By: Tiffany Hercules
Dr. DeShawn Taylor stands as a beacon of hope, innovation, and advocacy for underserved communities in the heart of Phoenix. A visionary leader and dedicated physician, Dr. Taylor has transformed Desert Star Family Planning into the nonprofit Desert Star Institute for Family Planning, ensuring equitable access to health justice for all, especially Black and brown communities in Arizona.
From Childhood Aspirations to Leadership in Health Equity
Dr. Taylor began her journey with dreams of becoming a brain surgeon, but her medical school experience steered her toward a passion for advancing women’s health. After completing a rigorous fellowship at USC Medical School, she emerged as a certified OB-GYN committed to making equitable and quality health care accessible for all.
Dr. Taylor founded Desert Star Family Planning as a private clinic in 2013. While operating the clinic, she observed significant gaps in care that underserved communities faced medically and socioeconomically. She recognized the need for a charitable approach and established the nonprofit Desert Star Institute for Family Planning. In 2023, she transitioned Desert Star Family Planning into the nonprofit Desert Star Institute for Family Planning, signaling a transformative move toward integrated advocacy and comprehensive care.
“I noticed gaps in care while running my private clinic,” Dr. Taylor explained. “These gaps underscored the need for a charitable model to serve the underserved.”
Bridging Medicine and Advocacy
Photo Courtesy: Sigrid Nygaard
Under Dr. Taylor’s leadership, Desert Star Institute for Family Planning has become a trusted resource. It offers services like wellness counseling, annual exams, and more in English and Spanish. The organization also navigates the complexities of healthcare advocacy, addressing barriers imposed by shifting political landscapes.
“Physicians must play a critical role in informing policy,” Dr. Taylor emphasized. Her dual focus on clinical care and legislative advocacy has positioned Desert Star Institute for Family Planning as a leader in health equity.
The nonprofit’s innovative approach includes coalition-building with social organizations and movements, ensuring an intersectional and united front in the fight for healthcare equity.
“We’re all in this together,” she said, highlighting the collective resilience required to combat systemic challenges.
Preparing for a Shifting Landscape
Photo Courtesy: Roshan Spottsville
Desert Star Institute for Family Planning is proactively adapting as political uncertainties loom. The organization is part of the Arizona Medical Association’s Center of Excellence for Social Determinants of Health, equipping staff to address patients’ broader social needs. Plans are underway to integrate community health workers into the model, providing personalized support and bridging gaps in care with “warm handoffs,” a compassionate approach to connecting patients with essential resources.
“Basic needs are foundational to health and wellness,” Dr. Taylor explained. “When these aren’t met, patients cannot fully engage in their care. We aim to meet them where they are and guide them forward.”
A Vision for Growth and Legacy
Dr. Taylor envisions Desert Star Institute for Family Planning evolving into a full-fledged community resource center, providing a physical space for coalition-building, training entrepreneurs of color, and hosting dignitaries and discussions on health equity. This vision reflects the community’s trust in the organization as a cornerstone of advocacy and education.
“The community tells us how they want us to show up,” Dr. Taylor noted. “Our growth will always center on grassroots needs, ensuring that our work improves conditions for the most vulnerable among us and, by extension, the entire state.”
An Invitation to Support the Mission
Photo Courtesy: Dr. DeShawn Taylor
As Desert Star celebrates over a decade of service, Dr. Taylor invites the community to join the journey. “This longevity as a Black woman-founded organization is something we can all be proud of,” she said. Donations, volunteer support, and sharing the organization’s mission are all ways to contribute.
For more information or to support their work, visit DesertStarFP.org, or follow the organization on Instagram and Facebook.
Dr. Taylor’s leadership exemplifies resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to justice. As Arizona navigates a turbulent political era, Desert Star Institute for Family Planning stands firm, championing equity and driving meaningful change — through every patient served, every policy shaped, and every community empowered.
Published by Iris S.
