Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV)

FULFILLING HER DESTINY

GOD-ORDERED STEPS — As part of Making Headline News’ advance national coverage of Sarah Jakes Roberts’ Second Annual Woman Evolve Conference that takes place September 26-28 from Globe Life Field in Arlington, Dr. Nichole Pettway, who resides in San Francisco, doesn’t shy away from the notion that her educational journey was, as she calls it, “far from traditional.” An esteemed philanthropist in her own right, Dr. Pettway is widely regarded as a program manager for the Social Medicine Department at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.

In case you don’t know her, Dr. Nichole Pettway would like to introduce herself.

A proud native of the historic Bay Area, Dr. Pettway, by all accounts, has evolved as a thriving, progressive entrepreneur, one who has become accustomed to wearing a variety of hats in the process.
An esteemed philanthropist in her own right, Dr. Pettway is widely regarded as a program manager for the Social Medicine Department at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. In addition, she serves as an activist, entrepreneur, coach, motivational speaker, and accomplished author.
As part of Making Headline News’ advance national coverage of Sarah Jakes Roberts’ Second Annual Woman Evolve Conference that takes place September 26-28 from Globe Life Field in Arlington, Dr. Pettway, who resides in San Francisco, doesn’t shy away from the notion that her educational journey was, as she calls it, “far from traditional.”

BUY DR. PETTWAY’S BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D6DMP958?ref_=pe_93986420_774957520

SOLID SUPPORTING CAST — “I’ve been inspired by many people along the way, from the mentors who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself, to the countless individuals who’ve overcome their own challenges and continue to fight every day. Their stories of resilience and transformation drive me to keep pushing forward,” Dr. Pettway said of her solid support system.

“From barely being able to read, I eventually went back to school and got my high school diploma and then I really got embraced by the atmosphere of education,” Dr. Pettway told MHN during a recent interview.

Consequently, Dr. Pettway would further her education, completing seven certifications, thus ultimately acquiring a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management.

It wasn’t long thereafter that she garnered a Clinical Master’s Degree, this before eventually being dubbed a recipient for an Honorary Doctoral Degree in Humanities.

NEED NATIONAL MEDIA EXPOSURE? CALL TODAY: 901.690.6587

 

HONORABLE MENTION — Dr. Pettway recently became a recipient for an Honorary Doctoral Degree in Humanities from TIUA in Atlanta.

For what it’s worth, it was an awe-inspiring journey for Dr. Pettway, one she admittedly doesn’t merely take light, given she emerged amid humble beginnings.

“My journey in education is a testament to my belief that it’s never too late to learn and grow,” Dr. Pettway said. “My business is rooted in transforming lives. Through my work, I develop educational and training programs aimed at helping formerly incarcerated individuals end their recidivism.”
Interestingly enough, Dr. Pettway, through the immeasurable strides she’s made through her chosen professional, emphasized she has become dedicated to meeting the needs of those experiencing homelessness and mental health issues, a trend that subsequently fueled her desire to compose her featured book.

In June 2024, Dr. Pettway released her highly-anticipated memoir, Against All Odds: A Triumphant Journey From Addiction And Incarceration, a riveting, life-altering book that, much to her delight, has been as advertised since its ceremonious release.

A MAJOR MUST READ

GET THIS BOOK — A spiritually-empowering, riveting masterpiece that made its official debut June 5, Dr. Pettway’s Against All Odds: A Triumphant Journey From Addiction And Incarceration is widely regarded as a gripping memoir, one that chronicles the turbulent journey of overcoming adversity and finding redemption, according to a detailed synopsis of this author’s book via Amazon.com.

According to Dr. Pettway, she managed to sale 47 books in less than two weeks since her memoir’s June 5 debut.

A spiritually-empowering, riveting masterpiece that made its official debut June 5, Dr. Pettway’s Against All Odds: A Triumphant Journey From Addiction And Incarceration is widely regarded as a gripping memoir, one that chronicles the turbulent journey of overcoming adversity and finding redemption, according to a detailed synopsis of this author’s book via Amazon.com.

“Through Dr. Nichole’s raw and candid storytelling, she shares their harrowing experiences with addiction, crime, and imprisonment, offering a glimpse into the darkest corners of her past,” said an Amazon spokesperson for Dr. Pettway featured book. “Despite facing insurmountable obstacles, they discover resilience, courage, and hope in the unlikeliest of places.

“From the depths of despair to the triumph of redemption, this book serves as a powerful testament to the human spirit’s capacity for transformation and renewal. Through Dr. Nichole Pettway’s inspiring story, she shines a light on the universal themes of perseverance, forgiveness, and the unwavering pursuit of self-discovery and healing.”

SISTA-TO-SISTA

IN REMARKABLE COMPANY — Dr. Pettway poses for a photo with longtime Washington, DC mental health advocate Dr. Rhonda M. Wood.

As for her competitive drive through the ever-evolving entrepreneurship arena, Dr. Pettway credits what she appropriately describes as a survival instinct, of sorts.

“Facing addiction, incarceration, and societal barriers, I knew that I had to fight for my life and my future,” Dr. Pettway said. “This drive not only propelled me to transform my own life but also fueled my passion for helping others overcome similar challenges. I channel this energy into my business, where I strive to create opportunities for others to succeed against all odds.”

A flouring business venture that customarily services adults — particularly those who are or have been formerly incarcerated, struggling with addiction, or facing homelessness, she said — Dr. Pettway acknowledged the principles and lessons she’s been afforded to share are universal and can resonate with anyone seeking transformation, regardless of age.

