn more visit: hopeyogacle.com

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Sherri White

Founder And CEO, My Sister's Keeper Cleveland

Sherri then joined Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C), and earned an Associate of Arts degree minoring in Microcomputer Applications and to pursue her dreams of furthering her education, she visited many local colleges and what stood out for her was Notre Dame College in South Euclid. Unfortunately her preferred field of study, Information Technology (IT) was not offered and so she had to change her major to Business Administration. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Breast Cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the US and about 1 in 8 women develop invasive breast cancer during their life. Each year in the US, about 255,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women and about 2,300 in men. Supporting and uplifting communities affected by breast cancer and other forms of cancer is the primary focus of 'My Sister's Keeper-Cleveland, (MySKCle)', a service based organization established "to surround women undergoing cancer treatment with a supportive community." Sherri White, a phenomenal woman and proud Clevelander is the founder and CEO of My Sister's KeeperCleveland. She also serves as Operations Manager in Medicine Administration at MetroHealth. Recently we touched base with Sherri to learn more about her vision, her struggle and the work she is doing for her beloved community. The second youngest in a family of seven children, Sherri hails from a typical Midwestern family. Her dad worked at Ford Motor Company and her mom stayed at home to take care of the large family and home. "My dad was a hard worker and encouraged all his children to be proactive and strive to make a good wage that wasn't too taxing on us mentally or physically." She reveals. Young Sherri grew up in a neighborhood very close to Case Western Reserve University, the school she envied and never thought she was 'able' to attend. "I mean, I was a black girl who lived in the hood, who didn't learn fractions until I went to community college. The thought of attending this school was just a dream of mine that I did not set my mind achieving because I thought it was impossible to achieve." She explained. 12 ▒ NOV - DEC 2021

Grateful to the unwavering support she received, she said, "Notre Dame College is a private catholic college where many of the teachers, at that time, were nuns. Throughout my experience at this school, the notion of support, sisterhood, and community was deeply felt and was reflected in relationships forged in my journey." Looking back on her childhood and education, she clearly sees sparks of what was meant for her appearing in isolated occurrences. She said, "I went from wanting to be an architect, to a computer programmer to business management. However, all those elements are still embedded within me. I enjoy building processes (architect) and utilizing computer applications (information technology) to make tasks and processes simpler. I believe nothing can be done without the collaboration and camaraderie of a supportive and encouraging network. For this I strive to create effective teams and help to encourage and develop the individual and team to reach their full potential (business management)." Earlier in her career Sherri worked as Voice Communications Specialist, and held various administrative and operational positions within the nation's top rated hospitals; Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals and currently in MetroHealth Systems. Her extensive experience in the healthcare industry has gained her invaluable lessons in honing her skills and said "each one prepared me for the next." Sherri got the inspiration to establish My Sister's KeeperCleveland because of her personal grueling story. At a very young age of 32, she was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. She vividly remembers the call she received from her doctor informing her she had cancer. "I thought my life was ending and started living to die. All I knew

about cancer is what I saw on movies that ended in death." She continued, "I wanted to talk to someone who had been where I was at that moment, to truly understand what will happen to me. I could not find anyone. My friends and family tried to help and told me stories that did not help me but made me even more scared." The effects of the diagnosis seriously affected her emotionally, physically and mentally. Nonetheless, Sherri not only overcame these challenges, but she established an organization that provides care and much needed support to other cancer patients. "My cancer journey was not easy by no means. While there were multiple surgeries and side effects from chemotherapy, the hardest battle to overcome is the psychological and emotional cage I built around myself. These emotional and physical scars from cancer will never leave me and have become a part of who I am today." She said. Undeterred by these challenges, Sherri decided to attend the school of her teenage dreams – Case Western Reserve University and in 2015, earned a Masters degree in Positive Organizational Development and Change. She noted "receiving this degree was not prompted for advancement in my career, but for my own personal growth – this was for me and me alone."

