Advocate Health Care - How Donna Cryer, JD Advocates for Women

Deneen L. Garrett  0:03 

Welcome to another episode of an intimate conversation with women of color. I am your host Deneen L. Garrett. And today's guest is Donna R. Cryer JD, she is a president and CEO of global liver Institute. Goi. Donna, tell us more about you.

Donna R. Cryer, JD  0:23 

First of all, I'm so excited to be with you. And I think we can still say Happy New Year, at least at the time of this recording. It's one of my just favorite greetings to give Happy New Year, it just seems to portend and all sorts of wonderful possibilities. And so I say, you know, well in into the year.

Deneen L. Garrett  0:48 

Very good, right? It's always a good time to welcome a new year. And it's so many different possibilities, right, you said is one of your favorite greetings, you know, and I can I can see that I can feel that because it's open to so many possibilities. As newness is starting fresh, although you can do those things at any time in a year. It's just that this is traditionally when people do so. So your expertise in effectiveness and advancing the voice of patients in defining and designing equitable equitable health care has been recognized by the United States Congress and the White House. So congratulations for that. Tell us more about that, as well as how women of color can tap into their power and, and voice to advocate for their health.

Donna R. Cryer, JD  1:40 

It is a wonderful thing to be recognized as a woman of color for anything good that you do. So I I claim it only to share it and to let my sisters know that it is possible that sometimes people do see the good things people do take to heart, your your passions and causes, even if it takes a long time. And so you know, I have been in the world of patient engagement for my entire career. And that was because I had a liver transplant between second first and second years of law school at Georgetown. And so my original advocacy career on child welfare law, which had been just the passion of my heart from such a young age, took a different direction. Only because I saw how many things could go wrong in healthcare as a never ending source for career opportunities, and things to things to correct things to fix them and ways to be an advocate. But I also recognize the blessing that my situation was and what can happen when all things go right? When all things go well, when all the pieces come together in ways that certainly my parents prayed for, that their health insurance paid for that the researchers, you know, created and got approved and remain accessible to someone.

My life's work has been what if we could make that happen for more people? What if we could make that happen? Regardless of if your parents are school teachers like my work, or you know, or came from great wealth? If they were people of color like I was? Or if they live in a rural areas? What if we could have the same result?

And coming together of innovation and access and excellence that saved my life and sustains me today?

Deneen L. Garrett  4:08 

Yeah, that's awesome. And you know, so listening to you and thinking about, and I have this conversation recently. So when I was in labor with my son, I ended up having to have an emergency C section. And I remember going to my OB like later and his his daughter in law mentioning how they were at any event, and you know, when they called him to let them know that I was in labor. You know, he was, I don't know whether or not he wanted to leave, but you know, his daughter in law, I think, you know, she was like, oh, Yo, you know, she'll be okay, you know, we can stay longer and whatever, whatever.

And I didn't realize that that may have had something to do with having to have that emergency C section, I don't know. But now when you hear women talking about

experiences that they're having with their health black woman in particular, and the work that you're doing to advocate, it's like, Oh, my God, that they may have, you know, had an impact on that.

And so I just didn't know. And now I do. And, you know, I thank you for the work and others who are doing his work to shed a light for other women to be aware and to know how to advocate for themselves. So let's go ahead and kind of, you know, get back into how can women of color tap into their power and voice to advocate for their health,

Donna R. Cryer, JD  5:33 

I think you gave a perfect example of being aware of issues from a particular lens or lived experience, makes certain issues, you know, pop and become more important, and the ability to to bring those to the forefront. And so I actually worked on a preterm birth

reduction initiative for a major health insurer, and just really, really helped them reorganize how they did maternal fetal medicine. And that and had them, you know, brought them to an area on the last birthing centers available in Washington, DC, you know, which is in a community where most of these health insurance executives did not go. But that's where I made sure that they had the meeting at the birthing center in the community. And it really it changed how they did business and how they were able to invest differently, to prevent premature birth and to support women, particularly women of color in all of the different areas that they serve better, since it was primarily a Medicaid, health, managed care health plan. And so, you know, we know today most of the births in this country, in the United States are served by Medicaid. And so to think of the difference that can be made by making it by turning around how they operated and supporting women. It's very exciting for me, and I know that they still have that program today, because I met their fabulous new Chief Health Equity officer and asked him what he was proudest about. And it was that program, it was that program he didn't even know that I had started over a decade ago. And so the Think of all the pregnancies that are different, because somebody who looks different thought different, ask different questions, wanted to put a priority on different things and doing different ways, was able to was there and was able to be successful. So I'm very excited about examples like that. And I'm fortunate enough that we've had the, you know, arc of time and history. So even if there are issues today, where we're looking at how to impact, you know, we're about to prepare for a program a month long program on parents and pregnant people in the rare liver disease space, or for anyone who has a liver disease, or is waiting for transplant, and may have been told that they couldn't have children are we'd be too dangerous? How can we make sure that those dreams aren't unfairly truncated? And that those risks are managed so that people with liver disease can go on to have families. And so being able to use the platform I've created through the Global liver Institute, to focus on those issues, to better support parents and pregnant people is really exciting to be able to do now. It's not just sort of me and my ideas, but in a mass of of resources, and attention that we can put that will hopefully have long term results.

