Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Andreia White.
Hi Dr. Andreia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey started in rural Alabama as a little girl standing on an old tree stump. Two other girls from my hometown stood on nearby stumps, and we started talking about what we wanted to be when we grew up. I said, “I want to be a nurse.” I was excited to share my plan with a young lady at my church who was in nursing school at the time. She asked, “Have you ever thought about being a doctor?” I looked at her, a little puzzled, and said, “No.” But her question lingered in my mind. From that point on, becoming a doctor became the only thing on my list of “what I want to be when I grow up.”
Fast forward several years later, my dad had a health scare and that was a pivotal moment for me. He was misdiagnosed at a local ER, and it wasn’t until my mom drove him two hours away that we learned he had a ruptured appendix. That moment changed everything. I knew then that I had to become a doctor.
I graduated from Tuskegee University, with honors, but the journey to medicine wasn’t easy. I didn’t get into medical school on the first try, but I didn’t give up. I was accepted into a post-baccalaureate program in Illinois, and with the support of my family, I packed up my things (and my 4-year-old daughter) and made the move. I had very little money, but I had faith that I was on the right path. That program opened the door, and eventually, I was accepted into medical school.
Currently, I am a Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician and I also serve as the Assistant Chief Medical Officer at Cahaba Medical Care. Beyond the clinic walls, Telehealth, and leadership meetings, I speak at conferences, schools, community events, etc. on topics related to family health and wellness. I’m also the creator and host of the Voices For a Healthy Legacy podcast, where I sit down with relatable medical professionals to discuss health, wellness, and the everyday realities that impact our communities.
Whether I’m caring for a patient or speaking to a crowd, my goal is the same: to help families build a healthy legacy in an effort to improve generational health outcomes.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. The road has had its fair share of bumps and detours. Not getting into medical school on my first try, stung. Really, really bad. It took time to shake off the rejection. I had to regroup and enter a post-baccalaureate program to strengthen my application, all while watching some of my peers move forward without me. There were times when I questioned if I was on the right path.
Even once I got into medical school, balancing the demands of school and life wasn’t easy. There were sacrifices, such as missed events, sleepless nights and plenty of self-doubt. However, at the peak of some very discouraging moments, I learned to lean on my faith, trust God and the process, and keep moving forward.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
In my role as Assistant Chief Medical Officer at Cahaba Medical Care (CMC), I lead efforts to support the clinical operations, protocols, and wellbeing of our medical providers (physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants). CMC offers comprehensive care to patients of all ages in rural and underserved communities. Many of those we serve face complex health challenges that might otherwise go unaddressed. In addition to providing clinical care, I serve on our small internal collaborative operations team, working to improve systems, enhance the patient experience, and support clinical teams across our organization of more than 600 employees.
Outside of clinical work, I’m a speaker passionate about making health and wellness topics relatable and relevant. I’ve had the privilege of speaking at conferences, high schools, college campuses, community events, small groups, webinars, and have even served twice as the commencement speaker at my high school alma mater. No matter the setting, I love creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and empowered.
What sets me apart is my ability to lead with compassion while maintaining a deep respect for structure and protocols. I create environments where people feel safe and respected, whether I’m delivering care or speaking from a stage. I’ve learned that compassion doesn’t mean compromise, and kindness is not weakness. I’m proud to lead in a way that uplifts others, stays true to who I am, and holds the line when it comes to doing things the right way.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I’ve created a variety of simple, printable health tracking tools to support people on their wellness journey. Whether you’re building healthier habits, keeping an eye on key health metrics, or working to stay consistent with routines, these tools are designed to help you stay on track and feel more in control of your progress. They’re practical, easy to use, and made to meet you right where you are. You can find them on my website at DrAndreiaW.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://DrAndreiaW.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drandreiaw/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drandreiaw/
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/drandreiaw
- Twitter: https://x.com/DrAndreiaW
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@drandreiaw
- Other: https://youtube.com/@voicesforahealthylegacy
Image Credits
Image Credits: Ebony Bomani
