Good Deeds Magazine - Salute To Healthcare Professionals by Sunday Publishing Company

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Five stress relief exercises What is Wellbeing

Salute to Healthcare Professional WE CELEBRATING YOU!

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Table of Contents 03 04 08 10 13 18

From the Editor

Dr. Danielle Ottosen

Bethany Nabors Five stress relief exercises by Cynthia Baker

32 36

Jillian Simpson

Dr. Stanley Okoro

Moneisha White

Dr. Maiysha T. Clairborne

Dr. Ivy M. Bagley

What is Wellbeing?

Grace Latonja

Tangie Henry

Benjil Lightfoot

It is with great joy to say to you that you are a MIRACLE & you have Greatness in and outside of you

Dr. Renee Sunday THE PLATFORM BUILDER

VISIONARY OF GOOD DEEDS MAGAZINE 3

Today, the women I help have an effortless relationship with food through mindful eating

n e s o t t O e l l e i n a D . Dr At the core of her profession and her business, Dr. Danielle helps women find their balance - A healthy body, mind, and soul. Danielle's goal is to help women walk free from the voices of diet culture and embrace that a number on the scale does not equate to worth, health, or happiness.

What do you enjoy most about your profession and why did you choose it in the first place? What was the inspiration for your company/project? At the core of my profession and my business, I help women find their balance - A healthy body, mind, and soul. It is my goal to help women walk free from the voices of diet culture and embrace that a number on the scale does not equate to worth, health, or happiness. Today, the women I help have an effortless relationship with food through mindful eating. They have found peace with their bodies by letting go of toxic thoughts that they are flawed. They built healthy, sustainable habits by choosing foods and activities that give them energy, rather than deplete them. Most importantly, they can look in the mirror to appreciate the person looking back at them. My mission is personal to me. I was a child when I started hating my body, a journey that led to unhappiness and unhealthy behaviors. In addition, when reading statistics about women’s body image my heart breaks. A staggering 83% of women are unhappy with their bodies and use diets to achieve their ideal body shape, while only 4% of women are willing to call themselves beautiful.

Danielle@DoctorBeneFIT.net @DanielleDoctorBeneFIT @doctor_benefit https://www.doctorbenefit.net/

Tell us about any new projects or endeavors you have coming up (or recently completed). I am most excited about a recent project I just completed. After running several beta programs, I finished developing a three-month mindset makeover program. The philosophy of the program is “When things change inside of you, things change around you.” The purpose of the program is to empower women to overcome chronic yo-yo dieting and poor body image by helping them create an effortless relationship with food through mindful eating. While making peace with their bodies by eliminating toxic thinking often fueled by beauty and diet culture. Furthermore, they built healthy, sustainable habits for a lifestyle change.

Tell us about your community involvement – what you are passionate about outside of work and home and why/how you participate? I am extremely passionate about giving back to my community through my involvement in Multiple Sclerosis Foundation and Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. My community involvement ranges from participating in awareness fundraisers, walks, and car shows. Both foundations are close to my heart due to the personal impact of these diseases. My mother passed away from complications due to MS and my father suffered from Crohn’s for many years. In addition, I give back to my community through my work with reintegrating male and female offenders back into the community. I provide substance abuse counseling services to incarcerated offenders who will be releasing to society. I view this community involvement as two-sided. It is my goal to help reduce recidivism rates, which benefits both the offender, as well as the communities with which they are releasing and residing.

Any advice to someone wanting to be a part of the health industry? Anyone who has a desire to be a part of the health industry, go for it! It is an incredibly rewarding field. There are so many possibilities and directions that people can take within the industry. There are endless niches and infinite ways you can help people. I truly could not image doing anything else.

From where do you draw inspiration? Who have been your role models, mentors, etc? My daily inspiration comes from the incredible women I have built relationships with over the years. Cheryl Hunter and Allie Bjerk have been my business mentors. The most inspirational characteristics of these women is their impeccable story-telling powers. They have a beautiful knack of grabbing their audiences’ attention with ease and grace. Gabby Bernstein, Rachel Pederson, and Amy Porterfield have been my top role models, both in the entrepreneur realm, as well as mindset and confidence building sphere. The most inspiring aspect of these women is that they all built extraordinary businesses, while coming from humble backgrounds.

What do you do for fun/relaxation/entertainment? For fun and relaxation, I participate in Orange Theory classes and lift weights in the gym. I find these activities to be beneficial for my overall health; especially, my emotional wellbeing. For me, these activities are a form of active meditation and stress management. My husband and I love to cook together, as well as hike and take our daughter to the park.

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers? Health is not about chasing a number on the scale or fitting into society’s definition of the ideal body image. Health is not just what you eat. Health is not following the newest diet fad. Health IS how you feel on the inside. Most importantly, health IS what you think, say, and believe about yourself. When things change inside you, things change around you!