Deneen L. Garrett  8:59 

That's awesome. And I know it was such a great feeling for him to share that his proudest moment was something that you created. I'm sure that did your heart are good. And you know what, I'm going to ask you the same question. So what, what has been your proudest moment?

Donna R. Cryer, JD  9:19 

Oh, I think my proudest moments are when I see people who have worked for me, shine and Excel. know, someone's that said recently that you're not a leader until you have produced a leader who's produced another leader. I don't know if I've got to that third generation leader yet. But I do know that, you know, several of my folks have have gone on to, you know, have wonderful impact us in the US and internationally throughout health care in different aspects. And those are those are my proudest, those are prime proudest moments?

Deneen L. Garrett  10:01 

Yeah, no. And I definitely understand that I had recently did an article, and it asked, What did I want my legacy to be? And my response was, you know, having that impact on elevating voices empowering women of color to live a dream lifestyle now, and because of Deneen blood that that, that, you know, so whatever that that is, you know, that's what I want my legacy to be So, absolutely. So I'm gonna pivot a little bit, I honor my sister, author and poet soltero by asking about dreams deferred, which is the title of one of her books, please share a dreams deferred moment.

Donna R. Cryer, JD  10:45 

Well, it's hard for me because I do live in the moment, I think it's an artifact of at one point being told I only have seven days to live. And so I can afford to defer too much. And I also think, that I like to come up with with new dreams and new and new goals. And I stay rather flexible. And so I'm more of the type of person who I used to have the sole. Calvin and Hobbes comic, in fact, I think it was in my high school yearbook. And he sort of falls, you know, trips, Dustin somersaults, and then it gets up, tada. Like, he meant that, and I am more of the type of person if, wherever I arrive, or whatever I'm doing acts like, and I meant exactly this, this was the dream all along. And, and so it's hard for me to think about dreams deferred, because, you know, I, I change them, I adapt to them, wherever I am. So grateful to be anywhere, doing anything, 28 years post liver transplant. You know, that's, that's the dream, every day is the dream.

Deneen L. Garrett  12:07 

work. And that's a beautiful way to live, right and living in the moment. And taking, you know, I meant to do that. Oh, I get that. And you know, and so I was talking about the legacy that I wanted to leave, you know, empowering women of color to live a dream lifestyle. And you've already talked a little bit about how you don't defer dreams, you live in the moment, you were given seven days to live. And so that's, that has totally changed how you walk through life. But tell us a little bit more about what living a dream lifestyle means to you, and more about how you are living a dream lifestyle. So beyond what you've shared.

Donna R. Cryer, JD  12:46 

I think it is an incredible privilege to walk in your purpose. You know, the, the worst thing, I think is, as is to be lost and to be still seeking for the why of why am I here? You know, why do I have this particular set of talents? Why don't I have other and and so having the global liver Institute, which has now become the largest patient advocacy organization, for liver health in the entire world, means that every day, I'm living my purpose. It's not something that I like I go to work, and then I you know, have to find hobbies or, or some way of expressing myself otherwise. It it is my creative outlet and expression of whether we're developing a new logo or a new program or solving a new problem and in a different geography. For a long time, I didn't think that I was a creative person, I thought that, you know, creativity was only you know, if you painted or sculpted, and in and I'm not sure you know who spoke a word to me or, or, or where I learned something just really liberating. That allowed me to see all that I was doing in creating this organization, these programs, see solutions and frankly, now, these people, you know, as a builder of people, it's a creative enterprise to coach to extract someone's greatest potential to help them to do things that they didn't think that they could do, but you saw something, you know, in them and then to apply it to a problem that has has been, you know, stymieing people keeping things from people from getting, you know, transplanted organs or, or, or medication, or, you know, finding their way into a research trial. That is, you know, that as much creativity has to stand so I don't have I have this fullest expression of myself, every day is in ways that, you know, stretch me and astound me. And, you know, I recognize so, so, go so far beyond me, that that can be nothing, nothing but, you know, a testimony to God's grace and goodness. So, I'm excited about every day and how I didn't move through the world. And the ripple effects of that of that movement, simply by living my purpose, not someone else's, with the skills that I've been given, not someone else's, or, or, or skills that I think I should have, or think I would meet, but just the ones that I have. And so working with those, trying to bring those out and make the most of those, and to lean into those and let the rest go, is a certain type of refining and honing, that it's exciting to be able to do at this stage of my life.

