Author: breannalathrop

By Breanna Lathrop Today I was seeing a patient I’ve been working with for a couple years now. We talked about his medication, his health, where he is living now, and his future plans. After his blood work, I brought in his bag of medications. He stopped before leaving and told me, “I just want … Continue reading Racism and Inequity

Georgia’s Medicaid waiver plan arrived this week. It’s pretty much exactly what many health advocates expected: a plan that will at best cover 50,000 of the over 400,000 who could qualify for Medicaid under a full expansion. As I read the coverage surrounding the release of the waiver plan I was discouraged not because of … Continue reading Medicaid: We Are Missing the Problem

By Breanna Lathrop Our oldest son is 7 and attends a large public school we love. Part of sending your kid to school is acknowledging that you lose more control over what they learn and when. Our son learned the F-word a few months into Kindergarten. He went from not knowing such a word existed … Continue reading On Telling My Son the N-word

By Breanna Lathrop On the radio this morning they were discussing the shootings and people were calling up and sharing their thoughts on whether this is a gun problem or a mental health problem. Any discussion is at least discussion versus simply moving on and accepting mass shootings as an unavoidable reality in our country. … Continue reading Reflections on Gun Violence

By Breanna Lathrop At the clinic, we are regularly asked by patients to complete paperwork to assist with social supports. Paperwork for handicap stickers, half-fare public transportation cards, rent relief, affordable housing eligibility, and the list goes on. Sometimes we know the patient well and other times we are just meeting. However, it always feels … Continue reading The Missing Box

By Breanna Lathrop My one-and-a-half-year-old points out any dog within a half-mile radius any time we are out. “Harry!!!” She yells, waiving at the dog. Harry is the name of our dog at home. “Yes,” I answer trying to encourage her while gently correcting, “that’s a dog!” She gives me a look like, that’s what … Continue reading When My World is Too Small

This week has been full of talking about social determinants of health, health equity, and healthy neighborhoods in a variety of places. We started the week at the Park Pride conference in Atlanta, a gathering of planners, advocates, volunteers, and landscape architects committed to creating public green spaces. We spoke about how built environment is … Continue reading On the Road for Healthy Neighborhoods

Having been a nurse practitioner for 11 years now, most of my experience in the health care system has been from the perspective of a provider. Even during my two pregnancies, I received care from a midwifery practice started by friends who graduated with me. For the most part I felt knowledgeable, in control, and … Continue reading On Being the Patient

By Breanna Lathrop My one year-old daughter has a beautiful red and white handmade dress that finally fits her. I have been waiting for her to be able to wear it and she has a sweet blue dress with ribbons to match. One of my patients made them for her months ago and they are … Continue reading Thoughts on Handmade Blankets

Two weeks ago, our book was released into the world. I’ll admit, I was a little nervous that this project of two years was leaving the comfort of trusted reviewers and friends for readers across the country. While I was apprehensive about the first negative review or an interview question I couldn’t answer, I was … Continue reading I’m Sorry