What if the healthcare system wasn’t just broken—but actually keeping people sick?
Hey there, Health Feast listeners! Dr. Rak here, and in this episode, I’m thrilled to welcome Dr. Marsha-Gail Davis to The Feast
[Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Watch on YouTube]
You may know her as Dr. D, a board-certified physician, a leader in Lifestyle Medicine, and a fierce advocate for health equity. She’s someone who brings an incredible mix of energy, creativity, and passion to everything she does—and let me tell you, it’s contagious.
In this episode, we get into:
✅ Her journey from Jamaica to Georgia and how her faith shaped her path in medicine
✅ Why health equity and lifestyle medicine must go hand in hand
✅ The hidden ways our food system keeps people sick—and how we fight back
✅ How small, consistent actions create big transformations
✅ The role of creativity in medicine and why storytelling is such a powerful tool for change
And one of the boldest and most memorable ways Marsha-Gail has delivered her message? WACK.
💡 WACK is a hip-hop music video that’s part health advocacy, part creative masterpiece, and all passion. It’s more than just a creative outlet—it’s a call to action. It’s powerful, it’s unforgettable, and it’s going to leave you thinking.
Marsha-Gail is not just discussing change—she’s actively making it happen. From group visits in primary care to using music and media to engage people in innovative ways, she’s challenging the system and inspiring others to follow suit. This conversation is filled with passion, actionable ideas, and ample inspiration to help you reimagine what healthcare could look like.
Live well and RAK on,
Dr. Rak 👊🏽
Takeaways
Health equity is non-negotiable. The current system leaves too many behind.
Lifestyle medicine is a game-changer. It must be accessible to all.
Community is medicine. True health starts outside the clinic.
Prevention > Treatment. The system needs to shift its focus.
Small steps, big impact. Consistency drives lasting change.
The healthcare system is WACK. It’s time to rethink and rebuild.
Creativity fuels advocacy. Music, art, and media can drive change.
Patients + providers = power. Together, we can demand better care.
Timestamps:
00:23 Dr. Rak’s Intro
04:14 Journey to Lifestyle Medicine
10:36 The Role of Faith in Health
16:10 Navigating the Healthcare System
20:33 Changing the System from Within
28:00 Bridging Health Equity and Lifestyle Medicine
32:37 Transforming Healthcare: From Illness Treatment to Health Promotion
35:26 The Misalignment of Healthcare Metrics and Patient Health
39:49 The Need for a New Primary Care Workforce
42:40 The Chronic Disease of Our Healthcare System
44:25 Creative Advocacy: Using Art to Address Health Issues
51:20 The Role of Community in Health Transformation
56:14 Self-Care Strategies for Healthcare Professionals
01:01:02 The Power of Hope and Community in Healthcare
Guest Bio
Dr. Marsha-Gail Davis is a quadruple board-certified physician in Internal Medicine, Preventive Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine, and Obesity Medicine. Born in Jamaica and raised in Georgia, she earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from Swarthmore College, her MD from the University of California, San Diego, and her MPH from San Diego State University. She completed residencies in Internal Medicine at Yale and Preventive Medicine at UC San Diego, solidifying her expertise in both treatment and prevention of chronic disease.
Currently, Dr. Davis practices at Piedmont Primary Care in Georgia, where she integrates lifestyle medicine into patient care, emphasizing preventive strategies to combat chronic illness. A firm believer in health equity, she works to bridge the gap in healthcare access and outcomes, advocating for structural changes that prioritize prevention, education, and holistic patient care.
Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Davis is a dynamic voice in health advocacy and creative storytelling. She is the creator of WACK!, a powerful and provocative hip-hop music video that exposes the dysfunction in the food and healthcare industries, using art and music as tools for social change. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Big Picture Learning, an organization focused on innovative education models that empower students.
Known online as Dr. D, she shares engaging health content through social media, blending evidence-based medicine, cultural awareness, and practical advice to inspire people to take charge of their health. With an unwavering commitment to changing the conversation around healthcare, Dr. Davis is a leading force in reimagining medicine as a tool for true health and empowerment.
Online Platforms:
Instagram: @mgdthedoc
X (formerly Twitter): @marshagaildavis
WACK www.wackvideo.com
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Disclaimer: The Health Feast is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. As with any changes affecting your health, we recommend and encourage you to consult your medical doctor or other qualified healthcare professionals before making lifestyle changes. The opinions expressed are our own and do not necessarily reflect the views of our employers.
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