25 JUN. 2024 · In part two of our hypertension discussion with the American Heart Association (AHA), Tim Nikolai, Senior Rural Health Director of the Midwest Region, joins us to discuss challenges that rural communities face with regards to hypertension control and chronic disease management. Tim also speaks about resources available for rural communities and how they can connect with the AHA.

25 JUN. 2024 · In this episode, we are joined by American Heart Association’s Lyzeth Mondragon, who is Vice President of Community Impact and works in the Chicago region. Lyzeth discusses various initiatives and resources available to health centers looking to improve hypertension rates in vulnerable communities, and addresses some of the barriers patients face in managing chronic conditions.

20 JUN. 2024 · Happy Pride Month! It's part 2 of our Pride series, and David Sgarbossa and Maria De los Santos from Esperanza Health Centers are back to chat about HIV prevention services and their center's injectable PrEP workflow. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medicine that can prevent HIV infection in people who may be exposed to it through sex or injection drug use. Hear about the seamless coordination between different members of the healthcare team, ensuring a smooth PrEP administration process. Then we wrap up with real-life success stories showcasing the positive impact of a well-executed PrEP medication distribution process. Whether you're a healthcare professional or simply curious, this episode is packed with valuable information and inspirational patient stories. Resources HIV Prevention & Treatment: https://www.esperanzachicago.org/page/hiv-prevention-treatment

18 JUN. 2024 · We spoke with Tyra Jones from the SIU School of Medicine about the importance of community health workers (CHWs). Tyra shares uplifting, poignant, and sometimes funny stories about working with patients and educating with empathy. Then we get into the ways health centers can improve CHW training programs, and how CHWs provide one-on-one help for patients who get a new diagnosis and have a lot of questions. We end with a detour into wellness, personality tests, and even how tv show’s like “Friends” all tie into winning strategies to improve community health care. 1:00-24:59 - Stories from the field 25:00-31:00 - "Friends" and personality tests 31:30-37:00 - Strategies to improve community health training Resources CHW Training Program - https://www.siumed.edu/cpd/community-health-worker-echo Office of Community Care - https://www.siumed.edu/communitycare

12 JUN. 2024 · We explore pharmacy expansion and equitable health services access with our guests, Tina Plett-Kalainoff and Sarah Brondyke from Community Health Care, Inc. Discover how their collaborative efforts streamline pharmaceutical needs within healthcare systems to improve patient outcomes. We also chat about the vital role of vaccine and medication inventory management, and discuss strategies that enhance operations. Our conversation also touches on stories from the field and how current community health center expansion is combating pharmacy deserts to ensure equitable healthcare access for all.

6 JUN. 2024 · Happy Pride Month! In this three part special, we’re joined by David Sgarbossa and Maria De los Santos from Esperanza Health Centers to discuss their outreach efforts with the LGBTQ+ community. We interview David and Maria about the unique needs of LGBTQ+ individuals and how these are met through inclusive and affirming services. Discover how Esperanza collaborates with local LGBTQ+ organizations to address specific health concerns. David and Maria share inspirational stories from working with the community, outreach during Chicago's June Pride festivals, and year round healthcare services. They also give advice on how organizations and individuals can improve support for the LGBTQ+ community and stories about real-world successes.     Resources Mentioned Community Health Advocate Team at https://tel HIV Prevention & Treatment: https://www.esperanzachicago.org/page/hiv-prevention-treatment

30 MAY. 2024 · Ann Gillespie, the Acting Director of the Illinois Department of Insurance, and Ollie Idowu, CEO of IPHCA discuss the important world of mental health parity laws, which require that coverage for mental health conditions be no more restrictive than coverage for physical health conditions. Director Ann Gillespie, recently appointed by Governor JB Pritzker, is a former Illinois State Senator, bringing her extensive experience in managed health care and insurance reforms to the table. We discover how the Department’s latest mental health parity campaign for May’s Mental Health Awareness Month, featuring a new animated character, Yarney, is designed to help consumers understand their rights. Then we get into Illinois’ ban on “junk insurance” policies and the ban on prior authorization for mental health care services. You’ll also discover new resources available to consumers, and how mental health parity laws help fix the broken mental health system, and the impact of social factors like poverty, education, and culture on mental health care. We end with inspirational stories about Director Gillespie’s efforts and initiatives that bring hope for better mental health insurance coverage. Resources Mentioned Mental Health Parity Campaign with Yarney: https://getcovered.illinois.gov/resources/mental-health-parity-videos.html Mental Health Parity: https://getcovered.illinois.gov/resources/mental-health-parity.html

29 MAY. 2024 · In part 2 of our “Mental Health Parity” series, we sit down with inspiring health care advocates Jen McGowan from NAMI Chicago and Cheri Hoots from IPHCA. They explore the importance of mental health parity in Illinois, ensuring vulnerable populations have access to mental health care. Jen and Cheri share stories about how their organizations improve mental health services, discuss the impact of social factors like poverty and education, and highlight hopeful initiatives for the future of mental health insurance coverage. Tune in for a conversation filled with hope, inspiration, and practical insights for improving mental health care in Illinois.

28 MAY. 2024 · In part 1 of our “Mental Health Parity” series, we spoke with Lisa M. Gomez, the Assistant Secretary of the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), appointed by President Joe Biden, to discuss mental health parity, which is the equal treatment of mental health conditions and substance use disorders in insurance plans. Lisa champions mental health parity in the United States. She shares her passion for mental health advocacy and dives into how EBSA is working to improve access to mental health parity for over 130 million Americans. Lisa also discusses the critical role of social factors like education, poverty, and culture in shaping access to mental health care services. Later in the episode, we chat about the projects that give Lisa hope, including the landmark Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) and EBSA's ongoing campaigns to educate the public about their insurance rights. Whether you're a mental health advocate or someone seeking to understand more about access to mental health care in the U.S., this episode offers valuable insights. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from a leading voice in the fight for mental health parity. This is part 1 of a 3 part mini-series focused on improving access to mental health care services in the U.S. Resources Mentioned: Call 866-444-3272 to contact EBSA for help with your mental health insurance coverage benefits.

23 MAY. 2024 · Can only one minute of mindfulness transform your whole day? Today, Raj Savalia sat down with providers from Tapestry 360 Health center in Chicago to discuss the importance of mindfulness and mental health care. Discover how the health center uses mindfulness, shares resources, and educates teams to improve community health. We also dive into integrative medicine, holistic care, inspirational stories, and practical tips for integrating mindfulness into daily life. The episode winds down with a short, guided meditation that’s shows how simple it is to integrate mindfulness practices into your everyday routine. Resources: 5 Minute Guided Mindfulness Meditation - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXNECaIJPDI