Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Debbie Noble Lanham.
Hi Dr. Lanham, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born and raised in the Philippines and moved to America in my late teens. When I was seven years old, my parents raised pigs and kept them in a pigpen made of an old dilapidated concrete outhouse. My mother used to sell them for profit because being an employee of a governmental office alone did not provide sufficient financial support. My parents were government employees when I was growing up. There was a time when a piglet was failing to thrive, unable to feed from its mother because there were other strong and quick piglets able to feed. I cleaned out my old favorite bear-designed feeding bottle, poured liquid milk in it, and fed the piglet every single day a few times a day. I smelled like a pig by the time my parents stopped me from doing so, but I did it consistently for at least three months. One day, the piglet I named Baby Bear, after my feeding bottle, was finally healthy that my mom sold it and used the money to pay our late utility bills; Baby Bear saved the day – we had water and electricity for a month! That day, I knew I wanted to not only help people or animals get better, but I knew if I did, I would always have a job and food on the table for the family – commitment, consistency, and perseverance – they were all I had, yet they paid the bills.
Most of my relatives in America were nurses, and they were the ones who drew me closer to nursing. I knew at an incredibly early age a nurse was what I wanted to become… that and to have a loving family and become a mother just like my mom – generous, kind, industrious, committed, and loving.
Today, I am a nurse practitioner (NP) and have been in practice for over a decade and a half. I earned my bachelor’s degree, two master’s degrees, and my Doctorate degree in Nursing Practice at Georgia State University (GSU). My husband is a supportive one who challenges me to be the better version of myself. My precious children are the reasons why I strive to be kind in my thoughts and my actions, for they hear and see [almost] everything that I say and do.
One would say I reached my dreams and life goals, but I have more purpose in life designed to help and support others. God is showing me the way, so I obey, and I take one step at a time.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My journeys were far from smooth, but the challenges made me stronger. As an immigrant, I was oblivious to racism and discrimination because where I grew up, we all got along regardless of people’s skin color or financial status. If there were something as such, I am grateful to have not experienced any of that. In high school, I was excited to learn Spanish, I chose it as an elective. My teacher was a kind, Spanish-speaking lady. I sat in front of the class just so I could understand her (my English comprehension was poor) and of course, so I could learn Spanish. I did not know that it translated to me being a teacher’s pet, and for months, my classmates who never spoke to me or even befriended me, called me names that mostly pertained to my skin color or my accent and laughed at me every time I raised my hand to answer a question or ask one. I asked my father what it meant, what does racism mean, and what is discrimination? He told me to consult the dictionary, so I did. I was shocked. I realized it was something deeper than just name-calling. It was painful.
In nursing school, I failed one of the most important classes – Pharmacology. I did not understand pharmacodynamics or pharmacokinetics. The truth was, I just did not understand much of the English language that I struggled not only to comprehend the lectures but how to study for it. But did I ask my professor for help? No, because I thought she would not understand me or my accent. I failed the class and could not move on with the program before passing it, which I could only re-take the following year. For a year, I managed to work five odd jobs to save money for my matriculation and car. I kept those five odd jobs until I finished college… yes, with all the struggles, I finished it and decided I would become Nurse Practitioner (NP).
After completing my master’s degrees as an NP and clinical nurse specialist (CNS), it was time to prepare to have a family. I had a very stable career and my friends had already started theirs and were having babies. Dating in Atlanta was fun, funny, and crazy at the same time. There were nice guys, not so nice ones, or those who should have never shared their information to anyone because they were already committed to someone else. Dating was almost scary to say the least, so my last resort? Joining an online dating service. Back then, that was taboo, but I did it anyway, I just did not tell anyone except my best friend and my sister. Browsing through profiles, I saw a photo of an attractive young man with smiles that could knock you out, wearing a black shirt with his shaven head. A little voice told me to “wave” and say “hi” then I told myself, “You have nothing to lose.” I did not have anything to lose, I was alone and starting to feel lonely. Since that online introduction, we have been inseparable.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I feel and am blessed every day. I am a wife to a loving husband and a mother to kind and generous children. I am an Internal Medicine NP and currently the Director of Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) at a private practice in Atlanta. I am also a part-time Clinical Instructor for the GSU School of Nursing. I have been blessed with the opportunities to connect with healthcare professionals, nursing students, and business owners needing guidance on how to enhance their personal and professional well-being. Some healthcare providers consult with me and request my guidance on how to effectively collaborate with APPs to enhance patient healthcare access, improve patient health outcomes, and increase revenue.
I counsel and coach novice NPs providing them feedback regarding training, resumes, or contracts while allowing them to make their own career decisions. My recommendations and advice are just that, overall, it is still their decision. I show individuals that self-care practice is necessary, regardless of how important or busy they are. Self-care practice is a need, not a want, a luxury, or a privilege. Today, my husband and I are public speakers focusing on helping others rediscover their best versions or if they have not yet learned their true selves, we guide them until they build the character they need to succeed in life.
I am most proud of my accomplishments as a wife and mother because my family is who I love the most and the ones I prayed for and continue to pray for. I am proud of being a nurse, and I will always be a nurse. I am proud of my dreams that one day, I will build an orphanage or a children’s charity in the Philippines and Haiti and that my consulting business will continue to help those who need them.
I have more similarities than differences from others. Nothing sets me apart from them. I am not better than anyone in any way, nor am I more special. I just happened to learn from my shortcomings and use those as my steppingstones to reach my dreams and life goals. And now, I guide those who need just a little more push.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I learned along the way was to [really] know my character. Every time I failed at something, I asked myself who am I and what are my character foundations. Every time, my answers would propel me to connect with those who could mentor me or communities who could show me the ropes. I realized that all my shortcomings and failures did not define me; instead, they made my faith much stronger while relying on my character-building and connecting with my community. I know our world is full of kind people!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.drnoblelanham.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drnoblelanham/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drnoblelanham
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drnoblelanham/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@debbienl700
