Dr. Leigh Ann Simmons is a professor at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis and co-director of the Perinatal Origins of Disparities (POD) Center at UC Davis. She is an expert in health equity and her upcoming book (coming in 2027!) serves as a guide to help readers, particularly women, become stronger advocates for themselves in their medical encounters.
In this conversation, Maria Morukian and Leigh Ann Simmons explore the critical themes of healthcare advocacy, particularly for women. They discuss the importance of self-advocacy, recognizing systemic issues in healthcare, and the role of allyship in promoting health equity. Through personal stories and insights, Dr. Simmons emphasizes the need for women to trust themselves and their experiences while navigating a healthcare system that often minimizes their voices. The discussion also highlights the impact of intergenerational trauma on health disparities and the necessity of collective action in redefining activism within healthcare.
About Dr. Leigh Ann Simmons
Simmons’ research, which has been funded by the NIH, the USDA and the Veterans Health Administration, promotes population health equity in the incidence and prevalence of common chronic diseases (e.g., obesity, depression, cardiometabolic disorders, cancer) with a specific focus on childbearing women, rural residents and underrepresented minorities.
Simmons earned a Doctor of Philosophy in child and family development from the University of Georgia, a master’s degree in couple and family therapy from MCP-Hahnemann University (now Drexel University) and a BA in literature/writing from the UCSD.
Find out more at leighannsimmons.com
Takeaways
Advocacy is about participation in healthcare decisions.
Women often minimize their own needs in healthcare settings.
Systemic issues contribute to feelings of personal failure in patients.
Intergenerational trauma affects health outcomes across generations.
Self-advocacy is crucial for women in healthcare.
Allyship involves listening and supporting marginalized voices.
Trusting oneself is key to effective patient advocacy.
Healthcare providers need to recognize their biases.
Small acts of resistance can lead to significant change.
Collective action amplifies individual advocacy efforts.