"It takes a special person to go the extra step and to be a positive light in a patient’s life."

s r o b a N y Bethan Bethany Nabors is a Radiologic Technologist, a 39-year-old, God fearing, fun-spirited, and a single mother of one daughter named Mi’chael. Mi'chael is her joy and her inspiration. Also, She has one sibling, her brother Brian, who challenges her to go above and beyond her wildest dreams. She comes from a religious family. Her father is a pastor and her mom is a musician and a retired nurse. Her parents are very supportive of everything she’d like to accomplish in life. She has been a radiologic technologist (x-ray technologist) for 16 years at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, AL. She was a graduate of Jefferson State Community College with a degree in Radiologic Sciences. She wears many hats. She trained in trauma, the operating room, cardiovascular and fluoroscopic procedures; as well as being a relief supervisor. Her job gives her something different each and every day. She loves a challenge and She's willing to accept everything that is given to her.

Bethany Nabors

bnblakley@hotmail.com 8

What do you enjoy most about your profession and why did you choose it in the first place? What was the inspiration for your company/project? What I enjoy most x-raying is that I am the first person to see the problem first hand before the doctors (for example, a broken bone or pneumonia, etc.). I love helping people and want the best for everyone. Honestly, Radiology was not my first passion. It was nursing, but after missing the entrance exam by one point, I decided to do the next best thing. I had an interest in machines and my college counselor inspired me to look into Radiology. It was the best option for me, because I loved working with machines and wanted to help people in the healthcare field. I truly can say it was the best decision I ever made.

Tell us about any new projects or endeavors you have coming up (or recently completed). As of now, my plans are to teach radiology lab in a radiologic program for x-ray techs in the near future. I currently train incoming techs on the protocols and procedures in Diagnostic Radiology.

Tell us about your community involvement – what you are passionate about outside of work and home and why/how you participate? I am currently the vice-president of the youth board of my church. We teach our youth to always give back to the community. We do this through festivals, feeding the homeless, and by having different youth activities that involve the neighborhoods around the church. Our youth are big participants in all the events we give to the community.

Any advice to someone wanting to be a part of the health industry? My advice would be to make sure you get into healthcare for the love of the career, not just for money. It takes a special person to go the extra step and to be a positive light in a patient’s life. Sometimes people just need a listening ear.

Five stress relief exercises by Cynthia Baker Are you dealing with stress most of the day and have pressure at work? Then it is essential to take a break or else you will be exhausted. Our body is neither a machine nor are we robots. As human, our body needs proper attention, and we must care for our physical and mental health. 1.Exercise: How does exercise relief stress: Exercise plays a crucial role in our fitness. By staying fit, you will be able to maintain both physical and mental health. Regular activities play a vital role in dealing with your stress by reducing anxiety and depression. Exercise helps you to relieve stress by increasing the level of your endorphin hormone. These are also known as the feel-good hormone of our body. Exercise is one of the most important things you can do to combat stress. The benefits are strongest when you exercise regularly. People who exercise regularly are less likely to experience anxiety . 10

There are a few reasons behind this: Stress hormones: Exercise lowers your body’s stress hormones — such as cortisol — in the long run. It also helps release endorphins, which are chemicals that improve your mood and act as natural painkillers. Sleep: Exercise can also improve your sleep quality, which can be negatively affected by stress and anxiety. Confidence: When you exercise regularly, you may feel more competent and confident in your body, which in turn promotes mental wellbeing. Walking: Walking is probably the most effective and easiest way to relieve stress. Trust me; if you are walking in your balcony, roof, or even in the house, you are going to have a lot of its benefits. According to studies, people who go for a walk have a lower stress level compared to the ones who don’t go for a walk. 11

2. Dancing: If you want to reduce stress in a fun way, then dancing is a good option. The good thing about it is that there are no rules to follow. You will not only feel relaxed and happy but will enjoy many health benefits. 3. Light a candle: Using essential oils or burning a scented candle may help reduce your feelings of stress and anxiety. Some scents are soothing, especially lavender and Frankincense. 4. Reduce your caffeine intake: Caffeine is a stimulant found in coffee, tea, chocolate and energy drinks. High doses can increase anxiety. People have different thresholds for how much caffeine they can tolerate. If you notice that caffeine makes you jittery or anxious, consider cutting back. 5. Write it down: One way to handle stress is to write things down. While recording what you’re stressed about is one approach, another is jotting down what you’re grateful for. Gratitude may help relieve stress and anxiety by focusing your thoughts on what’s positive in your life. 12

"The time is to live your best life in meaning discovering your calling and allowing it to run wild." What do you enjoy most about your profession, and why did you choose it in the first place? What I enjoy most about my profession is caring and serving my patients and discovering more about them and their lives. Having opportunities to be a blessing as I assist them with post-surgical care and overall recovery. I was encouraging them as well in the healing process.

