In this episode of Contagious Conversations, Anna King and Elizabeth Rorick of the National PTA discuss the impact of COVID-19 on schools, children and parents—especially when it comes to mental health—and their advice for nurturing healthy minds. Anna King has over 20 years of leadership experience at all levels of PTA and is a dedicated and passionate child advocate. Elizabeth Rorick has been with the National PTA for more than 12 years, representing PTA before Congress on a vast array of children's education K-12 issues, including special education, early childhood and children's behavioral health. For full episode transcription, visit Contagious Conversations.   Key Takeaways: [1:50] Anna talks about the role of the National PTA. [2:30] How has COVID-19 affected Anna’s role as National PTA President? [3:40] Beth talks about her role at the National PTA. [4:38] Beth speaks about the importance of mental health during this pandemic for parents and children. [5:59] Anna shares how COVID-19 is affecting education. [7:14] Anna gives advice to parents who are worried about their child’s health and safety in schools during this pandemic. [8:38] Beth provides background on the National PTA’s focus on healthy minds during the COVID-19 pandemic. [10:44] A discussion of how COVID is taking a toll on children but on parents as well. [10:52] Three suggestions for parents to prioritize their own mental health. [12:02] What can we do to reduce the stigma associated with mental health? [13:08] Anna talks about how COVID-19 is affecting classrooms this academic year. [15:52] The partnership between parents, teachers and administrators is more important now than it has ever been before. [17:12] Elizabeth shares findings from listening sessions that presented parent perspectives and priorities for their children and education. [22:00] How can we recognize the signs of a parent or a child who is struggling emotionally? What can we do to help them? [24:31] How has the role of the NPTA evolved during the pandemic? [28:40] How has the role of educators changed during COVID-19? [32:01] Is there an opportunity for a larger focus on mental health for teachers, parents and students? [32:51] Anna and Beth share advice for parents.   Mentioned in This Episode: CDC Foundation National PTA Healthy Minds Toolkit National PTA Podcast: Notes from the Backpack 

Contagious Conversations

22. Helping Our Kids Through COVID

Dr. Judy Monroe hosts Dr. Atul Nakhasi and Dr. Elizabeth Homan Sandoval, frontline doctors working on the COVID-19 response, in a discussion about how vaccine hesitancy continues to be a challenge in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and the power of spreading culturally competent information using trusted voices in our communities. Dr. Nakhasi serves as an advisor to the office of government affairs and policy for the LA County Department of Health Services and is the co-founder of ThisIsOurShot, the country’s leading vaccine trust movement by frontline healthcare workers. Dr. Homan Sandoval is a psychiatrist working with children and teens and also focuses on educating and empowering the Latinx community to get vaccinated and highlighting ways to combat healthcare disparities. For full episode transcription, visit Contagious Conversations.   Key Takeaways: [1:54] Dr. Nakhasi shares how COVID-19 changed the work that he does as a doctor. [3:37] Dr. Homan Sandoval talks about how her work with children and teens changed as a result of the emergence of COVID-19. [7:30] Dr. Nakhasi talks about some of the reasons he is hearing from patients in regards to why they are hesitant to get the COVID-19 vaccine. [9:15] Dr. Homan Sandoval shares how she has experienced vaccine hesitancy in her work. [10:54] Dr. Nakhasi shares his memories of the early days of the pandemic. [13:19] Dr. Homan Sandoval shares her personal experience navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and how the pandemic has impacted children and teens and their care. [19:05] How can we help the unvaccinated populations? [24:50] Dr. Nakhasi talks about the #ThisIsOurShot campaign. [27:33] Dr. Homan Sandoval talks about the #VacunateYa campaign, which focuses on sharing important health information with the Latinx community. [29:46] Dr. Nakhasi shares three key lessons to help other medical and public health leaders share trusted information, particularly about the COVID-19 vaccine.   Mentioned in This Episode: CDC Foundation Visit CDC for information about COVID 19 

