CommonHealth

In this episode of CommonHealth, guest host Rae Carkhuff talks with three wonderful guests about the Check It Out program at Petersburg Public Libraries. Join Rae along with Robin Gahan from the American Heart Association, Tabitha Goode of Molina Healthcare of Virginia, and Tera James of Central Virginia Health Services, Inc., as they discuss heart health statistics in Petersburg, VA, dive into th...

Join host Tracy Douglas as she talks with Travis LeFever and Brad Watson of Mission Mobile Medical. This organization creates mobile healthcare units at a fraction of the typical cost. Listen as Travis and Brad discuss their "why" and their passion for providing healthcare to all communities, especially the ones who might not have access to the care they need. Learn with Tracy about the nurse in N...

On this episode of CommonHealth, Tracy along with her guests, Dr. Theresa Burriss (Emory & Henry College), Jane Sage, FNP, and Dr. Paige Billman (Tri-Area Community Health), shed light on the diverse and dynamic nature of Appalachia. Together, they dispute the monolithic stereotype of Appalachian culture and delve into the intricacies of Appalachian life and the triumphs and challenges of rural he...

On this enlightening episode of CommonHealth, host Tracy Douglas chats with VCHA's Nutritionist and Registered Dietician, Adrienne Harden. Adrienne shares her knowledge and hacks on how to have a balanced, nutritious diet, and myth-busts what we think we know about eating well. She also teaches listeners how to stop feeling guilt or shame after eating. Tune in to discover more about maintaining a...

In this episode of CommonHealth, Tracy talks with Melina Davis, CEO of the Medical Society of Virginia (MSV), about the SafeHaven Program, which supports the needs of clinicians struggling with stress, burnout, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Listen as Melina discusses why this program is necessary, and the wonders it's working for medical practitioners around the commonwealth. With spec...

In this episode of CommonHealth, Tracy talks with Dr. Mark Fleming, a board-certified medical oncologist, about the importance of getting screened and tested for prostate cancer. Dr. Fleming offers insight into his personal connection to the disease, emphasizing his mission to provide state-of-the-art care for the vulnerable communities served by community health centers. This enlightening dialogu...

In our latest episode, Tracy Douglas, VCHA's CEO, welcomes WAVY-TV (Channel 10) morning and midday news anchor, Katie Collett, who shares her journey from being a small-town girl with dreams of journalism to a prominent news reporter - an inspiring story about overcoming obstacles, connecting with and reporting on a diverse, rural community, and the power of resilience in the broadcasting industry...

On this episode of CommonHealth, Tracy Douglas sits down with her son, Alec, a student at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). Alec talks with Tracy about his decision to pursue a degree in medicine at a "non-traditional" age, the sacrifices a medical student has to make, and his passions in the field. Tracy and Alec also candidly chat about what new doctors look for in employe...

Climate change impacts our health in serious ways. On this episode of CommonHealth, Tracy interviews Ben Money, Senior Vice President of Population Health at the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), who begins an ongoing conversation about what impacts climate has on our health and what changes we can make to turn some damages around. Ben explains how some populations are more...

Birth is beautiful, but it also has a dark side. Both mothers and babies are at risk during the birth process, and for some races and ethnicities, those risks are higher than others. On this episode of CommonHealth, we introduce Dr. Michael Smith, an OB/GYN and director of the women's program at the Greater Prince William Community Health Center. Dr. Smith speaks to us about maternal and infant he...

Have you ever wondered what medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorder is? This week, guest host Kyle Elliott, VCHA's General Counsel & Chief Legal Officer, invites Whitney Chase Petrie, Substance Use Program Manager, and Dr. David Roberts, Chief Medical Officer of the Community Health Center of the New River Valley to discuss this important topic. Discover what substances are most c...

What's the difference between rural health and urban health? Join CommonHealth for a chat with Beth O'Connor, Executive Director of the Virginia Rural Health Association, to explore this question and the uniqueness of rural healthcare. Hear about the disparities and advantages of working in rural healthcare, from knowing generations of patients to a lower cost of living, and discover what misconce...

