We recently had the chance to connect with Dr. Joyvina Evans and have shared our conversation below.
Joyvina, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Watching students achieve their goals fills me with immense pride. Their success reflects the support and guidance I’ve had the privilege to provide, and I consider it an honor to be part of their journey. Whether it’s gaining admission to medical or nursing school, or being accepted into a graduate program they once thought was out of reach, every milestone is deeply meaningful to me. Just this year, one of my students began medical school at the University of Chicago, another started her Master of Public Health at Brown University, and four others entered their second year at prestigious institutions including the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Columbia University, Brown University, and Charles Drew University.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Dr. Joyvina Evans, and I earned a Ph.D. in Public Health with a specialization in Community Health Promotion and Education, along with master’s degrees in Public Health and Administration, and a bachelor’s in Business Management. I was born in Norfolk, Virginia, and raised in Flint, Michigan, I’ve spent over a decade working across clinical, academic, and administrative research settings. Following my work in research, I transitioned into higher education, where I’ve found my passion in teaching, curriculum development, and academic leadership. I’m deeply committed to student success, and I take pride in seeing those I’ve mentored gain admission to top-tier institutions like the University of Chicago, Brown University, Columbia, and Johns Hopkins. I am also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and I love traveling.
Currently, I am working on research focused on two critical and often overlooked areas of women’s health: uterine fibroids and period poverty. One of my projects examines the impact of uterine fibroids on women, particularly Black women, who are not only more likely to develop fibroids but also tend to experience more severe symptoms and complications. My personal journey with uterine fibroids inspired me to found Advocating for My Uterus, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating women—and those who love and support them—about reproductive health issues.
In addition, I’m exploring the issue of period poverty, which affects individuals who lack consistent access to menstrual products, education, or proper sanitation. This issue has far-reaching implications—not just for physical health, but also for mental well-being.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
One of the most pivotal influences in my life was my high school teacher, Mrs. Leola Harris. I’ll never forget visiting her during my freshman year of college and telling her that I planned to earn my associate degree and be done with college. Without hesitation, she looked me in the eye and said, ‘Absolutely not.’ She told me I was going to earn a bachelor’s degree—and then go on to at least earn a master’s.
While there is absolutely nothing wrong with pursuing an associate degree, what she saw in me was something I hadn’t yet seen in myself: the potential for leadership, scholarship, and impact through higher education. Her belief in me planted the seed for everything I’ve achieved since. Sometimes, it takes one person seeing the bigger picture to change the entire trajectory of your life—and for me, that person was Mrs. Harris.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There have been many times when I’ve felt like giving up. But in those times, I’ve learned to keep my ‘why’ at the forefront and to focus on what truly matters. I understand that the road to success isn’t easy, and setbacks are inevitable. When I have those days, I allow myself to pause, regroup, and reset—but then I get back up and keep moving forward. My purpose is what keeps me going.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Quality time is my love language—it’s how I connect most deeply with others. I also hold integrity as a core value; doing the right thing, even when no one is watching, is non-negotiable for me.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
Being near water brings me peace. At least twice a year, I intentionally set aside time to spend a few days by the water—it’s where I feel most grounded and closest to God.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.advocatingformyuterus.com
- Instagram: iamdrjoy
Image Credits
Professional photo outside of library: Kelsie Kirton at KK Visuals
