CEOMOM Fall 2020

LETTER FROM THE
EDITOR
MAKING OUR HEALTH A
PRIORITY
A lot has happened since our Summer 2020 issue. It seems that 2020
continues to be a year full of surprises with twists and turns. We continue
to not know what will happen next. My grandmother used to say, "You
never know from one minute to the next." That summarizes the sentiment
of 2020. With all of the chaos and confusion of this year, making our health
a priority has become even more paramount. From our mental to our
emotional and physical health, we must consider our whole beings as we
implement our self-care routines. We must be intentional and forward
thinking as we work to maintain optimal health.
In our Fall 2020 issue, we interviewed several doctors who are on the
front lines of helping us get and stay healthy. We interviewed Dr. Tiffany
Woodus of Woodus Obstetrics & Gynecology, who is working to eliminate
the health disparities among Black and brown women, and Dr. Bianca
Busch, a Massachusetts based psychiatrist who works with children and
families to manage depression and anxiety. We talked to moms who are
defying the odds and showing that pregnancy does not eliminate a
woman's physical capabilities. Natasha Hastings, Olympic Gold medalist,
spoke to us about her initial fears of becoming a new mom. After having
her beautiful son, Liam, and continuing a great relationship with her
sponsors, Hastings is now preparing for the 2021 Olympics.
We also spoke with Victoria Thomas, founder of JOURNEYFIT. Thomas
works with pregnant women, helping them to stay fit before, during and
after pregnancy by equipping them with health related education, tips and
resources.
Our cover mom, Dr. Porchia James, an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Specialist, shows the impact dental health has on the rest of our bodies.
We also talk about what work needs to be done to increase Black and
brown dental professionals, and why it is so important to have medical
professionals who can relate to the communities they serve.
We can't release an issue in November 2020 and not talk about the 2020
election that just passed. Although chaos in the White House continues to
ensue, we have to congratulate Kamala Harris for becoming the first
African-American and Indian-American woman to be elected Vice-
President of the United States of America. One of the best parts of this
celebration are the memes commenting on all of the broken glass on the
ground. This is a victory for women, and we have to relish in a job well
done. We're looking forward to the future, as soon as the present calms
down. Whew!
Editor-in-Chief
Vonna Matthews
CEOMOM | 5