"One day, it was like my eyes were closed and suddenly opened. I looked around me and saw all that everyone was doing for me – taking my children to school, bringing us dinner, cutting our grass, taking out trash, and so much more. At that time, I realized that the reason why everyone was looking at me with worry and fear was because that was a result of the energy I projected. Yes, I felt like a stranger in my own body but decided I would embrace it." Sherri continued, "At that time, I decided to live and started my self-renovation plan. I changed my outward appearance and started wearing makeup, dresses, heels, etc. This started to make me feel noticeably better in the inside as well. The looks I received now resembled hope and I too became hopeful. I was no longer living to die; I was living to live." Her long thought idea was brought to full fruition and My Sister's Keeper-Cleveland was established with a mission to "surround women undergoing cancer treatment with a supportive community." Her commitment, she says is, "to provide a true voice to what cancer is and to be there to help other women along the way, I wanted to speak truth into cancer." While My Sister's Keeper- Cleveland (MySKCle) was formed under the story of breast cancer, it has grown and has helped women with any type of cancer such as ovarian, lung, colon, and even skin cancer. Sherri noted, "The women in our program are called our 'sisters' as we fully embrace this notion." Each year, to raise awareness in the community, MySKCle hosts an annual walk called “A Walk in Her Shoes”. These walks are intentionally planned to take place in a designated community for two consecutive years. The first two years, the walk was held in the Collinwood Community of St. Clair Avenue informing those who

passed by that cancer happens here too. The third year was held virtual due to the pandemic. This had allowed them to cross state lines as they now help women in Texas, Kentucky, and Chicago. The 4th Annual Walk will be held in the Buckeye Community where it will be next year. While her initiative, 'Pretty in Pink Cancer Awareness Fashion Show', scheduled to take place last year was cancelled to keep everyone safe, the event is scheduled to once again be held for the Spring of 2022. Throughout her cancer journey Sherri learned the impact and importance of self-esteem as well as how the opinion/stares of others impact an individual. "I believe that because I started to embrace my womanhood, during a time I felt it was lost, I was able to feel more confident and beautiful. Feeling beautiful was a quality that needed to feel and believe. Because of this, I strive to make every one of my sisters feel beautiful inside and out." She continued, "while our motto is to revitalize the spirit of womanhood, we also strive to strengthen the relationship amongst women. We host weekly prayer groups, monthly educational forums various experts, and are there to listen and help as we are needed."

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MySKCle not only focuses on encouraging healthy emotional and mental health, but it also strives to reduce the levels of stress that 'sisters' may endure so that they can focus more on healing. This includes services CLEVELAND such as lawn care, bill payment assistance, holiday dinners, and much more. Sherri said, "We are a part of a statewide database where we can submit social service referrals on behalf of our sisters and their families. These referrals include job placement assistance, eviction mediation, and much more."

Operating and smoothly running such an organization takes a huge toll physically as well as financially. Thanks to the support she got from partners, her programs are well underway. Partner organizations who keep her organization moving include; iSalon Plus DME, The Evolution Through Mind Body and Spirit Wellness Center, the Black Nurses Society, A Resin to Play, Hamilton Strategy Co., and Sephora and the New Life Cathedral Missionary Baptist Church, and the women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Lambda Phi Omega Chapter. At MetroHealth, Sherrie serves as Operations Manager of Medical Specialties. In her capacity, she helps improve processes/create procedures to augment the mission of the organization. This also includes helping her team realize and meet their potential. "I think of my job as someone who pulls the pieces together. I must understand the expectations of our stakeholders and the capability and/or barriers of those involved. Once that is known, I must work to create a system that satisfies both groups." She continued, "Many times, this includes using technology to do the work for us quicker than we can. At other times, it is developing the skills of a team member to allow them to be successful or creating workflows to improve operations."

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I felt that I not only was making a difference in the community but was also was embraced by my team at MetroHealth. As soon as I got the news, I shared it with the MySKCle team as this also awarded us with a donation of $500 to support our mission. This award allowed my family to feel a sense of pride as well as a sign was placed outside of my family home for a week." According to Sherri, the current major health care problem is faced with long wait periods to see a provider due to lack of resources and an increased demand in some specialists. But, she encourages neighborhoods to make use of available providers such as community health centers, free clinics, and other facilities that provide services to communities. Moreover, since the pandemic, the use of telehealth has increased and has been used to assess patients virtually and order necessary testing to identify and mitigate issues. In Sherri's opinion, problems with healthcare also include a perceived lack of humanity and our own individual fears. "I can recall numerous times where I felt my color caused providers to quickly diagnose me just to move on to another patient who looked more like them. I also recall a few times when I had been pushed aside in healthcare so that care could be provided to someone who had significantly greater financial means than I do."

