How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield

In this episode of How I Got Here, Dreena welcomes Dr. Chris Pernell, a dynamic physician leader, health and wellness visionary, and social change agent. She’s a charismatic and leading voice in preventative medicine and public health and is currently working as a senior executive in a hospital in New Jersey. Chris is here to talk about her journey and her mission of educating the black and brown communities about the Covid-19 vaccines.


Chris grew up in a New Jersey school that lacked diversity, yet she knew and saw black excellence in her community. Her experience with prejudice shaped her sense of voice and advocacy, teaching her how to use her voice and stand up for herself at a young age. Chris knew she wanted to be a doctor since the sixth grade and has truly been prepared for her current roles since high school.


Chris details how attending Princeton University was a challenge academically and culturally, along with how taking two gap years lead to massive growth and expansion in her skills, later distinguishing her in medical school. She describes how her faith and her family helps her endure through life’s challenges, why it was important for her to take on the role of preventative medicine and public health physician, and why she participated in the Covid-19 vaccine trials. She also offers insight into her experience getting the Moderna vaccine and its accompanying symptoms.


“Historically, that is one of the inequities that we have to work on. Black and brown persons do not participate in clinical research in the levels that are equivalent to their representation of a population… and that’s for a host of reasons.”-  Dr. Chris Pernell


Stay tuned to hear about Chris’s disappointing encounter with Ben Carson and how she overcame a life-threatening illness while in her internship. Plus, she shares powerful advice on overcoming adversity and setbacks in life.


“Don’t be afraid to put certain dreams out to pasture, as long as you don’t put you out to pasture.”-  Dr. Chris Pernell



Connect with Dr. Chris Pernell:

Visit her website: www.drchrispernell.com 

Follow her on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thegooddoctormd 

Connect with her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/LifeClinic101 

Follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/DrChrisMD 

Connect with her on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/drctp


About the Host:

Dreena Whitfield has a proven ability to create tangible outcomes that helps clients exceed expectations. Her diverse career has led her to spearhead the communications and marketing efforts for leaders in the nonprofit, corporate and political sectors, as well as small businesses internationally.


With more than a decade of experience, Dreena and the WhitPR team have a proven ability to spot opportunities for our clients to grow their brand recognition in saturated markets that are in alignment with their overall objectives.


The Huffington Post listed Dreena as one of their “Top 25 African American Millennials in PR to Watch.”


Follow Dreena & WhitPR on all the socials:

@Dreenawhitpr & @whitpr


Join The WhitPR Collective: www.whitprcollective.com



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit howigotherewdreenaw.substack.com

Creators and Guests

Host
Dreena Whitfield
Dreena Whitfield-Brown is the Founder and CEO of WhitPR, an integrated strategic communications agency with 15+ years serving clients in the nonprofit, corporate, and political sectors. Recognized as one of PRWeek's 40 Under 40, a PR News Top Woman in PR, and named to Inc.'s 2025 Female Founders 500 List. She created How I Got Here to have the raw, honest conversations about entrepreneurship that nobody has on the record.
Producer
Keena Williams
Keena Williams is the founder of Struxa and the Executive Producer, Writer, and Creative Director of How I Got Here.

What is How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield?

How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield goes beyond the highlight reel with Black women founders, executives, and leaders. Real conversations about the pivots, the setbacks, and the purpose behind the work. From bootstrapping a beauty brand with $500 to leading a professional sports franchise, each episode explores the moments that shaped who they became and the cost of building something meaningful.
For women navigating leadership, business ownership, career reinvention, and the cost of ambition.

New episodes biweekly on Wednesdays.

Host: Dreena Whitfield
Executive Producer, Writer & Creative Director: Keena Williams / Struxa
howigotherewdreenaw.substack.com