“This venture has taken me to various parts of the country, including speaking engagements in Orlando and connections with organizations across the United States,” Dr. Pettway told MHN. “My story and work resonate with people nationwide who are seeking to break free from their past and create a better future.”
Added Dr. Pettway:

“My memoir, Against All Odds, and my motivational speaking engagements are extensions of my commitment to inspire and empower others.

“I’ve been inspired by many people along the way, from the mentors who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself, to the countless individuals who’ve overcome their own challenges and continue to fight every day. Their stories of resilience and transformation drive me to keep pushing forward.”.

BASKING IN GOD’S GLORY

WOMAN OF MANY HATS — To her credit, Dr. Pettway serves as an activist, entrepreneur, coach, motivational speaker, and accomplished author.

“I feel that it is incumbent upon me, [having] come from that dark place in my life, to help someone else who may be struggling to make it to shore.

As the Program Manager of Social Medicine for the fast-paced emergency room of Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, Nichole Pettway and her team do more than just connect patients to the right specialists for their most urgent complaints. Drawing on her training in CIIS’ Community Mental Health master’s program, Pettway does her best to supervise her team of health workers and connect patients in need — often those with chronic issues such as hunger, substance abuse, or unstable access to mental health care or medication — with resources beyond whatever brought them into the ER.

It is far from an easy job: San Francisco General is the largest area hospital providing acute and rehabilitative psychiatric care, and the only San Francisco hospital offering 24/7 emergency psychiatric care. In addition, it is unusual among large research and teaching hospitals in that it is a public institution, run by the San Francisco Department of Public Health, and a safety net hospital charged with providing care to all San Franciscans regardless of income or immigration status, in over 20 languages. Pettway’s team includes two patient care coordinators, and navigators for substance use disorder and food insecurity.

Often, patients who are struggling in multiple ways turn up in the ER for lack of anywhere else to go, and Pettway and her staff triage with the physicians, nurses, and social workers to determine whether patients need emergency admission or connection to other supportive services — identifying, as she says, “patients whose chronicity of social issues is higher than their chronicity of medical issues.”

In her work, Pettway draws on her own life experiences: as an African American, the mother of a disabled daughter, a recovering addict, a survivor of abuse, and a formerly incarcerated person, Pettway knows the struggles of her patients firsthand. As she says, “I feel that it is incumbent upon me, [having] come from that dark place in my life, to help someone else who may be struggling to make it to shore.” When she started in her current role at San Francisco General, Pettway struggled with imposter syndrome from the disparities between her background and those of her med school-trained, published colleagues. But one notably told her, “You’re more qualified to be here than anybody else because you come with a life experience that helps us treat the client that you used to be.”

“I’ve held onto that,” Pettway says. “I’ve walked with my head high.”

Her own bridge to shore was far from easy to cross, but a truly remarkable journey. Starting in 2009 with no high school education and many barriers to overcome, Pettway was able to earn her high school diploma from John Adams Community College. She went on to study for four years at City College of San Francisco and ultimately completed a B.S. from the University of Phoenix. After working for supportive programs for those with substance abuse disorder and the formerly incarcerated, Pettway decided to apply to CIIS to earn an M.A. in Community Mental Health, an education that she hoped would enable her to “be the best clinician” that she could be for these vulnerable communities.

Despite starting grad school in the fall of 2019 and getting only one in-person semester before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, she found her experience at CIIS transformative. If anything, the context of the pandemic made her coursework and connections to her cohort feel even more vital, underscoring the essential nature of community mental health. Pettway and her fellow students “uplifted each other and supported each other through this very difficult process of working as essential workers, working with folks who were very vulnerable populations, trying not to get Covid [them]selves and also being able to manage and navigate through this mental health program in uncharted waters.”

Pettway was also profoundly inspired by the courses in Black psychology that she took during her degree, which she feels enabled her to both process her own background and better serve her community. “I think I brought the sauce,” Pettway says of being able to use her experiences in life and work as a lens for class discussion. “Understanding how to deal with trauma in our society for people of color,” she says, “was the most rewarding aspect of CIIS. The instructors were talking about some very sensitive information, sensitive things about generational dysfunction and the trauma of how Black people have been treated in America. But we did it with diversity and inclusion. We did it with a sense of pride, and we did it with a lot of humility.” That humility and consideration, she feels, enables clinicians to “sit with another individual and allow them to go through their [struggles] without your own personal bias,” adding, “I really learned that from CIIS.” Pettway singled out the leadership of Rachel Bryant, CIIS’ Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (herself a graduate of the Community Mental Health program), for providing invaluable grounding and support for students of color at CIIS.

In addition to her work at San Francisco General, Pettway has also started a nonprofit — The Building Bridges Foundation — to support the formerly incarcerated, assist them from day one with community support and resources, and end recidivism. Building Bridges, she says, is about forging wide-reaching and deep connections with people, and learning to trust others and the process. “It takes a lot of perseverance. It takes a lot of resilience. And I did not know that I possessed what it took. And so I allowed someone else to believe in me until I believed in myself enough, and I held someone’s hand, and then I held another hand, and I held another hand until I had a support system so strong that I was able to sustain.” Pettway cites the community of fellow students and instructors at CIIS as an integral part of that support system. The “family of folks that I engaged with at CIIS instilled so much hope in me, instilled so much encouragement to continue on.” She recently received an honorary doctorate from Trinity School of Business for her work, and her book Against All Odds: A Triumphant Journey from Addiction and Incarceration was published in June 2024.

Pettway continues to build bridges at CIIS, too, offering support to any current students: “I do have internships available for mental health students,” she exhorts. “Reach out to me.”