n o s p m i S Jillian

The Home Care profession was incepted by me, desiring to try something new. I began the journey as a certified medical assistant; next, I leaped FAITH, venturing into Home Care as a Non-Certified Nursing Assistant. A Home Care Agency hired me in the community I previously resided in, Paulding County. It was then through this employment that I fell in love with Home Care services. One thing I realized early on that this specific area of Healthcare was truly a "calling." Being a Medical Assistant was a personal choice, but skilled nursing Home Care was orchestrated by divine purpose in service to others. As time passed, I pursued getting certified as a CNA in April 2015. Strategically I began acquiring more knowledge and taking advantage of professional development training. The goal was to become the "BEST" CNA possible and establish excellence standards in inpatient care. 13

What was the inspiration for your company/project? The inspiration for my company is to bring love back into Home Care. Promote being inspirational for people to feel good again while on the journey of healing and wholeness in their body, mind, and spirits. They can smile and enjoy the precious jewels of life, which is acceptance, compassion, and competency to empower patients to get to a healthier place to reach optimal recovery. Create a safe place for every patient I meet, the no-judgment zone.

Tell us about any new projects or endeavors you have coming up (or recently completed). I have an online store name Post Surgery Restorative Care on the Bonfire website. Customers can order our shirts there. Each shirt has an inspirational message about celebrating healing, celebrating self, and embracing your becoming as a whole person. I am also adding Aromatherapy to the home care service to enhance the healing progress faster, safer, and painless surgery recovery.

Tell us about your community involvement – what you are passionate about outside of work and home and why/how you participate? I am passionate about helping my fellow nursing assistants discover their gifts and talents using their skills as a nursing assistant to the maximum capacity. There are so many avenues that nursing assistants can pursue their license; it about discovering self, having faith in self, being confident in self to pursue the dreams, and being wise enough to understand learning my craft never stop. I give financially to multiple nonprofit organizations in the Greater Area of Atlanta. I am a volunteer writer contributor for www.4cnas.com, an online magazine for nursing assistants and about nursing assistant's profession. To empower nursing assistants to speak because your voice matters and get involved in impacting where they work.

Any advice to someone wanting to be a part of the health industry? Have a heart of servitude by being prepared to come to serves, not to be served. Have a heart of compassion for all people. In the health industry, you will meet many people from all walks of life and are available to listen and know how to navigate their frustrations, hurts, emotional health issues, mental health issues, drug addictions, homelessness, and many other circumstances. Always be mindful of other people’s perspectives, meaning accepting and respecting others' views about life; it's not about who right or who wrong; it's about listening with open ears and an open heart. Become a student of learning in every aspect of life. Stay open to new opportunities; sometimes, they will come in unattractive and unpopular packages. You will find your calling to become successful in everything that you do in your profession. Have your own spiritual belief core values, you are going to experience ethical dilemmas, so you need to have a harbor. Develops a love for reading, the health industry says little, but it writes a lot. Lastly, get involved in committees and associations where connections are made, and opportunities are met. Get productive and ambitious healthcare mentors to navigate the healthcare profession because it is a jungle. Only the persistent and wise thrive in this industry. Be slow to anger when you are receiving constructive criticisms; it sharpens your skill-based and sharpens your mentality.

From where do you draw inspiration? Who have been your role models, mentors, etc.? God is my primary inspiration. God give me the inspiration and courage to be creative and bring more of me into this concierge post-surgery home care business. Secondly, my virtual mentors are Patrick Bet-David from Valuetainment, Les Brown, John Rohn, and Brian Tracy. My role models are Oprah and Tracie Ellis-Ross, and Suze Orman. These people have revolutionized my mentality about every area of my life, especially in business and finances. I am so grateful for these people. I like to keep my influencers small because I want congruency in each area of my life I am studying to become better.

What do you do for fun/relaxation/entertainment? I love hanging out with my daughter, Zora. I enjoy shopping, reading books, going to different coffee shops, watching my two favorite shows, Sex and the City, My Girlfriend Guide to Divorce, spending time with other family members, love romance/ comedy movies, and traveling. I love listening to music of many genres, and dancing is my favorite pastime.

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers? The time is to live your best life in meaning discovering your calling and allowing it to run wild. Fear will show up, but you have the power to be redirected to become your accelerator to a brighter future. Love life, love yourself, embrace your journey because its purpose is to refine you, not hinder you. Love God put him first in everything that you do, and he will genuinely guide you higher than you ever could alone.

