Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bernadette Lim. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Bernadette, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
As the daughter of Filipino and Toisan immigrants, I witnessed firsthand the challenges my mother faced navigating the medical system as an immigrant with limited English proficiency. Seeing her trauma and powerlessness in the face of medical authority drove me to pursue medicine, not just to become a healer, but to fundamentally reimagine what a healing system could be for marginalized communities. My own experiences growing up and examining my roots also played a pivotal role in shaping my purpose. Embracing my cultural identity — from my Filipino ancestry to my work in music, herbalism, and holistic practices– allowed me to see the need for there to be a deeper realization and integration into what community medicine can and should be. It also helped me be determined in being a bridge for Western medicine to broaden its perspectives and practices on holistic and integrative health. This realization, combined with my firsthand knowledge of the health disparities faced by Black, Brown, and immigrant communities, led me to found the Freedom Community Clinic – an organization dedicated to integrating ancestral, holistic healing with the strengths of Western medicine. By centering the needs and healing modalities of marginalized communities, I am working to redefine medicine as not just the absence of disease, but the presence of freedom to live as one’s authentic self. This powerful vision, born out of my own lived experiences, is the driving force behind my work.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
As the Founder and Executive Director of the Freedom Community Clinic, my work is centered on bringing “Whole-Person Healing to the People” by integrating the wisdom of Ancestral Healing with the strengths of Western medicine. The Freedom Community Clinic offers a unique approach that challenges the dominant narratives of the pharmaceutical industry and traditional Western medical system. Our origin story is unique such that we started organizing street healing clinics from our car trunks in the wake of the racial justice protests in response to George Floyd of 2020. Fast forward 4 years later, we are a community-based integrative medicine ecosystem based in Oakland, CA that has brought Whole-Person Healing to 7,500+ people in the Bay and beyond, prioritizing the healing of Black, Brown, and immigrant communities.
What I find most exciting and special about this work is the opportunity to redefine medicine for Black, Brown, and immigrant communities – not as the absence of disease, but as the presence of freedom to live as one’s authentic self. By prioritizing the healing of Black, Brown, Native, and immigrant communities, we are building a new paradigm that honors and uplifts the ancestral healing modalities of these communities.
Some of the key initiatives we have underway at the Freedom Community Clinic include:
1. Community Healing Clinics – Through our continued community healing clinics, our goal is to affirm the healing and well-being of systemically disinvested communities in the midst of unaddressed and ongoing trauma and violence. We partner with 60+ local organizations servicing Black, Brown, and immigrant communities to do healing clinics, workshops, and events for community members and staff. Current and past partners include: City of Oakland Department of Violence Prevention, West Berkeley Health Center for elderly residents and people of low-income, West Coast Children’s Clinic, SFLGBTQ+ Center, Roots Community Health Center, Black Cultural Zone, the Unity Council, ROC the Bay, Mujeres Unidas y Activas, Urban Peace Movement, The Underground Scholars, TRYBE, RYSE Richmond, Healing Clinic Collective, and more.
2. School-Based Healing – Freedom Community Clinic partners and works at a middle school, high school, and university level in Alameda County and beyond to advance the health, healing, and well-being of young people. Programming includes weekly healing electives; healing clinics for students, staff, and parents; restorative justice circles and workshops; and field trips. Our school-based healing partners include: Oakland Unified School District, Rusdale Continuation for Spanish-speaking newcomer and mixed status youth, Madison Park Academy in Deep East Oakland, ARISE High School in Fruitvale East Oakland, Peralta Community Colleges, including Laney College and Merritt College, various student groups at UC Berkeley and CSU East Bay.
3. Community Healing Centers – Our two community healing centers located in Fruitvale East Oakland and Downtown/West Oakland hold free and/or community scale healing services prioritizing Black, Brown, and immigrant communities. Our Downtown/West Oakland location also operates as our community pharmacy and apothecary. Each are open daily and Healers-in-Residence programs and special events (workshops, health trainings, lectures, galleries, and more) that provide free 1-on-1 services and community offerings. Our locations are strategically located to able to serve Black families in West Oakland and our immigrant, Spanish-speaking, and Mam-speaking communities in East Oakland.
