Health Equity & Diverse Workforce: Dr. Nicole Del Castillo's Vision

 In this episode, host Elizabeth Dix interviews Dr. Lucas Carr about his work with the Community Health Collaborative and the Vitalis study, as well as the importance of addressing physical inactivity in primary care settings. They also discuss the role of equity in their mission and ways for students and community members to get involved. 

Show notes:
0:00 Introduction
1:12 Dr. Lucas Carr's background and work with the Community Health Collaborative
4:35 The importance of addressing physical inactivity in primary care settings
7:10 Collecting and analyzing data on physical activity to address health inequities
11:12 The Vitalis study and its focus on young adult cancer survivors
15:30 Expanding the Vitalis program and focusing on health equity
20:53 Changes in the community in the last five years and opportunities for involvement
23:48 How to support the Community Health Collaborative and access their services
25:40 Conclusion and podcast outro

About the host: Elizabeth Dix is a student at the University of Iowa, studying health promotion and marketing. Elizabeth is part of a team supporting the My City My Health Conference in Iowa City. The conference aims to bring together the University of Iowa and the Iowa City corridor community to discuss health equity programs and collaborations. Interested individuals can register for the conference through www.mycity.health.

"When these communities allow you in their spaces, please be humble and allow the trust to build so that you can get the work done. If you don't have the trust, then there's no basis to build up on, no foundation at all." - Aloha Wilks

In this episode, host Olivia Machaccio talks with Aloha Wilks, a passionate advocate for health equity and community engagement. They discuss the challenges of achieving health equity in Iowa City, the importance of community involvement, and the role of trust in addressing health disparities. Tune in to learn about the critical work being done to ensure healthcare access for all and the steps being taken to close the gap in health equity.

About the Guest:

Aloha Wilks is an advocate for health equity and community engagement. She is dedicated to empowering vulnerable communities, improving healthcare access, and building trust with community members. Aloha is passionate about her work in health equity and encourages others to be intentional, fearless, and humble in their approach to this important issue.

In this episode of My City My Health Podcast, you will learn:

1. The challenges of achieving health equity in Iowa City and the role of community engagement in addressing these issues.
2. The importance of building trust and forming strong relationships with community members to better understand their needs and advocate for them.
3. The barriers to health equity, such as communication, cultural differences, and access to healthcare resources.
4. The consequences of not involving community members in the decision-making process and how proper representation can improve health outcomes.
5. UIHC's efforts to increase healthcare access in Southeast Iowa City and how it can impact the entire community.
6. The importance of being intentional, fearless, and humble when working in the field of health equity, and the value of staying connected to community members and their needs.

 Show Notes:

[00:00] - Introduction to the My City My Health Podcast
[11:31] - Health equity and transforming the healthcare system
[12:26] - Disproportionate resources in healthcare
[13:56] - Barriers to health equity in the Iowa City community
[15:20] - Importance of community involvement to overcome barriers
[17:15] - Consequences of not involving community members
[18:42] - Advocating for vulnerable communities
[19:14] - UIHC's efforts to increase healthcare access in Southeast Iowa City
[21:10] - Takeaway message from Aloha Wilks

About the host: Olivia Machaccio, is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Iowa studying Health and Human Phys with a minor in social justice. Olivia hopes to be a doctor helping those in the community. Olivia is part of a team supporting the My City My Health Conference in Iowa City. The conference aims to bring together the University of Iowa and the Iowa City corridor community to discuss health equity programs and collaborations. Interested individuals can register for the conference through www.mycity.health.

"I think probably to really think deeply about the amount of othering that we all do every day in our lives and how to start reversing that, how to understand where it comes from, and how we start to keep ourselves to account in that process because we really need to change the way that we interact with people if we are going to ever get to health equity." - Dr. Rima Afifi

In this episode of My City My Health Podcast, host Ellery Winterbottom is joined by Dr. Rima Afifi, a public health expert, and professor, to discuss mental health in immigrant and refugee communities. They delve into the challenges faced by these communities, the importance of understanding and addressing mental health, and the innovative program called Problem Management Plus in Iowa. Join us to learn about the complexities of mental health and how we can all contribute to creating a more equitable society.

About the guest:
Dr. Rima Afifi is a professor in the Department of Community and Behavioral Health at the University of Iowa's College of Public Health. She is an expert in public health, mental health, and the challenges faced by immigrant and refugee communities. Dr. Afifi has worked extensively in developing and implementing innovative programs to support mental health in these communities, such as Problem Management Plus. Her work aims to promote health equity and empower communities through a strengths-based approach.

