The journey of patient advocacy begins with a single, powerful truth: your health story matters. In this debut episode of the CHLMS MEDI HELPZ Foundation podcast, we meet Jacquiline Cox - lupus warrior, author, and living testimony that medical predictions don't define your destiny.

Three years ago, a doctor told Jacquiline she had just three months to live. Today, she stands as an ambassador for Walk for Lupus Now, a 15-time bestselling author, and a beacon of hope for those navigating the complicated reality of invisible illness. With raw emotion and unflinching honesty, Jacquiline shares the daily challenges of living with lupus, fibromyalgia, and thyroid cancer while managing a business, raising a family, and advocating for better patient care.

"Just because you can't see it doesn't mean we're not struggling," Jacquiline reminds us, challenging the dismissive attitudes that chronically ill patients often face. Her practical wisdom offers a roadmap for others: track your symptoms, know your medical information, understand your insurance coverage, and most importantly, build a circle of support who truly understands your specific challenges.

The foundation of this podcast rests on a revolutionary concept - patients don't just deserve a seat at the healthcare table; they need their own table where experiences can be shared without judgment, where education replaces fear tactics, and where collective wisdom creates paths toward better health outcomes. Whether you're battling chronic illness or supporting someone who is, this episode offers both practical strategies and emotional sustenance.

Have a patient story that deserves to be heard? Reach out to the CHLMS MEDIHELPZ Foundation. Your voice matters, your experience can heal others, and together, we're creating a patient uprising built on empowerment, education, and community.

Patricia "Mamu" Rangel brings 40+ years of wisdom from the frontlines of maternal healthcare to this powerful conversation about the past, present, and future of Black maternal health. A nurse who has worked across multiple hospital units including labor and delivery, postpartum, and now an OBGYN clinic, Mamu also serves as a doula, childbirth educator, and lactation consultant—bringing a uniquely comprehensive perspective to maternal care.

The conversation explores a striking paradox: how traditional "granny midwives" with minimal formal education could deliver hundreds or even thousands of babies without losses, while our modern medical system continues to struggle with maternal mortality rates, particularly for Black mothers. "What are we doing that they were doing, that we're not doing?" Mamu asks, challenging us to reconsider what wisdom might have been lost in the medicalization of birth.

Throughout her career, Mamu witnessed the evolution of the doula profession from misunderstood outsiders to valued members of the birth team. She passionately advocates for more comprehensive doula education beyond weekend certification programs, suggesting mentorship models where experienced doulas guide newcomers. "You might be able to say you know what you're doing because of the information that you received coming out," she notes, "but when you're with someone who's been in the trenches, they can catch your flaws."

The conversation takes a poignant turn when discussing the shift away from personal connection in healthcare. "Nobody wants to talk to you anymore," Mamu observes, lamenting how technology has replaced face-to-face communication. This disconnect extends beyond the hospital to family dynamics, where meaningful interaction has diminished. For expectant families, this highlights the importance of finding providers who prioritize building relationships and truly hearing mothers' voices.

For those considering careers in healthcare, Mamu offers invaluable guidance: find your niche, understand the demanding nature of the work, and maintain emotional boundaries while still providing compassionate care. Her wisdom reminds us that birth work isn't just a job—it's a calling that requires both passion and boundaries to serve families effectively while sustaining yourself for the long haul.