@postsurgerycareatlanta @AtlantaPost @postsurgerycareatlanta Jillian Simpson CMA, CNA, CRNA, CHPNA jilliansimpson@postsurgeryatlanta.org

For booking purposes, prospective clients can book their services with Post Surgery Care Of Atlanta, LLC through all except for Twitter and LinkedIn.

https://www.postsurgeryatlanta.org 16

"Enhance your look, enjoy your life"

What do you enjoy most about your profession and why did you choose it in the first place? What was the inspiration for your company/project? What I enjoy most is about my job is being apart of helping people enjoy their lives. My practice tagline is “Enhance your look, enjoy your life” I chose this because it is the essence of Plastic Surgery. Many people think it is a vain industry filled with people who are searching for an unattainable beauty standard. That is simply untrue. Most of my patients are nurses, teachers, moms, lawyers just regular everyday men and women looking to feel more comfortable in their bodies. Aging, motherhood, and life's challenges take a toll on our outward appearance. Feeling more comfortable and confident can greatly improve someone's outlook on life. I have many patients come back thanking me after celebrating getting married, getting a promotion, or having children. Though I appreciate the gratitude it has little to do with my work and more to do with how they felt about themselves and the positive energy they let out into the world. The fact that I can play even a small role in aiding someone in enjoying their lives is a gift I don’t take for granted.

o r o k O y e l Dr. Stan Double board certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Stanley Okoro, MD, FACS, is a double board-certified Plastic Surgeon who specializes in body sculpting, facial rejuvenation, and reconstruction. He is a veteran of the U.S Navy and former Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at our “President’s Hospital ”in Maryland. After leaving the navy he began his journey as an entrepreneur opening his own luxury plastic surgery center Georgia Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. His practice has been open for over 10 years now and becomes one of the nations leading Plastic Surgery Centers. He have since expanded to open a med spa Amachi Medspa and another practice in native country Nigeria Abuja Plastics.

info@georgiaplastic.com @georgiaplastic 770-464-5485

When I was in the Navy I mainly did a lot of reconstruction for my fellow servicemen and woman who were injured as well as Cancer patients who needed breast reconstruction. Being in the Navy was a wonderful time in my life but it was time to retire. I began the process of looking for a job in the middle of a recession and like many qualified people during that time I just couldn’t find anything. I know it sounds crazy a Plastic Surgeon being unemployed. When faced with my options I could either settle for a job I didn’t want or try opening my own office. I of course chose the latter and it was the best decision I ever made. When I started out I saw mainly cancer survivors and patients who had previously had Plastic Surgery but were botched. Seeing these kinds of patients reinforced to me that my community really needed my expertise in this field. My other businesses Amachi Medspa and Abuja Plastics came about due to me recognizing patients' needs and wanting to fulfill them myself. I realized everyone who has a body also has a face and concerns about how to improve their skin and maintain their results non surgically. I saw patients waste money on treatments and procedures that did nothing so I opened my Medspa Amachi Medspa so they would have a space to cater to their non-surgical needs. With Abuja plastics I started performing the same procedures I do here in Nigeria when I realized many patients were going to India and other nearby countries for procedures.

Tell us about any new projects or endeavors you have coming up (or recently completed). Aside from a lot of new things happening in my practice. I plan on expanding my medical missions to be longer and cover more areas. I have also recently begun an MBA program to further expand my knowledge and learn new ways to grow my business. 19

Tell us about your community involvement – what you are passionate about outside of work and home and why/how you participate? I have been a Plastic Surgeon for over 20 years and now have more time to devote to my non-profit organization Georgia Plastic Foundation. My foundation supports the medical missions I’ve been going and organizing for over 10 years. Restructuring the medical infrastructure in rural parts of Nigeria is something I am very passionate about. People are dying daily for minor medical issues because of little to no access to care. Doing my part to change this is extremely important to me. Along with our medical missions Georgia Plastic Foundation also supports homeless outreach in the metro Atlanta area, book drives for children, and our annual bra drive in support of Breast Cancer Research.

Any advice to someone wanting to be a part of the health industry? Keep going! Now more then ever we see a need for healthcare professionals. It can be long, hard, and if you don’t want to give up at least once you aren’t doing it right! In the end it’s worth it. The lives you can save and change is worth it. There are also so many different places you can live and things you can do in the healthcare industry you will find your niche and thrive. Just don’t give up think of all of the people who need you.

From where do you draw inspiration? Who have been your role models, mentors, etc? I have been extremely lucky to have had some of the most amazing teachers and mentors. One of which is Dr. David Satcher former Assistant Secretary for Health, and the 16th Surgeon General of the United States. Dr. Arthur Jackson my gross anatomy teacher I medical school and Michael Jackson for his dedication to his craft, work ethic, and commitment to excellence.

What do you do for fun/relaxation/entertainment? I have heavy workload but I try to make sure I find time to take care of myself. My daily workouts are my “me time” time to relieve stress and take care of my body. I also enjoy just having family time hanging out with my wife and kids and binge watching Netflix shows. PreCOVID I made sure to carve out time to vacation with my wife. Unplugging, relaxing, and exploring a new country is always a great reset.