In this episode of My City My Health Podcast, you will learn:

1. The challenges faced by immigrant and refugee communities, especially concerning mental health and intergenerational tension.
2. The concept of the mental health pyramid and its relevance to these communities.
3. The innovative program called Problem Management Plus and its role in addressing mental health issues in immigrant and refugee communities in Iowa.
4. The importance of peer-to-peer support, cultural sensitivity, and focusing on the strengths of these communities.
5. How to get involved and connect with Dr. Rima Afifi's work.
6. The significance of reflecting on the concept of "othering" and working towards health equity in our daily lives.

Show notes:

00:00 - Introduction
01:10 - About Dr. Rima Afifi
02:40 - The mental health pyramid and its relevance to immigrant communities
05:15 - Intergenerational movement and tension in preserving cultural identity
07:55 - How Problem Management Plus addresses mental health in immigrant communities
12:45 - Peer-to-peer support and cultural sensitivity in the program
17:20 - Scaling up the program across Iowa and its significance
20:40 - How to get involved and connect with Dr. Afifi's work
24:00 - Final thoughts: Reflecting on othering and working towards health equity

About the host: Ellery Winterbottom is a junior at the University of Iowa studying human physiology with a minor in lifestyle medicine on the pre-PA track. Ellery is part of a team supporting the My City My Health Conference in Iowa City. The conference aims to bring together the University of Iowa and the Iowa City corridor community to discuss health equity programs and collaborations. Interested individuals can register for the conference through www.mycity.health.

"I would like to see more effort being put into job creation for retaining local talent. Iowa is great at attracting the best from all over the world, but I cannot see the same for retaining them." - Onyeche Oche

Join host Caleb as he talks with Onyeche Oche, a healthcare researcher and advocate, about her work in telemedicine, cultural competency in healthcare, and her vision for job retention in the Iowa City area. They discuss the challenges and benefits of telemedicine, especially for older adults, and how to make healthcare more inclusive and accessible for all.

About the Guest: Onyeche Oche is a healthcare researcher and advocate with a focus on telemedicine and cultural competency. She is passionate about giving older adults a voice in healthcare research and creating sustainable solutions for diverse communities. Onyeche is committed to making Iowa City a more inclusive and accessible place for all.

You will learn about:

1. The importance of cultural competency in healthcare and how it impacts patient outcomes.
2. Onyeche's work and research in telemedicine, especially for older adults, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. The perspectives of different stakeholders, including older adults, physicians, caregivers, and medical assistants, on the barriers and facilitators of telemedicine.
4. The potential future of telemedicine and its role in different scenarios, individual preferences, and accessibility.
5. Onyeche's vision for job creation and retaining local talent in Iowa City, addressing the challenges of attracting and keeping skilled individuals in the area.
6. The significance of community-based participatory research in multicultural cities like Iowa and the need for collaborative solutions to address diverse communities' healthcare issues.

Show Notes:

00:00 - Introduction to My City My Health Podcast and guest Onyeche Oche
02:14 - Onyeche's background and current work in healthcare research
04:25 - The importance of cultural competency in healthcare
10:12 - The role of telemedicine during the Pandemic
15:25 - The potential future of telemedicine in healthcare
21:57 - Giving older adults a Voice in healthcare research
25:16 - The role of telemedicine in different scenarios and individual preferences
28:35 - Onyeche's hopes for job creation and retaining local talent in Iowa City
31:23 - The importance of community-based participatory research in a multicultural city like Iowa

About the host: Caleb is a student at the University of Iowa. Caleb is part of a team supporting the My City My Health Conference in Iowa City. The conference aims to bring together the University of Iowa and the Iowa City corridor community to discuss health equity programs and collaborations. Interested individuals can register for the conference through www.mycity.health.

In this episode of the My City My Health Podcast, host Brooklyn talks with Dr. Marta Van Beek, a dermatologist and executive medical director at the University of Iowa. They discuss the importance of health equity and the work being done to improve it in dermatology and medicine overall. Dr. Van Beek also shares her experience in addressing health disparities and the impact of community involvement in achieving health equity goals.