21. Overcoming Vaccine Hesitancy

 In this special episode of Contagious Conversations, new CDC director Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky joins CDC Foundation President and CEO Dr. Judy Monroe to discuss CDC's latest work to combat COVID-19, how public health professionals can help prepare communities for a new normal, and her vision for the future of the agency that works 24/7 to protect America's health, safety and security. Dr. Walensky is an influential scholar whose pioneering research has helped to advance the national and global response for HIV and AIDS. She has served as chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Most recently, she served on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic and conducted research on vaccine delivery and strategies to reach underserved communities. For more information and full episode transcription go to Contagious Conversations.   Key Takeaways: [2:12] Dr. Walensky shares how she decided to work in the field of public health.  [3:26] Dr. Walensky discusses the people and values that influenced her professionally and personally.   [5:07] Dr. Walensky reflects on global efforts to fight infectious diseases since the 90s.   [7:18] Dr. Walensky shares how she’s incorporating her experiences working on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic into her work leading CDC.   [9:19] How CDC is tackling the important challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.  [11:45] Dr. Walensky shares how CDC works with public health partners to take on the current challenges, especially related to health equity.  [15:53] Dr. Walensky explains how she responds to questions about life returning to normal: ‘When are things going to get back to normal?’   [18:06] Dr. Walensky talks about rebuilding the agency’s infrastructure in public health, including increasing the workforce, updating systems for data modernization and investing in public health labs.  [20:07] A discussion on how society’s view of public health can be changed.   [22:04] Dr. Walensky reflects on the role of philanthropy in tackling health challenges.  [23:28] Dr. Walensky gives advice to future public health leaders of America.    Mentioned in This Episode: CDC Foundation  Visit CDC.gov for detailed information about COVID-19    

20. A Pivotal Time for Public Health

When Dr. Evelyn McKnight was battling breast cancer in 2002, the last thing on her mind was hepatitis C. So when she and her husband Thomas learned she had contracted the virus from unsafe injection practices during her treatment, they were shocked. Now she's sharing the story of how she turned this tragic event into an ongoing campaign for patient safety. Dr. Evelyn McKnight, an audiologist and mother of three, is a nationally recognized patient safety advocate and survivor of one of the largest viral outbreaks in American healthcare history. For more information and full episode transcription go to Contagious Conversations.   Key Takeaways: [1:16]  What drew Dr. McKnight to her career as an audiologist. [4:01] Dr. McKnight shares her journey battling a recurrence of breast cancer and learning she had been infected with hepatitis C while receiving treatment. [6:03] Dr. McKnight talks about receiving the diagnosis of hepatitis C. [7:33] Dr. McKnight describes the climate at the moment she and her husband, Thomas, formed the HONOReform Foundation. [9:33] There are still unsafe injection practices out there in America. [10:44] How would Dr. McKnight assess the evolution of patient advocacy, both in terms of awareness and resources for patients? [12:39] Dr. McKnight’s story has helped provide many resources for many people. [13:58] We still see lapses in infection control practices even today. How often do we see these lapses in the United States overall? [16:41] Patients need to be empowered and need to be engaged as members of their healthcare team. [17:01] Dr. McKnight talks about where these lapses might occur if someone is getting treatment like chemotherapy or maybe having surgery. [17:57] Dr. McKnight shares her work in helping start the Safe Injection Practices Coalition with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the CDC Foundation, and she also talks about the impact it has had on patient safety. [19:33] Who are some of the stakeholders that were engaged in the overall success of the coalition? [21:49] Dr. McKnight talks about her new fund, the Evelyn and Thomas McKnight Family Fund for Patient Safety. [22:27] Who is the first recipient of the McKnight Prize for Healthcare Outbreak Heroes? [24:55] Dr. McKnight shares her thoughts about how far she’s come since 2002. [26:03] As a patient, what can we do to protect ourselves when we are having medical treatment? [28:16] Dr. McKnight gives her advice for the future public health leaders of America.   Mentioned in This Episode: Injection Safety @ CDC.gov One and Only Campaign CDC Foundation Visit CDC.gov for detailed information about COVID 19 