Integrative Family Physician, Master Practitioner & Trainer of Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP), Hypnosis & Time Line Therapy®, & founder of the Mind Re-Mapping Academy Dr. Maiysha T. Clairborne primary focus is on helping men and women of color transform their lives by helping them master their thoughts, beliefs & communication while eliminating fear, imposter syndrome, self-doubt, negative emotions & passed down trauma that gets in the way of their ability to experience full joy, productivity & peace of mind. She does this through her NLP, Hypnosis Trainings, Emotional Release Sessions, & Personal Transformation Programs. "know your BIGGER why, and make sure it

’s specific."

What do you enjoy most about your profession and why did you choose it in the first place? What was the inspiration for your company/project? I chose family medicine for 3 reasons: One, I love the variety of being able to see all ages and the variety that comes with that.

. T a h s y i Dr. Mairborne Cla Clubhouse: @DrMaiysha www.instagram.com/DrMaiysha www.twitter.com/DrMaiysha www.Facebook.com/DrMaiysha www.Youtube.com/DrMaiysha www.linkedin.com/in/DrMaiysha

Second, Family Medicine is a relationship specialty. You get to form bonds with your patient and their families. Finally, I think family medicine is one of the most flexible specialties to go into. You can focus on women’s health, maternal and child, mental health… you can be full spectrum or specialized. I took my training and focused on integrative & mind body medicine, specifically healing people from the inside out. I think having been someone who has always been fascinated with the mind (I obtained my bachelors in psychology), family medicine allowed me to explore the full journey from traditional to integrative to what I do now which is purely focused on the mind and its capacity to heal not just your body, but your whole life. 22

Tell us about any new projects or endeavors you have coming up (or recently completed). I’m involved with a few projects. My primary endeavor is my training program. We recently started our winter NLP & Hypnosis Coach training, and I’m gearing up for the next trainings in late April and early July. It’s a 7 day live intensive with a 6-month practice group to follow. This is a brand new format and I’m super excited about how it will deepen the learning and practical application. The second thing I’m involved in is Conscious Anti-racism training. I co-authored a book with my partner Dr. Jill Wener and we now do corporate executive trainings on anti-racism helping C-suite and executive leaders who truly want to change the culture of their organizations by starting from the inside out. Third, I recently started a new podcast called ReMap Your Mind that focuses on deep conversations that are often side stepped about mental health, relationships, and spirituality in our community. Of course, I still do business and sales coaching, by request when I am referred clients as well.

Tell us about your community involvement – what you are passionate about outside of work and home and why/how you participate? Since the pandemic my involvement outside of the home has been limited. What I HAVE been doing is participating in online panels that empower women’s health. I love getting involved in discussions empowering women’s mental health.

Any advice to someone wanting to be a part of the health industry? I’d say, know your BIGGER why, and make sure it’s specific. When you have a life mission, it’ helps to pull you through the tough times in the industry. Also, look at ways that you can make the path your own. SO many times we get sucked into what we’re “supposed to do”. This is where we can get into trouble that leads to burnout and even depression. Second, if you have a specific area of the health industry you are interested in, find a mentor and shadow in that area. Get the REAL inside scoop so you can make an educated choice on whether you want to go through all that it takes to get to where those mentors are.

From where do you draw inspiration? Who have been your role models, mentors, etc? I have had so many mentors, that they are too many to count. I always shout out my mom who is the original entrepreneur in my life. Watching her helped me to know I could do anything and I didn’t have to follow the beaten path. My father and Aunt Val were safe spaces for me when I needed emotional support and uplifting. Dr. Dawn Aldrich gave me the distinction of “assignment” – she never let me quit on my dream even when I didn’t think I could move forward. My dear friend Sally helped me learn how to talk DIRECTLY to God.. from which I now draw my inspiration. And I cannot say enough about my dearest friends Rose, Jamaal, and Ann all whom taught me how to lean on community and stop being such a “Hans Solo” (laughing inside).

What do you do for fun/relaxation/entertainment? I love relaxing on the couch with some Almond Milk peppermint hot cocoa in the winter and watching a good movie or catching up on my shows when it’s cold. In the summer, (pre-pandemic) I used to love salsa nights and art festivals. I can’t wait to get back out so to places like the High Museum and live jazz or symphonies in the park.

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers? Remember that you are at the source of your life always. You are in charge of your mind and therefore you are in charge of your results. And whatever has happened in the past does not define you. However, let it inspire you expand yourself.

To read more of Dr. Maiysha T. Clairborne story, and get the full breadth of what her up to visit: www.drmaiysha.com To learn more about her NLP/Hypnosis Trainings or to Learn about Mind ReMapping visit: www.ReMapMyMind.com Podcast: Next Level Physicians Thriving Outside the Box: www.anchor.fm/DrMaiysha ReMap Your Mind: www.anchor.fm/ReMapYourMind

Beverly Jones-Durr

"Despite the bumps in the road, life still has many beautiful moments." Provider, Children’s Health Services Intern. Board Certified Lactation Consultant Adjunct Instructor East Carolina University, School of Nursing Adjunct Instructor UNC-CH, School of Nursing Certificate of Advanced Education in Obesity Medicine Ivy M. Bagley MSN, FNP-C, IBCLC is a family nurse practitioner and a board-certified lactation consultant. She also holds a certificate of advanced education in obesity medicine. She has been at her current practice for 13 years- soon to be 14. She's an AHA CPR instructor. She enjoys precepting FNP students and teaching. For the last two years, She has sat on the OMA's Pediatric Obesity Committee.

