Dr. Ankrehah Trimble Johnson, known as Dr. Kre, is more than just a board-certified family medicine physician. She is a life coach, entrepreneur, speaker, and advocate rooted deeply in her mission to transform the lives of women—physically, mentally, and emotionally. As the founder of Brownstone Healthcare & Aesthetics in Birmingham, Alabama, and Medical Director of the Living Well PrEP Clinic, Dr. Kre is on a mission to help women live healthy, happy, and whole lives.
Born and raised in the heart of Alabama’s Black Belt, Dr. Kre’s inspiration began early. “My father was a pastor, and I used to tag along with him to visit the sick in the hospital,” she recalls. “While he prayed and comforted them, I asked all the medical questions. That’s when I knew I wanted to be a doctor.”
She specializes in direct primary care—a model that allows patients to pay a monthly fee and access personalized care directly. “We cut out the middleman. My patients can text me directly. It’s affordable, accessible, and human,” Dr. Kre explains.
Recognizing the Signs
As a fierce advocate for mental health, particularly during Mental Health Awareness Month, Dr. Kre wants women to stop ignoring the signs of struggle. “If you’re constantly anxious, getting a nervous stomach, sweating through your clothes, or feeling overwhelmed but calling it ‘normal’ — that’s a red flag,” she says. “High-functioning depression is real. We wear the mask Monday through Friday, but by the weekend, we’re in bed with the covers over our heads.”
Another overlooked symptom? Sleep disruptions. “Sleeping too much or too little is often tied to our mental health,” she adds. “And we tend to brush it off as aging or stress. It might be more than that.”
Dismantling the Strong Black Woman Myth
Dr. Kre believes the “strong Black woman” narrative is doing more harm than good. “We inherited that mindset from our mothers and grandmothers. But we never saw their struggles—they cried behind closed doors. Now we’re carrying expectations no one actually gave us,” she says. “We need to break that cycle by building real community—a tribe of women who hold space for each other.”
Advocacy Starts with Preparation
When it comes to healthcare, Dr. Kre emphasizes the power of preparation. “I love when patients walk in with a list,” she says. “Write down your questions, your concerns—even if it’s 20 items. That way, we can run through everything efficiently.”
She encourages women to ask about their family history and how it may affect their health timeline. “Don’t just show up. Be curious. Ask, ‘Should I be screening for this? Does this run in my family?’ And if you’re not being heard—leave. Get a second opinion. Your health is worth it.”
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The Screenings You Need to Know
According to Dr. Kre, many women are relying on outdated recommendations. “Black women should get a baseline mammogram around age 35, not 40. Colonoscopies should start at 45, and pap smears in your twenties,” she says. “And let’s not forget the HPV vaccine—if you’re under 45, it can protect against cervical and throat cancers.”
She adds that family history may shift those timelines. “If your mom had breast cancer at 35, you may need your first mammogram at 25. Know your history. Tell your provider.”
Having the Hard Conversations
Dr. Kre doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable topics. In fact, she leans into them. “We need to talk more openly about sexual health. So many women still feel ashamed to ask about STDs, PrEP, or birth control,” she says. “I always tell women—you’re not being ‘fast’ for asking about HIV prevention. You’re being smart.”
As Medical Director of the Living Well PrEP Clinic, she sees firsthand how preventive medicine is saving lives. “PrEP is a once-daily pill that helps prevent HIV. It doesn’t mean you’re loose or reckless. It means you’re protecting yourself. Period.”
The Power of Community and Self-Care
Dr. Kre is clear: community is key. Whether you’re facing a diagnosis or navigating burnout, you shouldn’t do it alone. “We all need a tribe—people who will get in the bed with you, turn on reality TV, pour a glass of wine, and just be there,” she says.
That same spirit guides her nonprofit, Three Twenty Girls, Inc., which supports young women of color in STEM and medicine. Named in honor of Cortland Arrington, a Birmingham teen who lost her life to gun violence before she could begin her nursing career, the foundation offers scholarships, mentorship, and hope. “We want girls to see us—Black women in white coats—and know that it’s possible.”
Dr. Kre’s message is simple, yet profound: “You are not alone. You don’t have to carry it all. And you don’t have to apologize for putting yourself first.”
Follow Dr. Kre:
Instagram: @doctorkre
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