On each step of the ladder, Sherri strives to create effective teams and helps to encourage and develop the individual and team to reach their full potential. Her employer, MetroHealth, is a backbone of the community and plays an essential role in the region, caring for anyone and everyone, regardless of an ability to pay. MetroHealth serves 'more than 300,000 patients, two-thirds of whom are uninsured or covered by Medicare or Medicaid.' Given the large volume of services it delivers and limitations on available funds, it had to install efficient systems. Here also Sherri and her team play an important role in achieving this goal. "I work to improve our access to the community. In a few of the departments I oversee, we are not able to keep up with the volume of calls to schedule procedures that were ordered. This would cause many complaints filed regarding long hold times or the inability to get through to the office." She said, "To help streamline operations, I worked with our Information Technology team to learn of the capabilities of our electronic medical record (EMR) system and redesigned our orders to allow patients to self-schedule via EMR mobile appt. I enjoy troubleshooting and bridging the gaps within any process." Throughout her career, Sherri has understood that one person doesn't make a system work and that it takes a team, and those teams must function collaboratively and work towards the same mission to be successful. She strongly believes that to become a leader or manager, 'you must understand the roles for which you are leading.' She also says, nothing can be done without the collaboration and camaraderie of a supportive and encouraging network. In recognition of her exemplary works, Sherri has been recognized as a 2020 MetroHealth Shero. Excited on her award, she said, "I was nominated by one of my employees and it warmed my heart in more than one way. 14 ▒ NOV - DEC 2021

Overall, "my theory is becoming an advocate for yourself, this means knowing who you are, inside and out, finding providers whom you can call partners, asking questions if you do not understand, and making yourself politely heard." She said, "To tackle the issues, we need to listen to what our bodies are telling us, seek medical guidance and find a provider with whom you can build a positive and trusting relationship with. Healthcare can help mitigate the issue by creating a system that better represents the community for which it serves." In the course of her works, Sherri has benefited from numerous mentors. She particularly cited, Dr. James K. Stroller for 'placing me on projects that developed my critical thinking skills and encouraged me to be innovative. This helped to build my confidence as a professional.' Sherri has dedicated a considerable time to supporting numerous non-profit organizations as making a positive impact in another person's life is what makes her happy. When she is not working, she enjoys spending quality time with her children, Madison & Makensie, 16 and Torrean 22. "I encourage them to make decisions in their life that makes them feel good about themselves. They often tell me that they are proud of me and the work that I do. This in itself, makes all that I do even more gratifying. Other than making myself proud, I want my children to be proud of me." She said. Moving forward, Sherri plans to enhance the work of My Sister's Keeper-Cleveland by increasing partnerships with local businesses, grow mentorship programs and officially expand its' reach by incorporating a My Sister's KeeperKentucky, and other similar initiatives. To the young girls, Sherrie said, "never let where you come from limit where you will go. Through cancer, I have learned the importance of self-esteem. Do not let others define who you are. In everything you do, become the person you can be proud of." To the community, she stressed "please learn about your family history (heritage, medical, etc.) and take the necessary preventive measures such as diagnostics screening and becoming your own advocate by learning more about illnesses that ravage our community." <