Tell us about your community involvement – what you are passionate about outside of work and home and why/how you participate?

y e l g a B . Dr. Ivy M

I lead a monthly breastfeeding support group and teach breastfeeding and parenting educational classes. I am active in our local Junior League and enjoy helping our community thrive. I enjoy offering my services as a photographer to many nonprofit events. And, I enjoy helping people learn to advocate for themselves.

Tell us about any new projects or endeavors you have coming up (or recently completed). I am involved in planning and organizing a community fit camp program for children in our area. This is a joint effort between the practice I am employed with and a local physical therapy practice- Kinetic Pediatric Clinic. This program seeks to educate and involve children in changing the course of their lives by eliminating obesity. As part of my doctoral program, I plan to expand the program to adolescents.

Any advice to someone wanting to be a part of the health industry? Although the pandemic has drastically changed healthcare and made our jobs significantly more challenging; helping families achieve optimal health is more important than ever. I highly recommend you seek out your area of expertise and strive to discover ways you can impact others through your knowledge. Despite our desire to serve others, it is critical all healthcare providers seek opportunities to take care of themselves.

From where do you draw inspiration? Who have been your role models, mentors, etc? I am a Christian and without my faith, I truly would be lost. I have many role models, but one of my strongest supporters has been Dr. Alex Hodges. Her compassion during the pandemic and her willingness to serve others despite her own personal challenges inspires me in my own practice.

“All things work together for those who love The Lord."

Romans 8:28

What do you do for fun/relaxation/entertainment? I'm in the post-masters DNP program so my time is limited, but I love to take long walks, yoga, and read a good book.

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers? Enjoy the journey. Despite the bumps in the road, life still has many beautiful moments.

WELLBEING

Well is defined as “in a good or satisfactory manner” according to dictoniary.com. In these days and times we have to intentionally put forth effort to actually stay well. What does your does your daily schedule look like? Arise and shine, get ready for work while listening to the news. The news report, poverty racism, homicides, sickness and disease. All the prior projections are then implanted into your mind where you unconsciously dwell on those thoughts that detract from your well-being. We have a duty to keep our mind, body and soul well. Wellness occurs when you implement a well-balanced diet, exercise, meditation and speaking positive confirmations in spite of challenging circumstances. You will always win in Christ Jesus. Be encourages, protect your health and walk in wellness every day on purpose. 3 John 1:2 English Standard Version Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and enjoy good health, as it goes well with your soul. Benjil Lightfoot Family Nurse Practitioner , Motivational Speaker

Grace Latonja Healthcare Financial Care Agent Grace Latonja lives in Stone Mountain, Ga. Mother of two and two grandkids. She also has her niece after the passing of my brother. She loves spending time with her family. She has been in healthcare for over 25 years, she currently works full time at Piedmont Healthcare as a Healthcare Financial Care Agent. She also works PRN for Emory St. Joseph and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. You can tell she loves healthcare. What do you enjoy most about your profession and why did you choose it in the first place? What was the inspiration for your company/project? The inspiration behind being in healthcare comes from an old song that I use to listen to when I was young. “Live in me Jesus” by Calvin Rhone. The song is about showing the love of Christ to others, so you must have compassion when working in healthcare. I enjoy making a patient smile or laugh when they are dealing with life-changing events. At Emory St. Joseph I get to share words of encouragement and sometimes a song to lift their spirits. Working in healthcare allows me to share a message every day without ever stepping into a pulpit to preach. I have a heart for people, and I go the extra mile to make sure that patients are treated how I would want to be treated. I have had patients that break down and cry while getting registered for a procedure. A hug might not take all the problems away but when someone is feeling alone and scared it helps.

Latonjag2g@gmail.com www.facebook.com/tanja.grace 678-689-8094

"Always remember that life can change in a second. "

Tell us about any new projects or endeavors you have coming up (or recently completed). I managed to complete a dual master’s program with Ohio Christian University. (MBA and Master of Arts in Ministry). The next project I have in mind is a podcast or broadcast about dating after 50. I would like to include how to become a better you after 50. There is so much life left to live after we turn 50, so why not be daring, do somethings we have never done.

Tell us about your community involvement – what you are passionate about outside of work and home and why/how you participate? Serving as a youth minister at Assembly of Truth worship center. My passion outside of work is teaching youth about Jesus and encouraging women to build a closer relationship with Christ. Learning how to love yourself by changing your focus to God first, and self-care.