Show Notes:

• [00:00] Introduction to the My City My Health Podcast and guest Dr. Marta Van Beek
• [01:29] Dr. Van Beek's definition of health equity and the importance of addressing historical injustices
• [04:24] Dr. Van Beek's involvement in national and local initiatives to improve health equity
• [05:49] The work being done at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics to provide culturally sensitive hair care products for black patients
• [08:33] Dr. Van Beek's drive to obtain a master's in public health and the importance of frequent skin cancer screenings
• [10:57] Improvements in health equity in medicine overall and the need to regain trust from marginalized populations
• [13:20] Dr. Van Beek's upcoming panel at the My City My Health Conference on providing culturally sensitive haircare products for inpatients
• [15:14] The Role of community involvement in addressing health disparities

About the host: Brooklyn is a health studies major at the University of Iowa. Brooklyn is part of a team supporting the My City My Health Conference in Iowa City. The conference aims to bring together the University of Iowa and the Iowa City corridor community to discuss health equity programs and collaborations. Interested individuals can register for the conference through www.mycity.health.

In this episode of the My City My Health podcast, host Natalie Rutledge talks with LaTasha DeLoach about her work in community outreach and connecting people, particularly women of color and older adults, with resources and social spaces for health equity. LaTasha shares her insights on the importance of taking the pressure off of black women, erasing the super-strong black woman trope, and creating safe social spaces for people of color. Tune in to learn more about actionable steps toward health equity and how to connect with LaTasha and her work.

Time-stamped Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction
01:20 LaTasha’s background and work in community outreach
03:45 Sankofa Outreach Connections and creating social spaces for women of color
06:30 The importance of taking the pressure off of black women and erasing the super-strong black woman trope
10:20 Connecting older adults with Resources and social spaces for health equity
14:50 The impact of connecting people and resources in the community
18:00 Actionable steps towards health equity: listening to people and donating resources
20:30 Creating safe social spaces for People of Color and the Importance of health equity
24:00 Looking forward to the My City My Health Conference in Iowa City
25:06 How to connect with LaTasha and her work
26:28 Conclusion

About the host: Natalie Rutledge is a student at the University of Iowa, studying health and human physiology. Natalie is part of a team supporting the My City My Health Conference in Iowa City. The conference aims to bring together the University of Iowa and the Iowa City corridor community to discuss health equity programs and collaborations. Interested individuals can register for the conference through www.mycity.health.

Join host Lauren Whiteman as she discusses achieving health equity through community empowerment with Dr. Ebonee Johnson, an expert in health equity research and the project director of PEER, a community-based organization focused on HIV and substance abuse prevention. In this episode, Dr. Johnson shares her insights on the importance of community engagement in healthcare, the challenges of health literacy, and the power of shifting power dynamics to empower communities.

00:00 - Introduction
01:18 - Dr. Johnson's background and research focus
03:35 - The importance of community engagement in healthcare
07:11 - Addressing health literacy challenges in healthcare
10:10 - Shifting power dynamics to empower communities
13:15 - The origin story and work of PEER
18:19 - Innovative outreach strategies during COVID-19
21:41 - The biggest takeaway: achieving health equity through community empowerment
23:06 - Conclusion and wrap-up.

About the host: Lauren Whiteman is a student at the University of Iowa, getting her bachelor's in health promotion. Lauren is part of a team supporting the My City My Health Conference in Iowa City. The conference aims to bring together the University of Iowa and the Iowa City corridor community to discuss health equity programs and collaborations. Interested individuals can register for the conference through www.mycity.health

In this episode of the My City, My Health podcast, host Sophie Woodley, discusses health equity and community well-being with Cady Gerlach, executive director of Better Together 2030. They delve into the social determinants of health, such as housing, access to healthy food, and education, and how these factors impact access to healthcare. They also discuss the importance of including diverse voices in community conversations and ways for individuals to get involved in collaborative efforts to promote community well-being.

Key takeaways:
Social determinants of health such as housing, access to healthy food, and education have a significant impact on healthcare outcomes.

• Holistic approaches to community well-being that address these social determinants can improve access to healthcare and promote health equity.
• Mental health, especially for young people, is a critical area for conversation and action in promoting health equity.
• Community conversations should center around equity and include diverse voices to ensure that everyone's needs are being met.
• Anyone can get involved in community collaborative efforts to promote community well-being and make a difference.

