Summer, my favorite season, is here.  I’m looking forward to having some time to rest and recharge, particularly this year.  I’ve experienced a lot of loss, with the passing of both of my mothers last winter. My grief has been compounded by last week’s overturn of Roe vs. Wade.  I’ve selected some books for this … Continue reading 2022 Summer Reading List

This one is hard. Normally, I love to celebrate Mother’s Day.  This year I am mourning two great losses.  For the first time in my life, I’ll be celebrating Mother’s Day without either of my mothers.  My own birth mother passed away peacefully, in my arms, on January 21, 2022.  Two weeks later, my beloved … Continue reading Mother’s Day 2022: An Ode to My Mothers

The month of March is special to me for a lot of reasons, making me think about health and health coverage on both an individual and collective basis. This March, I celebrated several things, including my second book anniversary, being five years cancer-free, and the 12th anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act … Continue reading Reflecting on Women’s History Month: A Conversation

Today, my book, "Marching Toward Coverage," turns 2!  While celebrating this milestone, I am also taking this time to reflect on the many changes in the healthcare and political landscape since the publication of my book, which reinforces its evergreen themes of: the imperative need for universal health coverage which has now been laid bare by the … Continue reading Marching Toward Coverage is 2!

February has been recognized as Black History Month in this country since 1976. This is an important time to reflect on and honor Black history, while also recognizing that much of what Americans consider to be “history” did not occur that long ago. The legacy of slavery in this country continues to be manifested in … Continue reading Then and Now: Honoring Black History

Happy New Year!  With another Covid surge in full swing and a snowstorm coming our way in New England, it looks like we are going to need to hunker down once again. It’s certainly a test of our collective endurance.  But it’s also an opportunity to renew ourselves and make the most of our time … Continue reading Winter Reading List

There’s a feeling of renewed hope and optimism surrounding us this spring as more people get vaccinated, kids return to their activities, and we regain some measure of sanity. I’m looking forward to celebrating Mother’s Day this year, lifted by this optimism and knowing that my family has survived a tough year and is returning … Continue reading Mother’s Day 2021: Let’s Do More for Those Who Need it Most

As we close out Women's History Month, I want to share this inspirational short video, The Women Are Coming, brought to my attention by the Washington Women's Leadership Initiative.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUujjBqpxOg It powerfully portrays the global advances in female leadership, including Vice President Kamala Harris, who had just been inaugurated before the video's release. For more Kamala inspiration, … Continue reading Women’s History Month

My book recommendation for Black History Month is “A Promised Land” by Barack Obama. I listened to the audiobook and it was an incredible experience. Hearing him explain his passion for an impossible job, which was continually being tempered by reality, combined with his determined persistence, was inspiring. He never lost his heart for the … Continue reading Black History Month – Book Recommendation

Today is New Year’s Day for me.  The inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris brings a tremendous opportunity for our country to heal from the past four years and it provides me with hope for our future.  On the morning of this historic presidential inauguration, I feel moved to share excerpts from "On the … Continue reading New Year, New Hope