Self-Advocacy Is Self-Care: Reclaiming Power in the Exam Room with Dr Bayo

Navigating the healthcare system as a woman, especially as a Black woman, can feel like a battle. A battle to be heard, believed, and treated with the care and respect we deserve. In this affirming and eye-opening episode of Be Well, Sis, I’m joined by Dr. Bayo, a physician and patient advocate who’s using her voice to challenge bias in medicine and close the gap on maternal health disparities and healthcare inequities.

Together, we dive into what it really takes to build trust in healthcare- not just between patient and provider, but within ourselves as we learn to speak up, ask questions, and challenge the harmful systems we’ve been taught to accept.

Dr. Bayo shares her own journey into medicine and advocacy, including the influence of family, personal experience, and generational knowledge that shaped her commitment to making healthcare safer and more human.

We explore the power of self-advocacy, the necessity of community, and why curiosity is one of the most powerful tools we can bring into any medical setting.

This episode is for you if:

• You’ve ever felt dismissed or gaslit in a medical setting
• You’re curious about how to become a stronger advocate for yourself or your family
• You’re a provider seeking to understand and confront your own biases
• You believe in the power of community-based healing and generational wisdom
• You’re ready to reclaim agency over your body, your choices, and your care

Whether you're a patient trying to make sense of conflicting medical advice, a new mom seeking support, or a provider looking to serve with more empathy and equity—this conversation is your reminder that you deserve to be seen, heard, and cared for.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Why Black patients don’t trust the healthcare system | Bayo Curry-Winchell | TEDxReno
• Do No Harm | Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell | TEDxRutgers

About Dr. Bayo:

Dr. Bayo is a physician and passionate advocate for health equity, especially within maternal health. Her work centers around patient empowerment, provider accountability, and breaking cycles of harm in medicine. She believes in treating the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—with intention, respect, and curiosity.

📲 Follow Dr. Bayo on Instagram: @doctor.bayo

🌐 Learn more about her work: https://doctorbayo.com

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Be Well, Sis is hosted by Dr Cassandre Dunbar. The show is edited, mixed and produced by Megan Hayward. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert.

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