Deneen L. Garrett  16:34 

Yeah, so you know what, so I like to share, you know, at least three action items for women to follow. And so three things that I'm taking from our conversation is I meant to do that. So living life that way, right? Whatever it is that you did, you meant, right, right, and being excited about each day, you know, because you can choose how you approach that particular day, and accepting the skills that you have. Because so many people do get caught up in what they don't have. And they spend that time they're the spinning the wheels on what they don't have, as opposed to really leaning into and honing what they do have and, and growing those things. So those are three things that women can definitely take away. But I want to ask you, because you talked about before, impact or the legacy you want to leave is creating leaders who create other leaders, right, and also bringing out the greatness in people. So what are like three things that you do to accomplish? either?

Donna R. Cryer, JD  17:36 

I think that there's certainly an element of modeling for people, you know, showing them what it looks like, representation does matter, you know, I'm often the only one in the room and then how do you bring people with you, you know, when I leave a board, I want to leave with, you know, more people of color than then were there when I started. But, you know, for my, my team and my mentees, you know, modeling the behavior, modeling the actions, and then there's an element to of stepping back of letting go. You have to be strong enough and secure enough in yourself that you know, someone said to me once that it's so nice that you weren't worrying about, you know, someone outshining you, and I was like, it's not possible to outshine me. So, I, you know, and I say, a little tongue in cheek, but honestly, I'm secure enough in and of myself, that I love for people to, you know, to grow and to and to and to shine. And so it doesn't take anything away from me. And in fact, there were times when I stepped back, and I say, Well, you should go instead of me, or you should speak instead of me. Or you should rather be the representative instead of me, even when they feel that they're not ready, because otherwise how will they be ready. And so it takes a little discipline to step back. So they have to sort of force to grow into what you know, that they can be. And then I think the other you know, thing is we talk a lot about mentorship, but not as much about sponsorship. And so, you know, making sure that I'm putting people's names forward in rooms where they are, and that I speak up when someone saying, Oh, should we consider so and so was like, Yes, we should absolutely consider them or if their name is not being mentioned, having those names of you know, of other women in my you know, my pocket for speakers, bureaus or committee slots and saying, you know, have you thought of this, let me connect you she'd be great. And so being, you know, a cheerleader and a sponsor, in rooms where people aren't so that If they can, you know, they know that there's a voice of voice for them.

Deneen L. Garrett  20:05 

Yeah, so all three of those are powerful. And the last one, that sponsorship is so key for black women I read, or how black women are over mentored and under sponsored.

Donna R. Cryer, JD  20:16 

Yes, yes.

Deneen L. Garrett  20:19 

So I appreciate that you're speaking for others, I appreciate all of the things that you're doing except, you know, the modeling, right, you have to lead by example, stepping back, so you know, delegating and or, you know, allowing other people to shine, giving them opportunities to shine. And then again, the sponsoring of others speaking about them in those rooms, that they're not in those beautiful things, and definitely helpful. So before we wrap, what would you like to leave the guests with?

Donna R. Cryer, JD  20:49 

I would like to leave guests with a and admonishment to step into their own power. I remember, you know, being asked, well, what made you think that you could build a global organization? And I was like, what, what, what, why would I think I couldn't, you know, my parents poured so much into me, I had the best education in the world. You know, why would I think that I couldn't, and, and so, there are so many people that I see whose only limitations are themselves is their lack of confidence, their lack of belief, their lack of faith. And so I just, you know, speak to them to step out on faith, step into your power, step up into the fullness of yourself. That's, it's really, it's really the only way to live. And frankly, it's far less risky than letting all those dreams be deferred, or to staying in a place and letting an opportunity pass by or living someone else's purpose for you. I think that those are all far more dangerous and riskier options than simply becoming your, your fullest self, whatever that is.

Deneen L. Garrett  22:27 

Absolutely. Thank you so much. So Donna crier, thank you so much for lending your voice to an intimate conversation with women of color, and enjoy the rest of your day. Thank you

Transcribed by https://otter.ai