Celebrating Women of Color in Veriheal’s Doctor Network

Theressa Williams is a board-certified family nurse practitioner in Baltimore at Jade Health and Wellness, LLC where she is currently working on adding mental health services. She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the American Nurses Association. 

Veriheal: “How did you become involved with medical cannabis?” 

Theressa: “I became involved with medical cannabis after doing research and realizing the good results patients had after using it. Many patients were able to use cannabis instead of depending on medications that were not helpful for issues such as pain, insomnia, depression, and muscle spasms just to name a few. Cannabis helps decrease pain, inflammation, helps improve sleep, and so much more. I am glad to be able to give patients another alternative (cannabis) as a treatment option for various conditions.”  

Dr. Yanetsi Flores Landa is a board-certified pediatrician and medical aesthetics doctor in Florida and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She completed her medical degree at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey. 

Veriheal: “Why are you passionate about medical cannabis?” 

Yanetsi: “I am passionate about medical cannabis because I have seen its medicinal value through my patients’ experience with it. I have seen how plant medicine (in this case medical cannabis) has helped relieve the physical and mental pain in so many of my patients. I got involved with medical cannabis less than a year ago, and I was introduced to this field of medicine through two other doctors. I was inspired by them and felt a calling to join and help as many patients as possible.” 

Dr. Simi Ahuja is a board-certified family physician who works with plants at a very intimate level and teaches patients about balancing mind, body, and soul. She completed her degree at the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine and her residency through UWHealth Family Medicine Program (UWMadison’s rural track). 

Veriheal: “Why are you passionate about medical cannabis?” 

Simi: “Healing is my passion and the main reason I became a board-certified family physician. Cannabis has a great potential to heal when used with the right intention…If we want to experience the greatest healing benefit a plant has to offer, then it is important to cultivate a relationship with those plants, whether it’s a vegetable or medical marijuana. One way to do this is by expressing an interest through raising your awareness about how the plant acts in your body. Does it evoke an emotional reaction compelling you to clear that which no longer serves you? Or does it help you to focus?… Cultivating mindfulness is important when coming into contact with the energy of the plant, and is especially important with regard to cannabis when used medically.” 

Ayako Monsell, also known as the Hemp Fairy, is a cannabis educator who focuses on rare cannabinoids, terpenes, and equity and inclusion for all. She serves as the Secretary of Wellness Education for the Cannabis Advocates of Nevada (WeCan702) and is a member of Cannabis Equity and Inclusion Community Nevada (CEICNV). 

Veriheal: “Why are you passionate about medical cannabis?” 

Ayako: “I am passionate about educating others about regulated cannabis, because I watched so many, including myself, walk out of dispensaries or the doctor’s office with no idea how to use cannabis effectively. Terpenes, which give the strains its different effects, made a lot more sense to my analytical mind than the idea of buying only ‘indica or sativa,’ which could still leave me sleepy during the day or anxious at night.”