Health Talks

In this episode of Health Talks, we explore the complexities of providing high-quality, compassionate care for pregnant patients with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Featuring Dr. Alexis Braverman, a board-certified OBGYN at UI Health, the conversation dives into the practical application of the "5 Ps" screening tool and the clinical necessity of moving beyond traditional silos toward a fully integrate...

On this episode of Health Talks, IPHCA's Behavioral Health/SUD Consultant, Stacy Agosto is joined by Dr. Kathleen McDonough and Dr. Mary Buswell from PCC Community Wellness Center who are both board certified in Family and Addiction Medicine. They share a wealth of knowledge on substance use disorders, including treatment and training. Dr. McDonough and Dr. Buswell’s on demand training “Prescribin...

On this episode of Health Talks, IPHCA's Associate Vice President of Healthcare Access + Emergency Preparedness, Paula Campbell is joined by Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director at Illinois Department of Public Health, and Melissa Graven, The Immunize Illinois Coalition Manager at Illinois Public Health Association. They will examine the current state of immunizations in Illinois within the context of shift...

On this episode of Health Talks, IPHCA's Behavioral Health/SUD Consultant, Stacy Agosto is joined by Maria Rahmandar, MD, Attending Physician Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. Stacy and Maria discuss the strategies for working with Adolescents with SUD. Maria Rahmandar will be presenting "Pills, Powders and Other Problems: Addressing Substance Use in Adol...

Today’s episode is part two of our two-part black history month special. We’re listening in on a conversation between Ollie Idowu, CEO of IPHCA, Reverand Pastor Brooks, CEO of Lawndale Christian Health Center, and Ken Burnett, CEO of Christian Community Health Center. In part one of our Black History Month series we heard them share their journeys, their challenges, and what gives them hope for th...

Today’s episode is part one of a two-part black history month special. We have Ollie Idowu, the CEO of IPHCA, Reverand Pastor Brooks, CEO of Lawndale Christian Health Center, and Ken Burnett, CEO of Christian Community Health Center. And they’ll be sharing their journeys as black leaders – both the challenges they face, and what gives them hope for the future of health care.

In the Season 4 finale hosts Raj and Alex lace up for a conversation about the power of movement—mind, body, and playlist. We get into how running or even just walking more can be a powerful tool for both mental and physical wellness. From pandemic-era habits and sunset jogs to run clubs, 10Ks, and impromptu stair workouts at breweries, Raj and Alex explore how movement fits into their lives and h...

What does it really mean to hold space for yourself? Hosts Raj Savalia and Alexandra Kozar unpack the idea of self-compassion and the importance of making time to check in with your needs, especially in a world that rarely slows down. It’s not just about rest and routines. It’s about recognizing when you're being pulled in every direction and choosing, instead, to rise above the noise and tune in...

Food is more than fuel—it’s medicine. In this episode of Health Talks, we sit down with Janna Simon, Chief Program and Policy Officer at the Illinois Public Health Institute, to explore how food and nutrition programs are transforming healthcare across the state. From produce prescriptions to innovative community partnerships, Janna shares how IPHI’s Food is Medicine initiatives are improving heal...

In this episode of Health Talks, we’re joined by Donisha Reed from TCA Health Inc. in Chicago to learn how her team is turning food into a powerful tool for healing. Donisha shares how TCA Health’s Food is Medicine program started, what it looks like today, and how it’s helping patients eat well, live well, and feel seen. We also chat about other nutrition and healthy eating initiatives at the cen...

In this episode of Health Talks, we’re joined by Dr. Ben Preyss, Family Physician and Program Director, Dr. Elizabeth Redican, and resident Edward Akinyemi from Lawndale Christian Health Center. Together, they walk us through the journey of launching a new family medicine residency program while sharing firsthand what it takes to go from vision to recruitment.  Listeners will hear about the essent...

In this episode of Health Talks, we spotlight a groundbreaking initiative from PrimeCare Health Center—one of the first community health centers in the country to launch an Administrative Fellowship program. Our guests include CEO Lynn Hopkins, along with Elizabeth Brewington and Kelsey Kesler, who share how this 12-month fellowship gives recent master’s graduates an immersive leadership experienc...