What should men in their 20s consider when it comes to their health? How about in their 30s? Their 40s and beyond? June is Men's Health Month and in this CommonHealth episode, Tracy speaks with Dr. Vladimir Markovic, Chief Medical Officer of the Hampton Roads Community Health Center, about crucial considerations for men's health and why Community Oriented Primary Care is important to our Commonwea...

Dr. Betty Bibbins serves as President of the Board of Directors for Eastern Shore Rural Health Systems, one of VCHA's member health centers. In this episode she shares her rich history, from growing up in Portsmouth, Virginia, her decades-long career in healthcare and the importance of not only being a part of a community, but also why community health centers matter. With special guest: Dr. Betty...

Listen and learn about our newest partnership with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), which aims to help open doors to individuals who want to invest in a career in public health. In this episode, Tracy talks with Dana Brown, from UNCF, about VCHA's Scholarship Program. With special guest: Dana Brown, Area Development Director, United Negro College Fund (UNCF) of Virginia

The federal 340B Drug Pricing Program allows qualifying providers - also known as covered entities - specialty clinics and their associated facilities to purchase outpatient drugs from manufacturers at at significantly reduced prices. In this episode, listen as Colleen Meiman, National Policy Advisor for 52 regional associations of community health centers, discusses how the 340B program is such a...

As the first black cancer director at Virginia Commonwealth University's Massey Cancer Center, Dr. Robert Winn has made it his mission, job and duty to be able to figure out how to make communities, like the one he grew up in and those throughout Virginia, healthier. In this episode, Dr. Winn discusses his rich history in healthcare and how he advocates for the continued success of Federally Quali...

As a father, pharmacist and experienced business owner, Otto Wachsmann fights for rural Virginia. Listen as he talks about how - by introducing and passing House Bill 1162 - he is helping VCHA's member health centers work to protect their ability to provide affordable medicine to their patients. With special guest: Otto Wachsmann, Virginia House of Delegates

VCHA's member health center, Community Health Center of the New River Valley, is expanding their partnership with the University of Virginia's Cancer Center to boost colorectal cancer screening rates. Listen as Dr. Meagan Arthur and Dr. Jamie Zoellner unpack the "why" when it comes to the importance of getting screened for colorectal cancer. With special guests: Dr. Meagan Arthur, Director of Nurs...

Medicaid beneficiaries depend heavily on safety-net providers for care, including Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). The end of Medicaid continuous enrollment could cause major disruptions in care, but states like Virginia can take steps to mitigate the impact. Listen as Sara Cariano, from the Virginia Poverty Law Center, discusses her thoughts and predictions about Medicaid unwinding, if...

With locations in small towns across southern Virginia, including Martinsville, Danville and South Boston, Piedmont Access to Health Services (PATHS) faces some of the same challenges as health centers in larger cities, including connecting underserved children, adolescents and their families to quality, affordable healthcare. Listen as Marsha Mendenhall, CEO of PATHS, discusses her health center'...

Water is the healthiest drink for children and adults, and it is also one of the simplest and least expensive ways to maintain and promote health. Drinking fluoridated tap water keeps our body functioning efficiently, leads us to consume fewer empty calories, prevents dental cavities and preserves the environment. Listen as Sarah Bedard Holland, Chief Executive Officer of Virginia Health Catalyst,...

For the residents of rural Brunswick County, VA, it's common for patients to not have a full understanding of their health situation. For some, this could be life-threatening, which is why the staff at Central Virginia Health Services (CVHS), a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), is partnering with Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and working to fill this health education gap. Listen a...

Health literacy is a common issue among community health centers (CHCs) across the country. A large portion of the people who utilize CHCs are poor and medically underserved. They need help understanding and navigating the ever-changing and complex healthcare system. Listen as Dr. John Whyte, Chief Medical Officer at WebMD, discusses how health care professionals can identify patients' specific he...

Tam Nguyen, a first-generation immigrant from Vietnam, grew up in rural Virginia. Listen as he discusses his struggles with finding quality dental care as a child, his decision to pursue a career in dentistry and how critical Virginia's Medicaid program is to the overall health and well-being to the population of the Commonwealth. With special guest: Tam Nguyen, VCU School of Dentistry