4. Community Apprenticeship Programs – We hold two annual summer apprenticeship programs called the Freedom School for Healing & Justice (for Black, Brown, and immigrant young adults ages 18-40) and Promotoras de Sanacion (for Spanish-speaking women and elders). Each consist of summer cohorts of 40+ each in which participants are taught through an applied community apprenticeship model guided by FCC’s Whole-Person Healing framework. Trainees are formally trained in basic herbalism, meditation/breathwork, health education basics, and mental health first aid training. Group dialogues and reflection assignments will also draw upon somatics, self-reflection, Black feminism, critical race theory, healing justice, ethnic studies, cultural anthropology, political science, sociology, and more to integrate healing with historical & contemporary social justice frameworks. The course spans 6 months and includes an 8-week summer intensive course and service apprenticeship that extends until December 2023. Trainees who successfully complete the 8-week series are be invited to complete 15 community service hours (3-5 healing clinics) through Freedom Community Clinic to obtain their health education certification, mental health first aid, and FCC Healer certification the next months through service at community healing clinics & events. We have trained 100+ apprentices since the launch of these programs in summer 2023.
5. Ancestral Healing Farm – Our Ancestral Healing Farm Sanctuary is a 1-acre sanctuary located 10 min from downtown Oakland, dedicated to the cultural preservation and cultivation of medicines of the global diaspora including but not limited to: Native & Ancestral Medicines of African, Latine, Asian, South Asian, and Arab diaspora. Since the launch of our community work and learning days in May 2024, we have welcomed and educated 250+ community members on the medicinal power of being on the land and cultivating ancestral botanical medicines.
6. Collaborations and Partnerships – We partner with various institutions and clinics such as UCSF School of Medicine, West Coast Children’s Clinic, the City of Oakland, and more on incorporating values of community healing, wellness, and culturally affirming care in institutional and organizational culture. We offer half-day leadership immersions and workshop series to cultivate these collaborations and partnerships to shifting institutional culture.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, I believe the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that have been most impactful in my journey are:
1) Lived Experiences and Cultural Awareness: My personal experiences as the daughter of Filipino and Toisan immigrants, as well as my deep embrace of my cultural identity, have been foundational to shaping my purpose and approach. Understanding the challenges faced by marginalized communities from a firsthand perspective has given me invaluable insights that drive my work. For those early in their journey, I would encourage them to deeply reflect on their own lived experiences and cultural heritage. How have these shaped your worldview and your understanding of systemic inequities? Honoring and drawing wisdom from your roots can be a powerful source of purpose and direction.
2) Interdisciplinary Expertise: My training spans medicine, public health, holistic healing modalities, and the creative arts. This diverse background has allowed me to take an integrative, whole-person approach to healthcare, blending Western and ancestral practices. Seek out opportunities to expand your knowledge and skill set across different disciplines. Don’t be limited by traditional boundaries – explore connections between fields like health, culture, spirituality, and the arts. This interdisciplinary mindset can lead to innovative solutions.
3) Community Engagement and Collaborative Leadership: I’ve emphasized the importance of building deep relationships with local organizations and centering the voices of the communities I serve. I bridge my academic training with deep community collaboration, engagement, and solidarity. My collaborative, community-driven approach is central to the success of the Freedom Community Clinic. Prioritize building trust and meaningful partnerships within the communities you aim to support. Listen to their needs and empower them to co-create solutions. Foster an inclusive, participatory model of leadership that values diversity and collective wisdom.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
First and foremost, I make sure to prioritize my own self-care and healing practices. As the founder of the Freedom Community Clinic, I know the importance of modeling whole-person wellness for my team and the communities we serve. This means making time for daily meditation, breathwork, and movement practices that help me reconnect with my mind, body, and spirit. I also find immense grounding and rejuvenation in spending time in nature, whether that’s tending to my home garden or taking a hike in the hills around Oakland. Being in communion with the natural world helps remind me of the cyclical, interconnected nature of healing and our place within it.
Additionally, I make a concerted effort to lean on my support network, both personally and professionally. I’m fortunate to have an incredible, team at the Freedom Community Clinic and network of advisors who I can turn to for guidance, encouragement, and a listening ear when I’m feeling the weight of our important work.
And when I need to step away completely, I find solace in my artistic outlets – playing piano or even just dancing to reconnect with the rhythms of my body and spirit. I dance hula and salsa. The creative process has a way of opening new perspectives and pathways forward.
Ultimately, I’ve learned that acknowledging and addressing feelings of overwhelm head-on is essential. It’s not about pushing through or trying to be superhuman, but rather about honoring my own humanity and needs so I can continue showing up fully for the communities I serve.
My advice to others who may be experiencing similar feelings is to build a robust self-awareness, ritual, and nourishment practice – experiment to find the practices and activities that help you most effectively process emotions, restore balance, and maintain your passion and energy for the work. And don’t be afraid to ask for help from your support systems. We all need community to weather the challenges of driving transformative change.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.drbernielim
- Instagram: @drbernielim
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/bnlim
- Twitter: twitter.com/drbernielim