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Photos: JASON GARRETT

16 ▒ NOV - DEC 2021

Dr. CARLA HARWELL Improving Health in Cleveland One Patient At a Time By Shelley Shockley PWM MANAGING EDITOR At the tender age of five, young Carla Harwell sat in the Radiology Department of the now-defunct Mt. Sinai Hospital waiting for her mom to get off of work, and observed, “all these white men in white coats,” walking through the halls. Always inquisitive Carla inquired, “Mama, what do they do?” Her mom, a secretary in the Radiology Department explained these men were doctors, which of course led to another question, “what do doctors do.” Her mom explained that they help people, they make sick people get well. From that day on, Carla Harwell had her career path in sight. As she grew and matriculated through the Cleveland public school system it was clear that young Carla developed a love for science which she recalls as “a match made in heaven.” Today, Dr. Carla Harwell serves as the Medical Director for University Hospitals Otis Moss Jr. Health Center, a position she has held for more than two decades. Phenomenal Woman sat down with Dr. Harwell at the Medical Center to learn more about her journey and the current state of healthcare for communities of color. As we made ourselves comfortable in an examination room, Dr. Harwell began with the story of her parents and their migration from the south to Cleveland seeking a better life for their family. The family consisted of her parents and two daughters and they settled in the Union Avenue area of the city. The family mantra Harwell recalls was, “My sister and I were to do one step better than they did,” and since neither of her parents attended college, it was clear their children would finish high school and go on to college. Dr. Harwell fondly speaks of her parents who were not rich in terms of finances, they provided for their family and their daughters never felt the struggle of life. She said, “My dad never worked less than two to three jobs to make a better life for his family.” While she grew up in inner-city Cleveland she said she never knew there were some disadvantages or inequities. The family she recalls always had food to eat, new clothes to wear and they took minivacations. While attending John Adams High School Dr. Harwell began to experience some of the biases many young black children experience. At the time high school started in the tenth grade and her first and only encounter with the Guidance Counselor set the stage for the marginalization that others would attempt. She recalled, “The counselor

said so what do you want to do, what do you think you want to be, I said I want to be a doctor.” In turn, the counselor sought to dissuade young Carla from taking this path by suggesting while looking her in the eye, “Oh, why don't you just be a nurse? to which Carla, looked her square back in the eye and said, `Because I don't want to be a nurse, I want to be a doctor.'” The lack of support from the school counselor did not deter Harwell who went on to graduate in the top 5% of her class and navigated her way through the college admissions and financial aid maze to attend the University of Cincinnati. She explained, “Because my parents didn't go to college they didn't know anything about the ACT or SAT or how to apply and where to apply. I was too stubborn and strong-willed to go back to that counselor, someone who didn't support my decision of what I wanted to be.” The actions of her counselor were mild compared to the experiences she would have at the University of Cincinnati. She said, “When I went to the University of Cincinnati I was slapped in the face with realizing what I didn't have.” College introduced this inner-city young woman to the “haves and have nots.” This difference came in the form of books and classes, “I didn't know that there were new books, I never had a new book until I went to college. We always had used books.” Astonished she said, “I have to buy a book, and it's going to be new? The binders aren't broken and there's no writing already in it!”

“

We’ve moved the needle a little bit, we have seen a shift in the needle with admissions of underrepresented minorities in medical school.

“

Then she learned about AP (Advanced Placement) classes, something else she had never heard of or taken at John Adams. As an exemplary student, she had taken all of the math classes offered, but Calculus was not one of them. To begin her collegiate career she would have to enroll in PreCalculus in order to catch up with her peers who were very familiar with AP classes.

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As Harwell recounts her journey without mentioning it, it is clear that her parents insulated their children from the harsh realities of the world. Many would fold when faced with the jarring obstacles she met as one of thirteen premed majors, but adversity has the opposite effect on Dr. Harwell, she focuses even harder and keeps the train moving. To start out one of 13, and be the lone-standing graduate takes determination and a plan. She said, “I didn't go out and party because I was focused and I didn't give in to the temptations that people being away from home for the first time with that type of freedom do, I always had my parents in my ear telling me that I can be anything I wanted to be, I wanted to be a doctor since I was 5-years-old. I was focused..” This laser vision also helped her overcome the challenge of racism. Often she found herself in classes or labs and no one in the room looked like her, therefore they weren't gravitating to her when it was time to choose a partner. She recalled a time when the isolation and bigotry were overwhelming during a Chemistry Lab. With her hand raised to ask a question, she watched as the Teaching Assistant went from student to student all while ignoring her call for help. This was one of the few days she recalls going to her room feeling defeated, but quitting was not in her spirit, “I keep fighting and pushing through.” This level of tenacity served her well when she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. When asked about the double major she explained, “So I was a pre-med biology major and I took so many psychology electives, going into my senior year I had so many psychology classes, that if I stayed two more quarters I could get another bachelor so that's what I did.” Armed with two undergraduate degrees, Harwell returned home to Cleveland and took what she describes as a “circuitous route to graduate school.” Initially, this was not her plan, she applied to medical school and was waitlisted (we want you, but we have others we want more) at a 18 ▒ NOV - DEC 2021

