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Takeaways:
- Dr. Hall’s journey began with a passion for global health.
- Zena Health Network aims to create a community-centered healthcare model.
- Whole health encompasses physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.
- Collaboration is essential for improving healthcare outcomes.
- Listening to community needs is crucial for addressing health disparities.
- Transitioning from physician to entrepreneur requires a mindset shift.
- Valuing diverse voices leads to better healthcare solutions.
- Health equity is a priority for Zena Health Network.
- The future of healthcare can be more inclusive and community-driven.
- Dr. Hall encourages passionate individuals to join the movement.
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Transcript (shorter version of our episode):
Dr. Dana Corriel (00:05):
Hi everyone, and welcome back to another episode of From Print to Pod. Today we have Dr. Athena Hall with us to discuss her feature interview, Reimagining Healthcare: Athena Hall’s Community-Driven Mission. Dr. Hall, welcome! Please tell us a little about yourself.
Dr. Athena Hall (00:25):
Thank you! I’m a pediatrician based in Seattle, Washington, and I’ve always had a deep curiosity and passion for global health. That journey began right before medical school when I volunteered in Tanzania. It solidified my goal to return one day with the skills and knowledge to support low-resource communities in creating healthier lives.
After residency, I completed a global health fellowship, spending time in Rwanda and on a Navajo reservation in the Four Corners region. During that time, I noticed we were pushing a one-size-fits-all healthcare model that didn’t consider the values and needs of the communities we were serving. It led to division and mistrust.
When I returned to the U.S., I saw the same issues playing out here. People weren’t being asked what they wanted, and our rigid model was costing them—sometimes financially, sometimes with their health. So I created ZNA Health Network to bring together healthcare professionals and community members to collaboratively reimagine healthcare—centered on what truly matters to people.
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Dr. Dana Corriel (02:56):
Thank you for that. You actually answered my first question already—your “why” behind building ZNA Health Network. Is “ZNA” an acronym?
Dr. Athena Hall (03:13):
Not exactly. I was brainstorming names when I met a woman named Zena, and something about her name just clicked. I altered the spelling to Z-N-A to represent our future health—like our next-generation DNA. It reflects the legacy I want us to build in healthcare for future generations.
Dr. Dana Corriel (03:49):
You’ve spoken about shifting healthcare toward a community-centered model. What does “whole health” mean to you, and how does ZNA support that vision?
Dr. Athena Hall (04:03):
Whole health means looking beyond physical health to include emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. We are complex beings, and healthcare should reflect that. Some systems, like one in Alaska, are doing this well. They integrate mental health services and even traditional healers into their care teams. That level of investment in every aspect of a person’s health is what I envision for the future.
Dr. Dana Corriel (05:06):
You mentioned feeling isolated and burned out in traditional practice. How does ZNA help prevent that for today’s healthcare workers?
Dr. Athena Hall (05:15):
ZNA is a collaborative space that breaks down silos between healthcare professionals and people outside the system—like those in food services, education, or policy. We all work together to support community health. That shared mission and connectivity help combat isolation.
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Dr. Dana Corriel (05:54):
What mindset shifts did you have to make in transitioning from physician to entrepreneur?
Dr. Athena Hall (06:04):
A big one was letting go of my hyper-independence. I used to pride myself on doing everything alone, but that mindset doesn’t work in entrepreneurship. I’ve had to embrace teamwork—recognizing what I bring to the table and inviting others to bring their strengths, too. We can’t do this work alone.
Dr. Dana Corriel (07:02):
You mentioned funding challenges in your interview. What advice would you give to other physicians bootstrapping their ventures?
Dr. Athena Hall (07:16):
Plan ahead. Know how much you’re willing to invest and set clear limits. I went a bit too far because I was so passionate about the mission. And don’t be afraid to ask for help—early and often.
Dr. Dana Corriel (07:49):
Thank you for sharing that. ZNA brings together healthcare professionals and community members. How do you ensure both voices are equally valued?
Dr. Athena Hall (08:10):
It starts with culture—creating a space where every voice is seen as valuable. Everyone has unique experiences and ideas, and we encourage people to speak up while also making room for others to do the same. It’s about mutual respect and shared purpose.
Dr. Dana Corriel (08:48):
How do you see ZNA helping improve health equity in underserved communities?
Dr. Athena Hall (08:57):
It begins with listening. When we truly hear what communities need and act on those needs, we can prevent the deeper health issues that arise from things like housing instability, chronic stress, or systemic racism. Addressing those root causes early can prevent ER visits and long-term health problems.
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Dr. Dana Corriel (10:12):
What’s your medical specialty again?
Dr. Athena Hall (10:18):
I’m a pediatrician. I work in hospitals and urgent care.
Dr. Dana Corriel (10:22):
Good to know. Now, if you could wave a magic wand and change one thing about how medical institutions operate, what would it be?
Dr. Athena Hall (10:37):
Collaboration. We need to work together more—sharing resources, knowledge, and ideas across departments and roles. That shift would make a huge difference in both patient care and staff morale.
Dr. Dana Corriel (11:18):
Final question: What excites you most about the future of healthcare entrepreneurship, and where do you see ZNA in the next five years?
Dr. Athena Hall (11:37):
What excites me most is the possibility of breaking down the elitism in healthcare and really working side-by-side with communities. I want ZNA to continue fostering that deep listening and equal partnership—truly caring for our communities in ways that matter.
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Dr. Dana Corriel (12:24):
One more quick question—where do you host your community?
Dr. Athena Hall (12:34):
We’re on Mighty Networks. If you visit my website, there’s a button that says “Join the Movement,” and that will take you straight there.
Dr. Dana Corriel (12:46):
Perfect. And to our listeners, don’t forget that SoMeDocs hosts a communities directory. Head to doctorsonsocialmedia.com/communities to connect with people like Dr. Hall and many other healthcare innovators. Dr. Hall, any final thoughts?
Dr. Athena Hall (13:22):
Just that we’d love to welcome anyone who’s passionate about reimagining healthcare. Your voice matters, and we’d love to have you in the network.
Dr. Dana Corriel (13:40):
Thank you so much for being here.
Dr. Athena Hall (13:42):
Thank you!
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I used to pride myself on doing everything alone, but that mindset doesn’t work in entrepreneurship.