19. A Fighter for Patient Safety

After a career in pediatrics and both public and private health leadership, Dr. Lauren Smith is now stepping into the new position of chief health equity and strategy officer at the CDC Foundation. In this episode, she discusses the perspectives on health equity, systemic racism and community resiliency that she's bringing to the role. Dr. Lauren Smith is the chief health equity and strategy officer for the CDC Foundation. In her new role for the foundation, Dr. Smith partners with senior leaders to develop and drive strategic efforts to embed health equity across COVID-19 response activities. For more information and full episode transcription go to Contagious Conversations.   Key Takeaways: [1:40] Dr. Smith shares her motivation to work as a pediatrician and how that choice shaped her career. [3:57] Dr. Smith talks about the impact of public health during the COVID-19 pandemic. [7:08] Dr. Smith explains why trust and credibility are part of the core mission of public health. [8:20] Dr. Smith talks about health equity and how it impacted her work. [10:40] Is there a greater awareness about the role racism plays in public health than before the pandemic? [12:40] COVID-19 has worked as a catalyst to bring racism and inequality to light. [14:05] Dr. Smith shares the topics she wants to address in her new position at the CDC Foundation. [17:10] Who are the key partners Dr. Smith is looking for? [18:56] What are the main messages to get out to the public about ways in which they can engage in the mission of public health? [21:00] Dr. Smith shares key tools to make sure important public health messages are communicated in accessible ways to communities. [23:22] What are the greatest challenges and opportunities to serve populations at risk? [26:25] What role should equity play in how the vaccine is rolled out? [28:20] How can the concerns of populations at risk be alleviated? [30:30] Dr. Smith talks about the different sectors of public health coming together to address the challenges presented by the current pandemic. [32:50] Dr. Smith talks about the involvement of the private sector. [34:08] What advice does Dr. Smith have for the future public health leaders of America?   Mentioned in This Episode: CDC Foundation Visit CDC for detailed information about COVID 19 

18. Thriving and Resilient Communities

Meet the man whose discovery has made it possible to save millions of lives. In this episode, Dr. Harvey Alter shares the story of his 50-plus year career and how his research led to the discovery of the hepatitis C virus. Dr. Harvey J. Alter is a Senior Scholar at the National Institute for Health and was just named the recipient of the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his work in discovering the hepatitis C Virus. Dr. Alter’s research focused on patients who developed chronic hepatitis from an unknown agent during blood transfusions. Dr. Alter was also the recipient of the 2015 CDC Foundation Fries Prize for Improving Health, which is an award that recognizes an individual who has made major contributions to improve health. For more information and full episode transcription go to Contagious Conversations.   Key Takeaways: [1:35] Dr. Alter shares how he received the news about receiving the Nobel Prize in Medicine. [2:47] What drew Dr. Alter to the field of health research? [6:40] Dr. Alter talks about his career. [10:51] Dr. Alter shares his Aha! moment. [16:26] Dr. Alter talks about the moment when he realized he was on the cusp of something big. [18:38] Dr. Alter shares the lessons he learned in times of COVID-19. [22:45] Dr. Alter talks about the importance of organizations like NIH and CDC. [25:27] Dr. Alter talks about the main challenges in developing a vaccine for hepatitis C. [30:18] What is next in Dr. Alter’s career trying to eradicate hepatitis C? [32:35] What advice does Dr. Alter have for the future public health leaders of America?   Mentioned in This Episode: CDC Foundation Visit CDC.gov for detailed information about COVID-19 

17. A Nobel Prize-Winning Career

In Season 6 of Contagious Conversations, you'll hear what it was like to discover Hepatitis C from recent Nobel Prize winner Dr. Harvey Alter, learn about the latest strategies for tackling health equity and systemic racism during the COVID-19 pandemic from Dr. Lauren Smith, and find out how advocates like Dr. Evelyn McKnight are working to save lives by preventing unsafe injection practices.