About the host: Sophie Woodley is a student at the University of Iowa, getting her bachelor's in health studies and a minor in Lifestyle Medicine. Sophie is part of a team supporting the My City My Health Conference in Iowa City. The conference aims to bring together the University of Iowa and the Iowa City corridor community to discuss health equity programs and collaborations. Interested individuals can register for the conference through www.mycity.health

In this episode, host Norielle Blanco speaks with Krisha Karen, a junior at the University of Iowa majoring in psychology and minoring in gender, health, and healthcare equity on the pre-med track. Krisha is also the founder of Club Kids for a Cause, an organization that raises funds for cancer patients through tennis tournaments. In this conversation, Norielle and Krisha discuss the importance of mental health and health equity, particularly in Asian American communities, and the initiatives Krisha is involved in to promote these issues.

Key Takeaways:

• Krisha defines health equity as everyone having a fair and equal opportunity to be their healthiest version without facing substantial barriers to healthcare.
• Her interest in health equity and mental health advocacy was sparked by her personal experiences with the stigmatization of mental health in Indian culture.
• Krisha discusses the importance of starting conversations about mental health at a young age to break the stigma and encourage openness about mental health.
• She highlights her role models as her parents who immigrated from India and established successful careers in a new country, inspiring Krisha to pursue her own passions and career goals.
• Krisha also shares details about Club Kids for a Cause, an organization she founded that raises funds for cancer patients through tennis tournaments.
• The episode concludes with Norielle highlighting the upcoming My City, My Health conference, and Krisha's involvement in organizing the Community Health and Outreach Expo.

Conclusion:
This episode sheds light on the importance of mental health and health equity, and the initiatives being taken to promote these issues, particularly in Asian American communities. Krisha Karen's story is inspiring, and her work with Club Kids for a Cause is a testament to her dedication to making a positive impact in her community.

About the host: Norielle Blanco is a student at the University of Iowa, studying both health promotion and nursing. Norielle is part of a team supporting the My City My Health Conference in Iowa City. The conference aims to bring together the University of Iowa and the Iowa City corridor community to discuss health equity programs and collaborations. Interested individuals can register for the conference through www.mycity.health

In this episode of the My City My Health Podcast, host Maddie Kerr talks with Kellee Forkenbrock, Public Services Librarian at the North Liberty Community Library, about the Lighthouse in the Library series and the importance of digital access in the community. Kellee discusses how the Libraries Transforming Communities grant has allowed them to create a platform for community conversations and collaborations with other local organizations. She emphasizes the role of libraries in providing access to information and wellness resources, particularly in addressing the digital divide that exists in many communities.

About Kellee:
Kellee Forkenbrock is a passionate librarian who serves as the Public Services Librarian at the North Liberty Community Library. Kellee is a strong advocate for providing access to information and resources to all members of the community, with a particular focus on bridging the digital divide and promoting social justice. She is dedicated to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment at the library, where people of all backgrounds and identities feel valued and supported. Kellee is a true asset to the North Liberty community, and her work with the Lighthouse in the Library series is a testament to her commitment to creating positive change through education and community building.

Shownotes:
00:00 - Introduction
01:10 - Kellee Forkenbrock's background and role at the North Liberty Community Library
02:35 - Overview of the Lighthouse in the Library series and its impact on the community
04:10 - How the Libraries Transforming Communities grant has supported the series
05:40 - Examples of collaborations with other local organizations, including Better Way Forward and the North Liberty Community Food Pantry
07:25 - The upcoming collaboration with the African American Museum of Iowa
08:20 - The importance of dialogue and connection in promoting wellness and addressing community issues
09:35 - The role of libraries in providing access to information and wellness resources
11:15 - The digital divide and its impact on communities
12:25 - The North Liberty Community Library's efforts to provide digital access, including free wifi and iPads for use in-house
13:40 - Future goals for the Lighthouse in the Library series, including more collaborations with local organizations
14:50 - Kellee's excitement for attending the My City My Health conference and connecting with others in the healthcare industry
16:00 - The biggest takeaway from the conversation: support your local public library and the freedom to read
17:10 - Conclusion

About the host: Maddie Kerr is a Health and Human Physiology major, with a Health Promotion track and a minor in Communication Studies, graduating in 2023. Maddie is part of a team supporting the My City My Health Conference in Iowa City. The conference aims to bring together the University of Iowa and the Iowa City corridor community to discuss health equity programs and collaborations. Interested individuals can register for the conference through www.mycity.health