Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Christina Madison. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Christina , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

Two defining moment in my professional career was having the opportunity to do a segment on Good Morning America (GMA-3 What you need to know) and delivering my first TedX talk in 2022. These were both defining moments for me because it really defined my professional direction in the healthcare communications space. I would also say that both of these opportunities have led to other incredible opportunities. Including being an invited panelist at The White House COVID-19 Health Equity What Works Summit. When speaking to the selection committee they specifically mentioned my TedX talk on The Power of Trusted Health Messengers as one of the reason why I was selected, I have always loved being in the communications and entertainment space but had no idea I could marry my love of education and education by sharing my subject matter expertise as a residency trained clinical pharmacist with the media.

Christina , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have been a pharmacist for 20 years. I started off my career working in academy training the next generation of healthcare professionals. I trained and taught student pharmacist, doctors, nurses and resident and fellow trainees. In 2019, I started my consulting business The Public Health Pharmacist. To bring culturally humility and competency to health communications. I had been speaking for years but thought I could do more to move the needle in this space to dispel mis-and disinformation in the media. I provide technical assistance and academic detailing for health systems, health departments, and individual medical practices in the area of public health advocacy for providers and their patients with the understanding that we all benefit when patients are provided services by someone who looks and sounds like them with a understanding of their lived experience. My goal is to create health and happier communities by educating the public and health care professionals about the benefits of preventative medicine and public health foundations for decreasing communicable diseases. With my extensive experience in the media and communications space I also provide one-on-one coaching services, media training, and presentation prep including applying to and nailing your next TedX Talk.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I started my speaking and consulting business in November of 2019 right before the pandemic hit. I had such high hopes of booking lots of keynotes for 2020. Unfortunately, the pandemic had other plans for me and I had to pivot. Because of my extensive background in public health and previous media training I was a highly sought after healthcare media contributor for my local media market as well as for regional and national news outlets. Although this wasn’t what I was expecting my new consulting business to look like it was definitely a boost to my personal brand and recognition of my expertise. I have always been told when one door closes another opens and I truly believe that we can all make lemonade out of lemons despite how unexpected and terrible the situation.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

In January of 2018 I was so excited to welcome my second child. I beautiful baby girl. Unfortunately, just 7 weeks after the birth of my second child I was denied care at my local emergency department and almost died from septic shock. This was a true test of me ability to advocate for myself and first hand witness racism and discrimination in our healthcare system as a black women. I thought I was going to become another statics in our ever growing crisis of black maternal mortality but I refused to leave my husband along to raise our two children under the age of 2. I am so mindful of how I am being perceived and the advice I give to my patients when advocating for themselves and their family members. If this can happen to me as educated black women with a doctor, it can happen to anyone. The only difference between being denied care and being admitted to the hospital and being believed was the ethnicity of the physician that saw me in. the ER. The first doctor was a white male and dismissed my complaints and the second was a dark skinned south east asian man who believed me and immediately admitted me to the hospital and ultimately saved my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thepublichealthpharmacist.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepublichealthpharmacist/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePublicHealthPharmacist
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchristinamadisonthepublichealthpharmacist
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/PublicHealthRx
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWONXNCvgTJE-FE2aWbxZzA
• Other: TikTok – @PublicHealthRx