Blog

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

My (Veronica) lived experience over the last twelve years confirms what studies repeatedly show: trauma disproportionately impacts low-income, minority communities. When my family lived in southwest Atlanta, we were struck early on by the frequency of heartache, and the way it seemed to happen at a higher, more intense frequency for our neighbors than the … Continue reading Concentrated Trauma

A wall of memories from our years in southwest Atlanta In many homes people like to hang photos of their loved ones. It's a way to honor and celebrate the people who matter to us. One of my (Veronica) favorite things about our home is that no matter where I turn, I can see a … Continue reading The Wall in our House

I (Veronica) live in a neighborhood on the Westside of Atlanta that at some point was identified as a “mission field” by major church denominations. In my small community there are four different churches, one of which sits on the property across the street from my home. It’s an older, historic church building surrounded by … Continue reading Sometimes we need a good neighbor more than we need another church.

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 Veronica Squires Yesterday I led a retreat with my administrative team at the Good Sam clinic that took a deep dive into social determinants of health and community asset mapping. I found myself needing to articulate how and why the lifespan gaps that exist in our city (and many other major cities across the … Continue reading The Accelerated Weathering is the Injustice

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

Veronica's Family at the 2018 DragonCon Parade in Atlanta. We want to be like the Incredibles saving the world, but sometimes we just... aren't. When I (Veronica) was on maternity leave with Emma last year, I was introduced to a podcast (Failed Missionary with Corey Pigg) and a book (The Very Worst Missionary by Jamie … Continue reading When Missions Fail