Any advice to someone wanting to be a part of the health industry? Healthcare is a wonderful field to be in if you enjoy working with people. There are many areas of advancement.

From where do you draw inspiration? Who have been your role models, mentors, etc? My role model and inspiration would be my mother. She was sick battling cancer and still tried to make others laugh when they came to her room. She showed me a strength that only God could have given her. She would wake up in the morning and tell me to open up her blinds so she could see outside because no matter how much pain she has today, she won’t complain.

What do you do for fun/relaxation/entertainment? I am working on becoming healthier. I go to Rowhouse three times a week to work out. I enjoy listening to music.

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers? Working in healthcare has taught me that life is too short to not be happy. Live each day to the fullest while showing love to others. Be the message you want to see. Your time is valuable and can never be replace if we decide to waste it. Always remember that life can change in a second.

Registered Nurse Tangie Henry has been a registered nurse for 15 years specializing in women’s health.

She is a certified life coach and a certified personal trainer where her emphasis is on women living whole and healthy lives from the inside out. "Please take the time to do soul-care so that you

’

re not

operating as a wounded healer."

y r n e H e i Tang

What do you enjoy most about your profession and why did you choose it in the first place? What was the inspiration for your company/project? I enjoy helping women in times of transition. Whether they’re transitioning to motherhood, to a new career or a new body, it gives me great pleasure to come alongside to support and cheer them on. I was inspired to found my company, InspiredSistah, LLC because, as a registered nurse, I often found myself in conversations with women who were having challenges in various areas of their lives that ultimately affected their physical health. And in doing so, it reflected a mirror back to me about some changes that I needed to make in my own life. I have always operated under the conviction that I could never lead where I have not been. And so as I work with women, it further challenges me to be better, as well.

www.InspiredSistah.com Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Books -Tangie-Henry/s? rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ATan gie+Henry

Tell us about any new projects or endeavors you have coming up (or recently completed). I am currently finishing my clinical hours to become a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. In doing so, I am positioning myself to serve my community in a greater way. Ultimately I would like to own an urban/rural clinic that will cater to underserved populations to help minimize health disparities.

Any advice to someone wanting to be a part of the health industry? Go for it! I am a second-career nurse. I had a career in social services before I entered the nursing field at the age of 35. So don’t allow any excuses to stop you. There is such a huge need for competent and compassionate healthcare workers.

From where do you draw inspiration? Who have been your role models, mentors, etc? I draw my main inspiration from God. I believe He literally pushes me to be better and walk in the path carved out for me. I am also inspired by great women who have a heart for service and desire to change the world for the better.

What do you do for fun/relaxation/entertainment? I have recently started doodling, drawing & painting as a form of relaxation and a way to unplug from everything. Being thrust on the frontline during a pandemic as well as trying to complete graduate school has been extremely challenging. So when I pick up my pen or paintbrush, it gives me an opportunity to escape and decompress.

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers? Serving in healthcare right now is both a blessing and a burden. Please take the time to do soul-care so that you’re not operating as a wounded healer. This is so necessary because if you don’t take time for yourself, everyone will benefit from your gift, but you. Take care of YOU!

Portia Smith writes inspirational and self-affirming children’s books to help boost self-esteem and confidence. Portia’s new book, “I Know Who I Am”, lays out in alphabetical order positive and fun affirmations that encourage children to develop a growth mindset, self-confidence, and coping skills. Portia realized early on that by saying positive affirmations daily proved to be very beneficial with her own children in that it helped to train their brains to think more positively.

Portia is a licensed counselor and a mental health wellness advocate. She has over 13 years of experience in counseling. She has a passion for crisis counseling and suicide prevention/intervention. Portia is the mother of two and a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. In her spare time, she enjoys art, reading, writing, and crafting.

"Don’t be afraid to take a risk on yourself" 40

Nurse Practitioner

t o o f t h g i L l i j n e B

Benjil Lightfoot is currently residing in central Georgia. She has had the grace of being raised in the south; therefore she knows how to appreciate the simple blessings in life. She is the mother of an awesome 5-year-old boy. Professionally She is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner of 15 years and a Nurse for 21 years. Her current job occupation is performing housecalls for Medicare advantage clients. She truly enjoys what she do.

What do you enjoy most about your profession and why did you choose it in the first place? What was the inspiration for your company/project? I truly enjoy my profession being a nurse practitioner. As a Nurse Practitioner, you get the best of both worlds. I naturally ha a heart of service therefore nursing was natural for me. After several years practicing as a Registered Nurse at Grady Memorial Hospital and Atlanta Medical Center my desire strongly changed for me. Thus I pursued further education therefore I started my MSN at Georgia State University in 2003 and the goal was to become a Family Nurse Practitioner which was achieved.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"

Philippians 4:13

@benjilmotivational Benjil Lightfoot

Tell us about any new projects you have coming up (or recently completed). I am currently in post graduate school at Frontier Nursing University pursuing my specialty as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

What is a typical day like for you? A typical day for me starts apx 5am where I get in my exercise running on the treadmill and morning meditation; followed by getting my 5 yr old son ready for school with the assistance of my gracious parents. Next is to drive to South Metro Atlanta to begin my day of housecalls. My day is usually 11-12 years of service time and I would not trade it for anything.

