What role can clinicians play in leading change in 2025?

Meet Dr. Lisa Patel: Advocate, Pediatrician, Climate Champion

January 08, 2025

Welcome back, dear colleague!

We’re thrilled to announce Dr. Lisa Patel as one of the featured speakers for our upcoming LinkedIn Live Event on January 24th!

Dr. Patel is a trailblazer who has dedicated her career to working at the intersection of health, equity, and climate change. Her inspiring work is a clear example of how healthcare professionals can lead transformative change within their communities and beyond.

About Dr. Lisa Patel

Dr. Patel wears many hats—pediatric hospitalist, climate advocate, and changemaker:

  • Executive Director, Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health: Representing over 7,000 clinicians advocating for climate-smart policies to protect health and equity.

  • Founder of NorCal Symposium on Climate Change and Health Equity: An annual event empowering healthcare professionals to carry out sustainable practices.

  • Mentor to Future Leaders: Dr. Patel supports medical students and healthcare professionals to shape climate and health advocacy careers.

  • Advocate for Bold Climate Action: From mentoring students to advising national boards, she’s tirelessly working to integrate climate change into healthcare policy and education.

Why it matters: Dr. Patel’s groundbreaking initiatives, such as advocating for a carbon neutrality plan at Stanford Health Care, show how healthcare professionals can lead the way.

Why You Should Join Us

Dr. Patel will share her incredible journey, insights on linking health and climate action, and her vision for empowering clinicians to become changemakers. This is your chance to hear firsthand from one of the most inspiring voices in healthcare today.

🎙 Event Details:

  • What: LinkedIn Live Event - What role can clinicians play in leading change in 2025?

  • When: January 24th, 1pm EST

  • Where: On LinkedIn

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear insights from a leader committed to driving meaningful change in healthcare and has done so much to reshape the system. 

📢 Join us HERE

How can healthcare providers rebuild trust, address biases, and ensure every patient feels valued?

What they're saying: In a powerful article published on the KevinMD website, a physician named Tomi Mitchell shares her eye-opening experience on the other side of the healthcare system—as a patient. Her journey revealed the cracks in our current system and highlighted urgent areas for improvement, particularly for marginalized communities. Dr. Tomi Mitchell, a respected member of the healthcare community, also joined us as a participant in our most recent HEART! Advocacy Training for Courageous Clinicians cohort.

From dismissing pain to overlooking cultural differences, these experiences underscore the need for a more inclusive and empathetic healthcare system. The article outlines five critical lessons that every healthcare provider—and leader—should reflect on:

  1. See the Whole Person: Medical education must include diverse patient experiences to ensure providers can recognize and treat all patients effectively.

  2. Listen to Caregivers: Caregivers and mothers often hold invaluable insights into a patient’s health history, yet their voices are too often dismissed.

  3. Address Bias: Implicit biases harm patients and delay care. Training and accountability are essential to address these issues.

  4. Take Pain Seriously: Patients’ pain is valid. Listening and acting on their concerns can make all the difference.

  5. Acknowledge Mistakes: A simple apology can go a long way in restoring trust and showing compassion.

Our Take at People Power Health

The bottom line: This article serves as a reminder that health equity begins with listening and understanding. Addressing implicit biases, improving cultural competency, and fostering empathy are critical to creating a system where every patient feels heard, seen, and valued.

One of the crucial messages that resonates with us is that systems should be committed to empowering clinicians to lead with courage and compassion. This means pushing for better training, listening to patient voices, and finding the time for honest conversations about bias and inclusion in healthcare.

💡 Read the full article on KevinMD and join the discussion about how we can make healthcare safer, more inclusive, and truly patient-centered.

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Until next time,

People Power Health Team