Joining us to unpack the complexities of Long COVID are three distinguished guests. Dr. Cheryl Clark, a leading epidemiologist, offers a deep dive into the latest research and medical understanding of Long COVID, explaining why it affects individuals so differently. Netia McCray, a Long COVID survivor, shares her personal journey through the maze of ongoing health issues, highlighting the emotional and physical toll it takes. Jacqui Lindsay, a community organizer, discusses the grassroots movements that have sprung up to support those affected, showcasing the power of community in facing health crises.

Organizations mentioned in episode: 

Boston RECOVER 

Community Engagement — Boston RECOVER

Home | National Academies

Research Projects Directory – All of Us Research Hub (researchallofus.org)

Resources: 

Long COVID or Post-COVID Conditions | CDC

How to get involved in health research: 

• https://www.bmc.org/research-operations/participate-research
• https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/research-and-innovation/participate-in-research 
• https://www.bmc.org/research/participate-research-or-clinical-trials 
• https://www.massgeneral.org/research/clinical-trials 
• clincialtrials.gov
• JoinAllofUs.org/PodcastNE 

Sources: 

1. https://www.framinghamheartstudy.org/files/2023/09/75th-Anniversary-of-FHS-BU-Article.pdf 
2. What clinical trial statistics tell us about the state of research today (antidote.me)
3. Newly Identified Genetic Variant Protects Against Alzheimer’s | Harvard Medical School
4. The Gene That Explains Statins’ Most Puzzling Side Effect - The Atlantic
5. People fearful of taking part in vital clinical research | ScienceDaily

About the guests:

Daniel Moretti (all pronouns) is Community Engagement Lead with PRIDEnet, based out of Stanford University. His work focuses on connecting LGBTQIA+ community members with ways to participate in research, such as The PRIDE Study and the All of Us Research Program, and creating opportunities for community input to inform all stages of the research process. Daniel has more than fifteen years of experience working at the cross sections of community engagement, social justice, research, and non-profit arts in diverse locations including San Jose, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, London (UK), and Cebu (Philippines).

Edie Stringfellow (she/her) is the Vice President of Ecosystem Development for the Center for Global Health Innovation. Ms. Stringfellow recruits national and international pioneering organizations to expand Atlanta, GA’s collaborative biohealth ecosystem, a growing and thriving marketplace where the life sciences community works together to balance global and local priorities. She is also a Community Advisory Panel member for All of Us New England. 

Research studies mentioned in the episode:  

https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/history/40-years-human-experimentation-america-tuskegee-study

More than Tuskegee: Understanding Mistrust about Research Participation - PMC (nih.gov)

All of Us Research Hub (researchallofus.org)

To learn about the benefits of participating and how you can join, visit mgb.JoinAllofUs.org. 

Resources mentioned in the episode: 

NAMI.org 

American Psychological Association 

American Psychiatric Association 

All of Us New England Mental Health Resource Guide 

National Institute of Mental Health 

Anxiety and Depression Association of America 

988lifeline.org 

Crisis Text Line 

Acrynoyms: 

SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 

BIPOC – Black, Indigenous, and People of Color 

Dr. Cynthia So-Armah

Dr. Cynthia So-Armah is an internist, practicing primary care at Brookside Community Health Center in Jamaica Plain. She serves as Medical Director for Brookside, Instructor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and Regional Medical Director for Brigham and Women's Primary Care. She divides her time between caring for a largely Spanish speaking and immigrant patient population, and working with an incredible team at Brookside and Brigham to manage operations and improve the care that they provide to their patients and community, keeping health equity at the heart of all that they do.

Dr. Thea James

Dr. Thea James is vice president of mission, associate chief medical officer, and co-executive director of the Health Equity Accelerator at BMC. She is also an associate professor of emergency medicine and director of the Violence Intervention Advocacy Program. Dr. James works with BMC caregivers and builds BMC's relationships and strategic alliances with local, state, and national partners, to meet the full spectrum of essentials that enables patients and communities to thrive. The intentionality is to foster a strategic ecosystem of growth, transformation, and effective models of care that are rooted in equity and economic inclusion. Dr. James has held several positions in her 27-year tenure at BMC, and her passion is in public health, both domestically and globally. Dr. James received a Doctor of Medicine from Georgetown University School of Medicine and trained in emergency medicine at Boston City Hospital where she was chief resident. 

In our most recent episode, host Cheryl McCloud speaks with Dr. Cheryl Clark, hospitalist in internal medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Principal Investigator for All of Us New England, and Dr. Elizabeth Sweet, Associate Professor of Anthropology at UMass Boston, about the social, environmental, and cultural factors that affect our health. 

Check out the type and amount of data that All of Us collects at databrowser.researchallofus.org.

Visit JoinAllofUs.org/PodcastNE to learn more about the All of Us Research Program.

Dr. Xerras is an internist, practicing primary care for over 20 years. He serves as Medical Director of MGH Chelsea Healthcare Center and also an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He divides his time between seeing patients, overseeing operations of a large community health center, and teaching the next generation of primary care physicians.   

Ms. Anderson is a ‘nursepreneur’, consultant and educator with over 30 years experience in the healthcare industry. She is a champion for those whom voices are often unheard. 

Kerri Medeiros is the Senior Director of Cancer Center Partnership at the American Cancer Society.  She has a Masters in Public Administration from Bridgewater State University and has spent most her eighteen years at the American Cancer Society working with health systems and community partners in Massachusetts. Massachusetts | American Cancer Society

Veronica Robles is a Mariachi singer, musician and Latin American folkloric dancer and choreographer by trade but has become a cultural icon for Latinos in Boston. She is Co-founder and Director of the Veronica Robles Cultural Center which supports community action and economic growth in East Boston. It offers Latin American arts and culture programming and provides jobs for youth. Veronica robles Cultural Center: Arts and culture | Centro Cultural Veronica Robles