Who We Are

MY HEALTH REIMAGINED is grounded in the belief that storytelling is a critical driver of health outcomes, scientific integrity, and policy accountability.

We understand that persistent health inequities are reinforced not only by access gaps and structural barriers but also by dominant narratives that frame marginalized communities primarily through risk, deficit, and disease burden. When this happens, communities most affected by health inequities are often positioned as subjects of study rather than partners in knowledge creation. This imbalance perpetuates outcomes that fail to fully reflect lived realities, and thereby inequitably impacts:

  • Clinical research design and participant selection

  • Healthcare interactions and treatment strategies

  • Policy priorities and funding allocations

Black and Brown communities are most impacted by inequitable health outcomes and are most often excluded from shaping the stories that guide our health systems. My Health Reimagined addresses this imbalance by positioning community storytelling as a lever for accountability, trust‑building, and systems change; and we are dedicated to uplifting voices that historically are unheard, underrepresented, or undervalued in health narratives.

This work is about reshaping how health is understood, how outcomes are discussed, and how studies are designed. We are rewriting health narratives that influence research, patient-doctor interactions, and decision‑making systems; and we are doing the work one conversation at a time.

Conversations are guided by our pillar THRIVE components: Transforming mis-calibrated health standards to better represent our communities (let’s transform how our health is understood); Honoring the sovereignty of our health data and shifting decision-making power (let’s honor our unique experiences); Reclaiming our resiliences, strengthening our strengths, and realizing the origins of our risks (let’s reclaim our voice and realize our value); Innovating strategies to enhance our whole-person health (let’s innovate solutions to strengthen our strengths); Valuing our ancestral and cultural roots; Exchanging knowledge through storytelling and the arts.

A 3D model of keyboard keys spelling the word 'THRIVE'. The keys have text on their lower part with messages about health and community empowerment, such as 'Transform mis-calibrated health standards to better represent our communities', 'Honor the sovereignty of our health data and shift decision-making power', 'Reclaim our resiliences, strengthen our strengths, and realize the origins of our risks', 'Innovate strategies to enhance our whole-person health', 'Value our ancestral and cultural roots', and 'Exchange knowledge through storytelling and the arts'.

Meet LaVerne

LaVerne is the host of our THRIVE podcast series and founding executive director at My Health Reimagined. LaVerne experienced firsthand how her story was missing from narratives that determined the significance of some health outcomes over others and the appropriateness of established health standards. Motivated by a disconnect between her personal story and her professional career as a biomedical scientist, LaVerne launched My Health Reimagined to offer a space for storytelling and bi-directional learning. She recognizes the crucial role of our stories in shaping health policies, and she believes that, by sharing our stories, we can help rebuild a health system that better serves all.

LaVerne has an earned Ph.D. in natural products chemistry (1998) and post-doctoral training in medicinal chemistry (2001). She’s also gained experience as a policy fellow (2016-2018) via the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) policy program. For the past 25+ years, LaVerne has used her training and experiences for educating, community outreach, health advocacy, and policy/program reform.

For fun, LaVerne loves dancing to her favorite tunes, trying new dishes at outdoor cafes, and knitting while sitting in a cozy spot in front of the fireplace.

Stylized portrait of a smiling woman with curly hair, wearing earrings.

Meet the Team

  • LaVerne L. Brown, Ph.D.

    FOUNDER and EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  • ALTHEA DUKE, BSN, RN

    CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • Yasmeen Nkrumah-Elie, Ph.D.

    SECRETARY, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • ALBERT E. WALKER

    TREASURER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS