Sorry, but I do like reggae. Soooo, I gave you an ample dose of it. Frankly with all of the current kerfluffle I think a good chunk of one drop rhythm will make almost anyone happy…and cousin, we need some happy right now. So, there you are.

In this series we find out that would-be meteorologists can fall into things like health care disparity research in Amish communities in Geauga and Holmes County, Ohio. Melissa Thomas PhD has a doctorate in science (public health) and is super smart and as non-threatening as anyone you will ever meet. She is just a very pleasant person and she has a very sophisticated sense of humor. That means that you can have a real conversation with her without feeling like you need a vacation afterward.

Melissa has a heart for the Amish. Specifically understanding breast cancer in their communities and helping them not die from a disease that has a pretty good survival rate if patients just know what to do. She works tirelessly at trying to help a substantial portion of the population of Ohio.

The talk is definitely about the Amish but it is also about cultural competency and how health care folks can move into and out of cultures that are very different from their own and not do damage in the process. She has a lot of wisdom to share and we hope you find something new to think about.

Fun Fact, I edited this in July 2020 and I just went to Amish country and it was vibrant and working and sunny and greatly enjoyable. You should go. As well they have a lot of eBikes. Yes, the Amish do use technology but they are very concerned about how anything they use affects their humility and their relationship with God so they consider carefully the impact of any new thing on their way of life. Go to Amish country, learn and see some wonderful folks who represent some of the awesomeness of our great state.

Melissa Thomas PhD

https://www.ohio.edu/uc/thomasm5

Avon Corporation

https://about.avon.com/us-about/corporate-responsibility/avon-breast-cancer-crusade

Daniel Skinner PhD

https://www.ohio.edu/experts/expert/daniel-skinner

Dan also produces a podcast called “Prognosis” https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prognosis-ohio/id1438757698

Berkeley Franz PhD

https://www.ohio.edu/experts/expert/berkeley-franz

Todd’s Three Rules of Civil Affairs:

1. All people want to grow old and die peacefully in their sleep.

2. All people want to see their grandchildren.

3. All people want ice cream on Sunday.

In 29 years of working across any number of populations across cultures on 7 continents I have operated with these three rules as the starting point for any discussion and/or negotiation and they have never failed me. Always start with what is common to all of us and you will find the dialogue goes a lot better.

As far as wonkish tschotchkies I have now given Melissa a baby Yoda…seriously. If you ever visit her she will probably have him on her desk…

Catch us on twitter at @RotationsPcast

Todd @MedicalCinema. Brian @Profplow and Nisarg @NisargBakshi

Todd at TR Fredricks on Facebook.

Look for more Rotations Content at

iTunes at Rotations Podcast.

Intro and Outro Music:
Autumn Breeze by Roger Rivas
Courtesy of Artlist.io

Produced by: Todd Fredricks DO and Brian Plow MFA
Edited by: Todd Fredricks DO
Cohost: Sarah Adkins PharmD (Because she was bored) her minion “Pi” had no choice in the matter.
Disclaimers: Todd Fredricks, DO
Cut Clip: None… we are getting there with production

Rotations is part of the Media in Medicine family of medical storytelling and is copyrighted.

Rotations is made possible by the generous understanding and accommodation of our beloved institution, Ohio University and by the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and Scripps College of Communications. The comments and ideas expressed on Rotations are that of the content creators alone and may not reflect official policy or the opinion of any agency of the Ohio University.

Ver todos los episodios