couple of schools, leaving her to make a decision. When you're on the waitlist you have been accepted and that acceptance lasts a year, meaning that for the next academic year you can attend the school. So, armed with a 'free year,' Harwell took a job to train as a dialysis technician. This was only meant to be a filler until the next fall when school began, but “You're talking about a girl who never worked a job in her life, I never had summer jobs, my parents always said you concentrate on the books,” she continued, “So, I'm 21 back home, never had a job in my life and I was making probably $10 an hour, and that was big money back then. I'm living at home, no bills, parents not charging me no rent, I'm banking checks like there is no tomorrow.” This newfound 'wealth' turned one year into a couple of years. Harwell knew the position didn't have the potential for real growth and said, “Thank goodness that even the people at the Dialysis Unit were like, Carla get out of here. This was not going to be my career.” As her mind began shifting back to her ultimate goal, she realized that during her undergraduate studies she had never participated in any bench research prompting her to investigate post-baccalaureate programs before entering medical school. She wasn't sure if she wanted to do an MDPhD but thought this move could strengthen her application after being dormant for two years. At the same time, the television show Wheel of Fortune was touring the country looking for contestants and they had a stop in Cleveland. Harwell went to the audition and made it, giving her one year to fly out to California and tape the show. She chose her Mom as her travel partner and that April she ventured off to tape the show and look at schools on the west coast. She applied and was accepted at California State-Longbeach to see if she liked bench research. “I hated it. I'm too much of a people person,” she said. She immediately began applying to medical schools that would get her back home and while she was accepted into several schools she chose her alma mater.

Throughout her journey believers would say that Dr. Harwell had angels watching over her, and her return to Cleveland reinforces that belief. While in her fourth year of medical school she heard of a new Clerkship at University Hospitals founded by then- co-chief of staff Dr. Edgar B. Jackson, Jr. The Clerkship was named after Dr. David Satcher, the first African American to graduate with his MD Ph.D. from the Case Medical Science Training Program. Satcher was also 16th Surgeon General of the United States and former Secretary for Health in the Department of Health and Human Services. This position Dr. Harwell explained, “was for underrepresented minorities to come and do a one month rotation at University Hospitals with the goal of then coming there for residency and ultimately staying on as full-time Academic faculty.” Harwell was accepted into the program. “I loved it, they loved me, and I ranked them number one (for Residency choice) and I got into University Hospitals for my residency in Internal Medicine,” she recalled. After completing the three year residency she stayed on as a full-time academic faculty. In the 28 years since the establishment of the Clerkship hundreds of doctors have been chosen for the Clerkship, but until this year Dr. Harwell is the only physician to see the program through and become a full-time academic faculty member. As noted, the Satcher Clerkship was established to begin to help recruit and retain the underrepresented into the field, and unfortunately this is something that persists. Dr. Harwell attributes the problem to a 'pipeline' issue, explaining, “There are pipeline issues of why we haven't seen a huge increase in underrepresented minorities going into medicine. When I say pipeline issues, I mean you have to start young, even as young as elementary school in getting kids interested in the field of medicine.” She noted the push for STEM (Science Technology Engineering Medicine), but this push maybe to get kids interested in the sciences, maybe not necessarily in the field of medicine.” On an individual level she mentors junior and high school students who are interested in the field of medicine. She explained, “That's one reason why I try to give back and be a part of the pipeline. I will mentor junior high and high school students that are remotely interested in the field of medicine and give them the opportunity to come down here and shadow me. So they can see the job first hand.” On a more advanced level she works with recruitment efforts as an Associate Program Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at UH. Along with pre-Covid going out into the community talking about careers in medicine as well as talking to the community about health issues. Another reason Harwell has a spirit to give back is the assistance she was given as a young resident. Dr. Edgar B. Jackson, founder of the Satcher Clerkship was Dr. Harwell's mentor. She described him as “my mentor and my father in medicine.” Throughout the years, Jackson saw the potential in Harwell and helped pave the way for the career she has made in Cleveland. These efforts, she said, help, “We've moved the needle a little bit, we have seen a shift in the needle with admissions of underrepresented minorities in medical school.” Continued on next page... www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 19