Tell us about your community involvement – what you are passionate about outside of work and home and why/how you participate? I am a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority where community service is paramount. I am a faithful member of New Life international where I serve as an intercessor. I have volunteered for Healing on his Wings Mobile Women’s Health Clinic, Atlanta, Georgia. I also serve on the Board on the Sunday Foundation. I am also a faithful member of the Atlanta Track Club. I am a Christian Based Motivational Speaker, therefore I love to inspire, encourage and bring hope to all my brother’s and sister’s.

What is the biggest risk you ever took professionally and/or the biggest obstacle you have overcome? The Biggest risk I have taken professionally is to go back to school at the age of 43 and a single mother. Never one of my favorite scripture if Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.

From where do you draw inspiration? Who have been your role models, mentors, etc? I draw my inspiration from the Word of God. I truly believe prayer changes things, persons and situations. My son also inspires me to be a better person. My life mentors are my parents, they have thought my siblings and myself to always keep God first and the power of obtaining education.

What do you do to keep yourself sharp? What one thing have you done in the past year that has made a significant difference in your life/your business? To keep myself sharp I attend continuing education courses to maintain my certifications and stay up on the latest medical updates.

What one thing would you like to learn this year? I would like to learn Spanish this year.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In the next 5 years I see myself continuing with my house calls as well as working in psychiatric medicine. I also see myself within and my family unit serving in my local community by offering self-esteem improvement seminars, for children and adults. I will also be serving in my community offering my motivational words of encouragement.

What do you do for fun/relaxation/entertainment? For fun I enjoy the sport of running, I get in a 7 mile run on most days of the week. I also enjoy baking cakes and other deserts. I good massage can relax me very well

"Know exactly what fields excite you, do your research, and learn as much as you can before just

e t i h W a h Moneis

jumping out there."

Your Lab Liaison Moneisha White PBT III/NHA/ASCP was born in a small town called Greenwood, MS on November 9, 1979. Her mom knew she was destined to do great things. She loved sports, singing in the choir, and family life. After high school she found herself going to a technical school for Patient Care Technician, and she has been in healthcare ever since. She married, had more children, and continued working in healthcare. After her divorce and sixteen years doing CNA, Phlebotomy, and clerical jobs at hospitals. She decided to do contractual work that paid more money for about four years. That's when she decided to go into business for herself and work because she hated the politics of corporate.

@whitelabsv.i.p

www.whitelabsservices.com

@JonesMoneisha @mobilephleblablady 46

What do you enjoy most about your profession and why did you choose it in the first place? What was the inspiration for your company/project? I love people in general, so while drawing clients I get to have a great conversation with them. Sometimes they're lonely, sad, hurting, or just need a friend at that moment. I chose to stick with phlebotomy, because I ended up in a hospital setting and I could work more than one shift and the hours worked for my family setting when my children were small. My inspiration really came when drawing my older patients in the hospital and they would tell me that they didn't have access to lab collections once they left the hospital. Thus White Labs was born.

Tell us about any new projects or endeavors you have coming up (or recently completed). I have recently completed my drug screening certification and adding this service to my business. I also have more projects coming throughout the year. Stay tuned!!

Tell us about your community involvement – what you are passionate about outside of work and home and why/how you participate? I am very passionate about children having the proper school equipment such as backpacks, pencils, and paper. I was a single mother at one time so I participate in yearly giveback now that my children are adults. I am also very passionate about my black community knowing about their health, so any free health care screenings I can participate in and give back when needed.

Any advice to someone wanting to be a part of the health industry? Know exactly what fields excite you, do your research and learn as much as you can before just jumping out there. Especially if your going to school for a particular field. You have to love it and to know that there is a need for you in that field.

From where do you draw inspiration? Who have been your role models, mentors, etc? I draw inspiration from some awesome women in my life. I have two teachers one was my English Teacher Mrs. Sullivan in elementary school. . She taught me to read everything and make your own imagination from reading. My phlebotomist teacher Ms. Snipes, who showed me that anyone can use a needle but are you good at. Phlebotomy is an art not a stabbing session. My mom has always been my true inspiration and my biggest fan.

What do you do for fun/relaxation/entertainment? I love to swim and travel. My hope is to travel internationally and teach other women my skill as a job for them to go in. Spending time with my children and grandchildren never get old. I'm a home body who loves family gatherings.

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers? I want you to enjoy this journey that I'm enjoying. God has blessed me to give back to my community and be involved with my community.

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