Season 6 Trailer: Contagious Conversations

Chief Lynn Malerba has served as a registered nurse, as director of Cardiology and Pulmonary Services at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, as chairwoman of the Tribal Council and now as the first female Chief of the Mohegan Tribe. And she’s now drawing on this full history as the COVID-19 pandemic sweeps disproportionately through the Native American population. For more information and full episode transcription go to Contagious Conversations (www.cdcfoundation.org/conversations). About Chief Malerba: Chief Lynn Malerba the first female Chief in the modern history of the Mohegan Tribe, a sovereign, federally-recognized Indian tribe with a reservation in Southeastern Connecticut. Prior to becoming Chief, Malerba served as chairwoman of the Tribal Council and served in Tribal Government as executive director of Health and Human Services. Preceding her work for the Mohegan Tribe, Malerba had a lengthy career as a registered nurse and as the director of Cardiology and Pulmonary Services at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital. Malerba is chairwoman of the Tribal Self-Governance Advisory Committee of the Federal Indian Health Service, a member of the Justice Department’s Tribal Nations Leadership Council, a member of the Tribal Advisory Committee for the National Institute of Health and a member of the Treasury Tribal Advisory Committee.   Key Takeaways: [1:55] What led Chief Malerba to the field of nursing earlier in her career? [4:12] Chief Malerba talks about how she became the Director of Cardiology and Pulmonary Services at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital. [5:19] Chief Malerba shares how she became Chief. [7:47] Chief Malerba talks about her main responsibilities as Chief. [10:24] You have to raise your voice for the ones you are advocating for. [11:13] Chief Malerba talks about the impact of COVID-19 on her community. [13:17] Chief Malerba shares the existing health challenges for Native Americans prior to the pandemic. [18:46] How has the budget process contributed to the health iniquities Native Americans face? [21:29] How did COVID-19 add to the already existing health challenges of Native Americans? [22:37] Do certain cultural traditions of tribes present potential challenges during this time of coronavirus? [25:29] Chief Malerba talks about ways that tribal nations have previously worked with the U.S. during public health emergencies. [27:59] Chief Malerba talks about tribal nations and their work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in providing preparedness and response resources for tribal leaders. [30:35] How has COVID-19 impacted Chief Malerba’s ability to do her work? [31:50] How are rural tribal communities overcoming challenges to ensure good information is shared with their citizens? [33:27] Chief Malerba talks about the best approaches for those in public health to reach tribal nations. [35:58] Chief Malerba shares the story she wants people to know about public health and tribal nations. [38:51] Chief Malerba gives her advice to the future public health leaders of America.   Mentioned in This Episode: CDC Foundation Visit CDC.gov for detailed information about COVID 19

16: Raising Your Voice

How much do you really know about contact tracing? And would you have what it takes to be a successful contact tracer? Dr. Joshua Sharfstein of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Health takes listeners through the essential ins and outs of contact tracing during a public health crisis like COVID-19. For more information and full episode transcription go to Contagious Conversations (www.cdcfoundation.org/conversations). About Dr. Sharfstein: Dr. Joshua Sharfstein is the vice dean for public health practice and community engagement, as well as professor of practice in health policy and management, at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Sharfstein is also director of the Bloomberg American Health Initiative. His previous roles have included secretary of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, principal deputy commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, commissioner of health for Baltimore City, and health policy advisor for Congressman Henry A. Waxman.   Key Takeaways: [1:26] Dr. Sharfstein shares what motivated him to join the field of public health. [2:21] Dr. Sharfstein talks about his favorite aspect of being a pediatrician. [3:22] Dr. Sharfstein taught a course titled “Crisis and Response in Public Health Policy and Practice” and he shares the most common questions his students had as the pandemic unfolded. [6:14] Dr. Sharfstein’s steps to follow while in a health crisis: acknowledge there is a crisis; communicate consistently; have knowledgeable people as the lead communicators; and centralize a response process where everybody knows their role. [7:45] Dr. Sharfstein shares his perspective on how COVID-19 has influenced people to get a better understanding of the role of public health workers. [9:36] The core functions of a contact tracer. [11:38] What kind of infrastructure is needed to help contact tracers? [13:10] Dr. Sharfstein talks about the biggest misconceptions about contact tracers. [13:46] A contact tracer is someone from the health department who is reaching out to help you and the people around you to stay safe. [14:40] Where are contact tracers needed the most? [16:29] Key skills to be a successful contact tracer. [18:42] Dr. Sharfstein shares some of the successes seen in combating public health emergencies using contact tracing. [21:35] Public health is collaborative work. [22:33] Key leaders who need to be part of the collaborative work in public health. [23:26] Public Health On Call is a podcast produced by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. [26:24] Dr. Sharfstein’s advice to the future public health leaders of America.   Mentioned in This Episode: CDC Foundation Visit CDC.gov for information about COVID-19

15: A Crash Course in Contact Tracing

Curious about the people who are making the world healthier and safer for us all, and what set them on that path? Get inspired as the CDC Foundation interviews experts who share their unique perspectives on today’s toughest health challenges, such as antibiotic resistance, global disease outbreaks, health equality and more.

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Contagious Conversations

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