Published December 2023
Dr. Pate served over 30 years as an educator, administrator, and professor with many of those years in health-related organizations and medical education. Just as her geography changed from Arizona to the Midwest to Philadelphia, her career trajectory has been one of re-invention and change. These years saw her serving as the linchpin between society and what it asks of its citizens and individuals who, because of disability, disenfranchisement, and/or otherwise disempowered, end up being left out. Her accomplishments included obtaining over $10 million in local, state and federal grants and resources to support educational and health-related programs and services, including serving as Associate Director of the Primary Care Institute at Temple University School of Medicine in the late 1990s.
Her latest reinvention was spurred by the 2016 election and subsequent Women’s March that focused her talents, experiences, and skillsets on empowering individuals to take back their health lives. Partnering with Tammy Williams, Founder and CEO of Envision2bWell, Inc., Dr. Pate wove medical, population health and human services research into the Social Health Empowerment® framework that became the foundation for its signature digital platform. Currently she is working on a book regarding the care and neglect of our vulnerable students in public schools and the environments they need to succeed. She lives with her husband in center city Philadelphia and loves all things outdoors.
What led you to a career path in education, particularly special education?
I became an educator not because of what I did have, but because of what my siblings and I did not have. Being poor and in a dysfunctional and neglectful family, my siblings and I had all kinds of labels ascribed to us throughout our school years, and they were not the positive ones. For example, in fourth grade, I was told I was an “overachiever.” I was drawn to special education mostly because I had the freedom to teach and work with students few other teachers wanted. I did not have to teach a prescribed curriculum and I could focus on what the students needed to succeed. When I became a professor and teacher-educator, I focused on supporting students in communities of poverty.
Tell us a bit about Envision2bWell, Inc, your role, and the people it served.
Envision2bWell was the brainchild of Tammy E. Williams, a woman I met in Philadelphia after the 2017 Women’s March. I had just left higher education after 17 years and wanted to utilize my education and skills to serve underserved women. Beginning as She’s It, LLC in 2017 and reinvented into Envision2bWell in 2019, we were a start-up digital health company creating a mobile health platform that was funded by the Ben Franklin Technology Partners, among other funders. As a start-up, I had several leadership roles including obtaining HIPAA compliance and bringing on interns to work in all areas of the company. I created the Social Health Empowerment® framework and an assessment that was used by several companies. In addition, we went to health and wellness fairs in urban cities across the country and provided health assessments to hundreds of underserved women and men who learned about the connection between body fat and health. Unfortunately, we recently had to close the company for lack of continued funding.
What first interested you about becoming a Fellow of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia? What are your favorite aspects of the College?
I became interested in The College of Physicians of Philadelphia because of the work within the Center for Education, specifically the STEM Internship programs, Out4STEM and Girls One Diaspora. I was impressed with the College’s commitment to underserved young people and the well organized and supportive STEM programs available to high school students. One of my favorite aspects of the College is the different programs that Fellows can attend such as the Public Health Forums and other lectures, the programs for women Fellows, and the community-oriented events such as the Philadelphia Orchestra Chamber Music concerts. The opportunity to meet Fellows from many disciplines through the various programs is also a plus.
What role(s) do you hope to see the College fill within the Philadelphia community in the coming years?
First, the Hinkson Holloway Mentorship Program that began this year is meeting a critical need in Philadelphia, that of supporting black male students from high school and early college through academics, service, and leadership programs that support them in navigating the challenging journey to medicine. It is my hope that this program continues as it will support a much-needed constituency in medicine. In addition, I hope the College will continue to engage diverse professionals who have the potential to make real impact in education and health and can be a catalyst to effectuate positive change here in Philadelphia and the world.
Tell us about your work at La Salle Academy. How is their approach to education different than other schools?
La Salle Academy is a Catholic school grades 3-8 for some of our poorest students in Philadelphia. As one of the founding board members, I have been delighted with our first 20 years to reach a 90+ percent high school graduation rate, primarily due to our extended day and year requirements, high school support, along with the many volunteers and supporters giving our students a larger sense of what is possible for them. La Salle Academy will be discussed in the book I am writing about the school environment and what our most vulnerable students need to succeed and thrive in the 21st Century.
Do you have any advice for young people today for finding a rewarding career that aligns with their talents?
My advice would be to learn from people from diverse backgrounds and experiences, including those you admire. Learning what opportunities successful people in many walks of life pursued early in their careers can help you set short-term goals.
What do high school students need to understand to be successful in college?
Ask for the help you need, persevere in your studies, and don’t get discouraged. Finally, if possible, find a mentor; someone who cares and can help you be accountable to you.
What are your thoughts about social media and the classroom? What is your main concern facing our youth today regarding social media?
AI will change the way students write and think, and it concerns me that the overuse of AI would make it more difficult for students to find their individual voices. Digital platforms do offer opportunities for more creativity and connection. However, it seems to me that the bullying and harassment has not lessened and causes mental health and other issues that our teens are so young to have to face.
Thank you! Any other thoughts or insights to share with us?
No matter the independence wanted and desired by teens, they still want and need desperately mentors and other adults in their sphere of influence who can help them stay grounded and yet explore what is possible for them.