Changemakers Episodes

Overview: We dive into the journey of Jomo, whose three decades in healthcare have been dedicated to improving access, with a special focus on LA County’s transformative eConsult system. We explore how this tool slashes specialist wait times from months to days for underserved populations, discuss the concept of “return on value” as a fuller measure of healthcare innovation, and reflect on the tension between profit, impact, and equity. Our conversation highlights the ways technology can lift t...

Overview: We dive into the inspiring stories of Dr. Fernandez and Dr. Gigi Magan family medicine physicians and co-founders of Alma First. We explore the challenges they observed during the pandemic with digital health disparities in underserved communities and how those moments sparked their mission to promote digital health equity. Together, we discuss the importance of digital health navigators, training pre-health students through equity-centered curricula, and practical ways they introduce ...

Overview: We explore the complexities of trust, cultural values, and intergenerational dynamics within the Filipino community, especially in accessing mental health and healthcare services. We discuss how deep-rooted traditions like family obligation, community support, and the stigma surrounding mental health influence care-seeking behaviors across generations. Through community-driven initiatives like Little Manila Rising, we highlight how culturally rooted, trauma-informed approaches—such as ...

Overview: We explore the powerful story of Little Manila Rising, an organization founded to preserve the Filipino American legacy in Stockton, California, and uplift the South Stockton community. We hear how founders rallied local residents to prevent the destruction of historic neighborhoods and created a movement rooted in ancestral legacy, heart-centered activism, and holistic care. We learn about programs tackling health inequities, environmental justice, mental health, and youth development...

We sit down with Julia Colson, the founder and executive director of the Seattle King County Clinic, to discuss the incredible journey of establishing a large-scale, volunteer-driven pop-up clinic providing free dental, vision, and medical services to thousands each year. She shares the clinic's origin story, spurred by a 60-minute episode that highlighted the healthcare struggles of everyday people and her realization of the parallels within her own life. Julia delves into the challenges of bui...

We delve into the critical topic of fax machines and their surprising impact on health equity with Bevey Miner, a seasoned expert in healthcare technology. Drawing from over two decades of experience, Bevey illuminates the complexities of healthcare data sharing and the disparities marginalized communities face due to outdated technologies like fax machines. We explore the challenges of interoperability, the necessity of structured data for meaningful analytics, and the importance of tech equity...

We welcome back Dr. Avantika Waring from 9 AM Health to discuss her vision for cardiometabolic care, emphasizing equity in treating diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension through innovative virtual models. Dr. Waring highlights the importance of a diverse workforce in delivering culturally relevant care and addressing structural inequities. We delve into the challenges of making medications like semaglutide accessible to all, the complex interplay of diet, environment, and genetics,...

We welcome Sven Gerlinger to discuss the importance of health equity in patient experience at Northwell Health. We explore how equitable care is deeply personal and why it's essential to segment data to ensure all voices, especially those from smaller communities, are heard. We delve into the need for diverse methods of gathering patient feedback, emphasizing the value of in-depth research and home visits. The conversation also touches on implicit biases within healthcare interactions and the si...

We dive into the significance of health equity and systemic ageism in healthcare with Dr. Maria Carney from Northwell Health, a leading geriatrician and palliative medicine physician. Dr. Carney shares her expertise on the challenges and solutions in caring for our aging population, highlighting the importance of social health and addressing multigenerational caregiving dynamics. We also discuss the groundbreaking changes needed in healthcare systems to better serve older adults, emphasizing the...

Summary: We discuss the importance of understanding the diverse demographic makeup of patients and tailoring healthcare metrics like A1c and blood pressure to community needs. We explore the challenges of engaging immigrant communities, emphasizing trust and cultural inclusivity. We'll hear about successful community-driven initiatives, the shift from volume-based to value-based care, and the pitfalls of targeting system-level metrics over patient well-being. Hiroshi shares his personal journey ...

Summary: We explore the heart-wrenching yet inspiring journeys of Tom, Arnold, Cathy, and Brainze as they navigate the challenges of being LGBTQIA+ individuals in Africa. Despite facing severe rejection, discrimination, and legal persecution, they find hope and empowerment through Safe Place International's Dream Academy. Raj Sundar leads a conversation on the importance of leadership development, mental well-being, and community support in transforming lives. By sharing their personal stories, ...

Summary: We dive deep into the nuanced world of healthcare interpretation and cultural competency with Michael Byun, exploring the critical role language and cultural understanding play in delivering care to diverse communities. Michael reflects on his experience at ACRS and their 50 years of service, addressing the challenges faced by Asian American Pacific Islander communities, from misconceptions in traditional healing practices to the stigmatization of mental health. We examine the importanc...

Summary: On this episode, we interview Theresa Fujiwara, co-founder of the Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS). We discuss the grassroots origins of ACRS and its pivotal role in providing culturally responsive mental health care to the Asian Pacific Islander community, filling a void left by national institutions. We then talk about the organization's approach, which blends Eastern and Western medicine, and the significance of community engagement in healing from trauma. The episode als...

In this episode of Healthcare for Humans, host Raj Sundar interviews Shankar Rai, a pioneering plastic surgeon from Nepal. Shankar shares his incredible journey, from being the sole healthcare provider in a remote area without access to surgical facilities, to becoming the creator of Nepal's first medical residency program for plastic reconstructive surgery. He discusses the importance of long-term support and training for surgeons in their own countries, highlighting the significant impact and ...