It’s never too early to start an honest conversation with teens about substance use. In this episode of Health Talks, we sit down with Dr. Maria Rahmandar, an attending physician in Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at Lurie Children's Hospital and the founding medical director of their Substance Use and Prevention Program. Dr. Rahmandar shares her personal and professional journey into adolesce...

In this episode of Health Talks, we chat with Gorana Micevic, a Physician Assistant at Access Community Health Network in Chciago. Gorana shares her journey from training at SIU School of Medicine to serving both rural and urban communities through family and addiction medicine. She discusses leading a nationally recognized COVID-19 testing program in rural Illinois, completing Rush University’s a...

In this podcast episode, we’re joined by Stacy Agosto, a Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorders Consultant at IPHCA. Stacy shares her insights on how involving loved ones in addiction treatment can improve outcomes, reduce stigma, and strengthen long-term recovery. She also offers practical tips and real-world resources that healthcare providers can share with patients and their families, a...

In this episode of Health Talks, we sat down with Dr. Ruchi Fitzgerald from PCC Wellness Health Center to explore the topic of treatments for substance use disorder. Specically, long-acting injectables (LAIs) and other treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD). Dr. Fitzgerald shares her clinical journey into this field, the barriers patients face in staying on treatment, and how new treatments may...

In this episode of Health Talks , we’re joined by Dr. Sue Etminan, Dental Director at Mile Square Health Center–South Shore, for a timely conversation on the connection between oral health and hypertension. Dr. Etminan shares insights into how dental professionals can play a key role in identifying and addressing high blood pressure during routine visits. We explore the connection between oral hea...

In this episode of Health Talks, we spoke with Nicole Roege and Amy Thompson from Cass County Health Department about their innovative "Grow Your Own" program. This program is designed to introduce high school students to the rewarding field of public health dentistry. We explore how the first year of this program is already reshaping the future of rural oral health. By partnering with local schoo...

I sat down with two leaders in community healthcare, Dr. Lisa Green, CEO of Family Christian Health Center in Illinois, and Dr. Conway, founder of the I Am Abel Foundation. In this special Black History Month episode we chatted about how they've dedicated their careers to improving healthcare access and mentoring future generations. They share the pivotal moments that shaped their journeys, includ...

Today I sat down with Veronica Clarke, an accomplished leader in community healthcare and advocacy. We explore what fuels her dedication to wellness in Illinois, the impact of her work on addressing health disparities, and the challenges and successes she’s encountered along the way. Veronica shares insights on collaboration, personal wellness practices, and how Black History Month inspires her mi...

This week, we sat down with Marissa Persico from Junior Council and chatted about one of Chicago’s most iconic fundraising events—the Snowball Gala. More than just a glamorous night out, Snowball directly supports the Pediatric & Adolescent HIV/AIDS Clinic at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, ensuring that all children in the program receive high-quality healthcare, reg...

In this special holiday episode, we spoke with Ricardo Rinconeño from PrimeCare Health about the joy of giving back during the festive season. Ricardo shares his experiences with food drives, the rewarding moments that come with helping others, and how these initiatives bring communities together. We’ll hear about the "Adopt a Family" program and how Hora Del Cafe and Starbucks employees collabora...

We continue our conversation with Robin Henry, COO of Solvera Health, and are joined by Ollie Idowu, CEO of IPHCA. Together, they share the missions of their organizations and how they are working to improve community health in Illinois through dedicated partnerships. Robin and Ollie discuss how working together across organizations creates meaningful impact on the communities they serve. They ref...

Today, we’re getting into the power of communication in palliative care and why it matters for healthcare providers of all backgrounds. Palliative care focuses on supporting patients with serious illnesses or chronic conditions, and enhancing provider communication is key to delivering compassionate, effective care. Our guest is Lisa Werner from Lawndale Christian Health Center, and she participat...

We’re joined by Robin Henry, COO of Solvera Health, as she shares her journey and the innovative strides Solvera is making in population health. Robin goes behind the scenes of Solvera's unique “one-stop-shop” care model and stories about making a real impact in patients’ lives. From expanding clinic locations and building transformative community partnerships to celebrating moments that fuel her...