Dr. P On The Pod

Pernessa C. Seele

Podcast by The Balm In Gilead, Inc.

  1. 9 jul

    #282 Servanthood in Action: Leading Change Through Faith, Healthcare, and Community Service

    Dr. Janelle K. St. Louis is a pharmacist, educator, ministry leader, community advocate, and candidate for Chesapeake City Council who is passionate about serving God by serving people. She currently serves as a Clinical Pharmacist serving our active duty, veterans, and their families. She is also an Adjunct Professor, helping to educate and mentor the next generation of healthcare professionals. Beyond her professional career, Dr. St. Louis has dedicated her life to community service and faith-based leadership. She serves as Director of the Health and Wellness Ministry at The Mount Chesapeake, where she helps advance the church’s mission to Care, Connect, and Cover God’s people through health education, outreach, and advocacy. Under her leadership, the ministry has expanded its impact through community health fairs, wellness initiatives, health screenings, and partnerships that address health disparities throughout Hampton Roads. In 2026, Dr. St. Louis answered the call to public service by running for Chesapeake City Council. Her campaign is rooted in the belief that leadership is stewardship and that elected officials should put people before politics. Guided by her experience as a healthcare professional, educator, and woman of faith, she is committed to improving public health, supporting small businesses, strengthening neighborhoods, addressing flooding and environmental challenges, and ensuring every resident has a voice in local government. Above all, Dr. St. Louis is a woman of faith who believes her purpose is found in serving others and glorifying God through her work. Her life verse, Philippians 4:13, reminds her daily that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Whether caring for patients, mentoring young leaders, serving her church, or advocating for her community, Dr. St. Louis strives to live out the words of Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Her mission is simple: to use her gifts, knowledge, and faith to make a lasting difference in the lives of others and to leave every community she serves better than she found it.

  2. 14 mei

    #277 Cherishing Golden Memories with Dr. Sherri Garrett

    Dr. Sherri Garrett, a native of Cedartown, GA, grew up as an Army brat. She is the daughter of the late Sgt. Lloyd Garrett and the late Clara Garrett. After graduation from Clark College in 1976, Sherri began her career as a teacher at Cedartown High School, Polk County, Georgia. During that time, she earned a Masters of Education degree in Curriculum /Supervision from the University of West Georgia. Following her stint at Cedartown High she moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and taught English for 7 years at Boyd Anderson High School. In 1986, she was called back to Polk County, GA to serve as the school district’s elementary curriculum director and, simultaneously, serve as an interim elementary principal. In 1988, a new journey led her to various administrative positions with McGraw-Hill Publishing and McDougal-Littell Publishing Companies. Her 20 year affiliation with these textbook publishing companies bolstered her love of books and reading. After her retirement from textbook publishing Sherri decided to go back to school to pursue a doctorate at the University of Georgia. While pursuing her degree, she continued to teach as an assistant professor at Brenau University in Gainesville, Ga., and as a literacy coach for the two middle schools in Polk County. In 2015 she was awarded a PhD in Language and Literacy. Also in 2015 Sherri embarked on her final leg of employment as a certified English teacher taking a position at Lithia Springs High School in Douglas County. In 2018, Dr. Sherri Garrett retired officially. But it did not stop there… Dr. Garrett keeps busy with the following organizations: · Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. for 50+ years; · Board Member of Polk County Historical Society · Book Reviewer for Ferst Readers, Inc. · Administrator of the Elm Street High School and the Cedar Hill High School historical Facebook Groups · Works with the Summerhill Legacy Group (Cartersville, GA) and the Black High School Reunion. · Member of the Georgia Black History Trail Initiative. Dr. Garrett is a member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Powder Springs, Ga. and she is single with no children.

  3. 7 mei

    #276 Policy in Practice: A Mother’s Day Reflection with Pamela Price

    Pamela D. Price currently serves as the Deputy Director for The Balm In Gilead, managing the various health initiatives of the organization.  Under her leadership, the organization provides support to faith institutions in areas of program design, implementation, and evaluation, which strengthen their capacity to deliver programs and services that contribute to the elimination of health disparities.  In addition to her role as Deputy Director, she also serves as the Director for The National Brain Health Center for African-Americans.  As the Center’s director, she co-developed a six-part educational curriculum for nurses and allied healthcare professionals aimed at addressing knowledge gaps related to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias affecting African Americans.  She also co-authored and facilitates an accredited training for healthcare providers and clinicians, aimed at increasing cultural competencies related to the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of dementia in African Americans among providers.  Mrs. Price holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health and has more than 20 years of experience in public health, epidemiology, and healthcare. She has served as a member of the U.S. Army Nurse Corp and excelled in both government and non-governmental agencies, providing leadership and guidance on program management, quality improvement, and project development.  Mrs. Price has conducted hundreds of training sessions across the country with various nursing associations, healthcare organizations, and conferences.

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Podcast by The Balm In Gilead, Inc.