On This Episode Of The Public Health Epidemiology Conversations (PHEC) Podcast
For a while now, Dr. Huntley has been looking for a way to share her story with you of when she took care of her ailing mother, but the subject has just been too daunting for her to confront alone. So in this episode, we welcome Dr. Cynthia J. Hickman back to the show as Dr. Huntley’s companion, and the pair walk us through their personal journeys of being caregivers for loved ones in need. Dr. Hickman is a registered nurse by trade and she’s added author, educator, speaker, and consultant to her impressive list of professional capabilities. When Dr. Hickman saw the undeniable correlation between public health and community health, she knew that she had to get involved in public health in order to address the health crises of her community. She shares about the health conditions and community demographics that are closest to her heart. We discuss the value of aging in place, why caregiving requires preemption and proactivity, how to find the balance between allowing independence and providing care, the stories behind Dr. Hickman’s two books, and why now is the perfect time to read them. To end, Dr. Hickman shares some advice that resonates heavily with Dr. Huntley, and we discuss the business side of caregiving before learning how to connect with today’s guest.
Meet Dr. Hickman
Dr. Cynthia J. Hickman is a retired care manager practicing at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital (SLEH) in Houston, Texas. Dr. Hickman has completed two degrees: a Master of Nursing specializing in education (2009) and her Ph.D. in Health Services with a leadership specialization (2016) from Walden University. She is a part-time faculty member teaching evidence-based nursing. Dr. Cynthia J. Hickman owns Your Proactive Caregiver Advocate, a keynote speaker and caregiver resource platform. She is also the author of From the Lens of Daughter, Nurse, and Caregiver: A Journey of Duty and Honor, sharing her 20-year journey of caring for her mother and The Black Book of Important Information for Caregivers. It details the necessity of mindfulness of the business side of being a caregiver. Dr. Hickman founded the Socks 4 Seniors Community Project in Missouri City, Texas, in 2020, and as of 2023, has given over 1,600 pairs of socks to nursing homes and assisted living residents in her community. Last year, she received support from Bombus Socks, an apparel brand company that donates socks to community programs. Dr. Hickman spoke nationally with Shawn Fair at the Leadership Experience Speaker's Tour, sharing her powerful story of caregiving and resilience. Dr. Hickman was the 66th Winter commencement speaker for Walden University. She has become a storyteller, passionate about education, caregiving, and strategies to help others navigate life challenges when caring for aging loved ones.
Accomplishments:
• Author- from The Lens of Daughter, Nurse, and Caregiver: A Journey of Duty and Honor, rated 5-star by readers on Amazon. com
• Author: The Black Book of Important Information for Caregivers
• Blogger- a regular contributor on Medium.com
• Research Fellowship-Walden University Social Change Fellow (2019)
• Community Service Award-Johnson & Johnson Health Care Leadership and $50,000 Award.
• Nursing Scholarship: The Cynthia J. Hickman "Pay It Forward" Nursing Scholarship
• Congressional Recognition for Nurse of the Year Professional Organizations
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc, Omicron Gamma Chapter
• Walden University Multicultural and International Student Society (VP)
• Walden University Ambassador and Alumni
• Prairie View A & M University College of Nursing Mentoring Program
• Walden University Leadership and Social Change Fellow
• National Black Nurse Association (NBNA) Lifetime Member
• Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Association
• National Society of Leadership and Success
• Fort Bend County Black Nurses Association
• Beta-Beta Houston Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau
• Zeta- Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc.
Listen To This Episode Of The Public Health Epidemiology Conversations (PHEC) Podcast
Conversation Highlights
Why caregiving is a very personal, daunting, yet exciting topic for Dr. Huntley
Welcoming the one person Dr. Huntley could have this conversation with, Dr. Cynthia J. Hickman (and happy birthday to her!)
When Dr. Hickman first considered a public health career, and why she became a caregiver
The public health conditions and populations that she’s most passionate about
Discussing why it’s better for the elderly to age in place
Why it’s important to be more proactive and preemptive in caregiving
The stories behind Dr. Hickman’s books, and why you shouldn’t wait to read them
Navigating the dilemma of when to allow independence and when to provide care
The business side of caregiving
Why you need Dr. Hickman to speak at your organization, and how to connect with her
“The reality is that community health [and] public health is so connected that you really can’t do one without the other.” — Dr. Cynthia J. Hickman
Links Mentioned in This Episode
Dr. Hickman’s Books
Connect with Dr. Hickman
Connect with Dr. Huntley
Podcast Links
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DrCHHuntley LLC is a public health consulting firm that specializes in epidemiology consulting, supporting large nonprofit organizations in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, and Florida that serve Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). We also provide nationwide public health consulting and epidemiology consulting support to BIPOC organizations across the United States.