Dr. Harwell said Landing at University Hospitals Otis Moss Jr. Health Center “was nothing short of God,” she continued, “This center was built while I was still in residency, and again Dr. Jackson said, “I know the person that will be great for this medical center.” Once again, before she had received her credentials Harwell had her eye on the next step. She said, “I interviewed for that as a senior resident in my third year residency, but the center was due to open so they waited for me to graduate and come to this position.” The Center opened one year before she graduated and the position was filled, but held for her to take over after graduation. She recalled, “I graduated June 30, 1998 and started here July 6, 1998. This is the only place I have ever been.” When discussing her choice for a specialty she explained, “I chose internal medicine because I wanted to practice in a field of medicine where I really got to know my patients. Specialists get to know their patients as well, but with specialty care you might see someone once, twice a year and you're only addressing that issue.” In common terms she said, “ You're something like a jack of all trades, and master of none. I can take care of a little bit of everything and then know when to refer.” As a people person she doesn't regret her choice in spite of some of the many challenges she faced to become the doctor she visualized at five, but also the bias she encountered even after receiving her credentials. All of these obstacles don't compare, she said, to the satisfaction she sees in the eyes of her patients. She said, “I can not tell you how many patients are happy they have a black doctor.” Even with the joy of having a black doctor, the distrust of the medical community is prevalent in the black community. As with all of the other obstacles that drives

Dr. Harwell to continue fighting, “one patient at a time,” to make a difference. When working to break that cycle of mistrust she said, “I tell patients the doctor-patient relationship is like what a marriage should be, it should be fifty-fifty. You're the captain of your ship, I'm the first mate. My job is to educate you and guide you, but nobody is going to take better care of you than you.” As a member of the community, Harwell is familiar with the nuances and can relate offering analogies that include, “Some of us take better care of our cars than we do ourselves, we make sure the car is waxed, clean, the rims are shining, then you come to see me and you haven't taken your blood pressure medicine in over a month. That's not the way this is supposed to go,” going further she said, “The Bible says your body is God's temple, you're supposed to take care of your temple. So patients are also happy that they have a Christian doctor, you know that they have a doctor who believes in God.” As the Coronavirus continues to rage Dr. Harwell offers this wisdom to patients, “I am more afraid of Covid than I am the vaccine,” while explaining that the same standard regulations and rigid regulations that were followed for this vaccine are the same as it has been for every other vaccination in the United States.” Always encouraging others, Dr. Harwell advises young people interested in medicine, “If that's your goal, or your passion, pursue your dream. First and foremost stick to it, don't lose that, don't let anyone or anything sway you from that. Find someone to mentor you, that's key.” Dr. Harwell balances her busy career as a wife and mother and when asked how, she replied, “I do what black women have done historically through the ages, you just do it.”<

Residency, Internal Medicine - University Hospitals Of Cleveland

Internship, Internal Medicine - University Hospitals Of Cleveland

Medical Education, University Of Cincinnati

Undergraduate, University Of Cincinnati

Board Certification, Internal Medicine - American Board of Internal Medicine

Medical Director, Douglas J. Moore Clinic, UH Cleveland Medical Center

Medical Director, UH Otis Moss Jr. Health Center, UH Cleveland Medical Center

Serves as an Associate Professor of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine.

Nationally recognized as a leader in health care disparities education and medical issues affecting minorities

Top Doc, US News and World Report, 2011-2019

Regional Top Doctor, Castle Connolly, 2014

Has served as a clinic preceptor and resident mentor for many years

Has received numerous awards and honors

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