Episode 03: Dr. Marc Watkins – Chief Medical Officer – Food as Medicine, Mentor Inspiration, Listen to Understand Racism, Military and Medical Training, and Kroger’s Response to the Pandemic

Season 1

Oct 7

Summary

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Marc Watkins, Chief Medical Officer of Kroger Health. We cover a wide range of topics in our conversation that includes Watkins’ passion for food as medicine and his journey with weight loss, why he chose to practice medicine, an important discussion on racism, Watkins’ service in Iraq and how it impacted his practice in the U.S., and Kroger’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic as a grocer and clinic.

Dr. Watkins is thoughtful with his words and approach, and listeners of all backgrounds will gain insight and encouragement from this conversation.

Show Notes

Food as Medicine

As CMO of Kroger Health, one of Dr. Watkins’ favorite parts of the job is their dietician/nutritional programs coupled with their food as medicine strategy. Food as medicine is not a new concept, but despite its proven success is often difficult to implement. Kroger is well positioned as a grocer and clinic to help bridge the gap between the provider’s office and food decisions because of their integrated model.

It’s a common myth that you must be wealthy to eat healthy and Watkins shares it’s more about making healthy choices. They help their customers do that through their OptUP App that has a free food scoring system.

How Obesity and Diabetes Can Be Positively Impacted by Food

Watkins shares alarming statistics about obesity and diabetes but emphasizes that these diseases can be positively impacted by food, no matter where you are on the continuum. He shares his own journey with weight loss after getting a bad cholesterol report. One of the key mindsets he focused on was the importance of focusing on what he was gaining through weight loss instead of what he was losing.

Why Dr. Watkins Chose to Practice Medicine

Outside of his supportive parents, Watkins points to an unexpected mentor in his life – Dr. Seymour Charles, his child pediatrician. Charles echoes his parents’ encouragement that he could be anything he wanted to be, including a physician. His advocacy for the safety and health of children helped Watkins realize the impact he could have in the medical field.

At one point, Charles even promised that if Watkins got accepted into medical school that he’d pay for it. Thankfully for Charles, Watkins got a full U.S. Navy scholarship to pay for medical school. Nonetheless, at 22 years old, Watkins made an appointment with his child pediatrician to tell him the news and thank him for his support.

Watkins studied at Meharry Medical College which has a wonderful legacy of educating African-American doctors in the U.S.

Listen to Understand Systemic Racism

Watkins shares the importance of non-people of color being willing to listen to understand - not respond. People of color are already aware of having to adapt their behavior where expectations are different. He desires an America that isn’t different based on the color of your skin.

He continues with practical advice on having important, intentional conversations with children and responding to racist comments or microaggressions in the workplace. These type of comments – if unchecked – only perpetuate negative perceptions and biases.

Rely on Training in Both the Military and Medical Practice

During his time in the U.S. Navy, one of his unit assignments was Support Squadron to support the Marine Corps and included everything from frontline medical/dental to aviation support. He spent time in Iraq during 2005-2006 in a combat zone dealing with Iraqi Freedom.

Watkins describes some of the difficult scenes he experienced while in Iraq and the importance of relying on your training in traumatic, stressful environments. As he was told when getting ready to deploy: “If you weren’t trained to do this, you wouldn’t be here.” Another piece of wisdom that he’s carried with him through his entire medical career is to be available. You are there because you have a job to do. You signed up for this, and people are counting on you. Now it’s simply time to show up.

How Kroger Responded to the Pandemic

Kroger faced the unique challenge and opportunity of being an essential business as both a grocer and clinic. Watkins discusses the development of a task force that mobilized the company to be one of the first to implement many of the changes and precautions that are now standard, months after the start of the pandemic. Amid so much uncertainty, they also managed to hire an additional 25,000 employees to mobilize their essential services.

They’ve also been a crucial part in providing drive-thru COVID-19 testing and ensuring faster turnaround times for over 150,000 Americans in 19 states. Despite having so many parts of their business threatened by the pandemic, it’s amazing to see Kroger’s response that has such a broad impact on the country.

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