Healer: The Dr. Joycelyn Elders Story

"You can't be what you can't see."

Healer: The Dr. Joycelyn Elders Story traces the remarkable life of Dr. Joycelyn Elders, who rose from humble beginnings in the cotton fields of Arkansas to national prominence as the first African American Surgeon General of the United States. The film follows her path from being the first in her family to attend college and medical school, to her controversial tenure as the nation's leading medical voice. 

As the Arkansas Director of Health, Dr. Elders spearheaded initiatives to improve public health access and education and pioneered solutions for teen pregnancy in an overwhelming conservative state, which laid the groundwork for her historic appointment as Surgeon General. On the national stage, she became known for her outspoken advocacy of sexual health education, reproductive rights, and the prevention of unintended pregnancies through contraception. Though her views were often labeled "controversial" at the time, they were rooted in medical consensus, common sense, and compassion, challenging cultural taboos that often kept communities silent. But because these opinions were being voiced by a Black woman, Dr. Elders found herself a target of more political vitriol than had ever before been directed towards a position previously considered largely apolitical, eventually resulting in her forced resignation. 

Dr. Elders' tenure marked a turning point in how public health could confront uncomfortable truths. Healer offers an opportunity to revisit her considerable achievements in a new light — breaking barriers of public ignorance and inspiring new generations to embrace honesty, equity, and healing.

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FILMMAKER'S STATEMENT: "As a physician practicing medicine for the last 18 years, the idea of Healer started in 2013 while researching women doctors and their contributions to medicine.

Attending medical school in the 1990's was challenging, but there were several women in my class, and I thought that was the norm. When I started to research and learn how women fought to become part of medicine, and that over 150 years ago the first woman to attend medical school in the United States had to be voted into medical school by an all male class, I knew the journey of women in medicine was a story I wanted to tell. The reality is if you want to achieve a goal you have to first believe in yourself. You cannot allow others opinions to dictate your path. And you have to work hard. The women in this documentary exemplify what it means to challenge, inspire, and defy convention. I hope after watching this film you will too."