On our most recent episode of Health Matters: Cape Cod, we had the opportunity to speak with two leaders on the state and national level in the realm of higher education - one of the widely-recognized social determinants of health.   We had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Mary Grant, who is the Senior Administrative Fellow for Civics and Social Justice at Bridgewater State University, where she also leads the Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice. Dr. Grant was joined by her colleague and friend Dr. Dana Mohler-Faria, President Emeritus of Bridgewater State University.    In our conversation with Dr. Grant and Dr. Mohler-Faria, we first discuss access to higher education, in particular, the significance of higher education beyond the individual, to the family and community. The primary focus of our discussion is the intersection of higher education and social justice, defined as "justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society."   Drs. Grant and Mohler-Faria emphasize the role that higher education institutions play in educating students and the broader community on issues of social justice. This conversation is especially timely given the moment of reconciliation occurring across our country as we face the legacy of social injustices and systemic racism in our communities. 

Health Matters: Cape Cod

Higher Education & Social Justice

In this episode we speak with Erica Waasdorp, President of A Direct Solution. Erica works with non-profit clients nationally and internationally on growing monthly giving programs. In our conversation, Erica sets the tone by defining philanthropy, acknowledging that it looks different for everyone, but it is always comprised of some combination of time, treasure, and talent. Erica shares insights from her wide range of experience in establishing, managing, and participating in monthly giving programs. She uses the uncertainty of the past year to illustrate the value of the consistent revenue stream that successful monthly giving programs provide. She encourages donors to invest monthly in any cause they're passionate about.

The Value of Philanthropy and the Monthly Gift

In this episode, we have a honor of speaking with Dr. Corrie Vilsaint, a research fellow in psychology at Harvard Medical School and principle investigator at the Recovery Research Institute at the Center for Addiction Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Vilsaint also serves on Duffy Health Center's Board of Directors.  In our conversation, we discuss the science of addiction and recovery; access and barriers to treatment; the instrumental impact of recovery support services for those struggling with substance use and for those on their recovery journey; and addiction & recovery in the time of COVID. We look at all of these topics through the lens of racial health equity. 

Addiction, Recovery, and Racial Health Equity

 In this episode, we speak with Melissa Payne and Jeremy Wurzburg, two Duffy team members in the role of Recovery Support Navigator. Both in recovery themselves, Melissa and Jeremy share insights into the work they do and the value that their lived experiences bring to their roles.    Jeremy discusses his work as part of the  RecoveryBuild Alternative Peer Group, supporting teens and young adults across Cape Cod who are seeking recovery - the only program of its kind in our region.   The two also talk about how the crucial support they've provided to the innovative programs that Duffy Health Center has implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.    Finally, we get to hear about Perfectly Different Faces, a children's book about Duffy Health Center that Melissa wrote and Jeremy illustrated.

The Power of Peer Support

In this episode of Health Matters: Cape Cod, we're joined by Bobby Watts, CEO of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council. Bobby provides an overview of the Council's work and strategic initiatives, including a brief lesson on the landscape of homelessness in the US. The conversation is particularly impactful given its relevance to current events - we talk about how Black Americans are disproportionately affected by homelessness in the US because of systemic racism & public policy; we also hear about how the Council is supporting homeless health care programs around the country during the COVID pandemic.  

Health Care for the Homeless

This special episode of Health Matters: Cape Cod brings together leaders from three local organizations who share a common mission of supporting our most vulnerable neighbors. Host Sara Grambach is from Duffy Health Center; Edye Nesmith represents the Cape Cod Council of Churches; Adam Burnett joins from Champ Homes. Edye and Adam share details on the wide array of services their organizations provide, and the care that staff and volunteers take in providing them. Their programs have adjusted in the time of COVID, yet they continue to care for our vulnerable neighbors, who need support now more than ever. Finally, we hear about upcoming collaborative fundraiser Hymns of Hope, featuring famed Irish tenor John McDermott. Learn more and buy tickets at www.HymnsofHopeCapeCod.org. 

Hymns of Hope

In this episode, we welcome Amanda Converse, Co-Founder & CEO of Love Live Local. Amanda shares insight on the evolution of the organization's mission, from its inception in 2013 to its newly-minted nonprofit status. LLL is laser-focused on advocating for local businesses which directly impacts the health of our communities - and not just economically. We also hear about Love Live Local's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and some exciting news about the upcoming Virtual Edition of the Love Local Fest (July 26 - August 1, 2020). 

Supporting Our Local Economy

In the first of a series of episodes featuring conversations with local leaders about their organizations' response to the COVID-19 crisis, we're joined by Kristin O'Malley, President and CEO of the Cape Cod Foundation. Kristin takes us on a deep dive into how community foundations work and how they are specially equipped to respond to a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. The Cape Cod Foundation plays an important role in assisting donors as they decide how to invest resources into our community. The Foundation also provides leadership around initiatives to increase organizational capacity and nourish the next generation of leaders on Cape Cod.

The Cape Cod Foundation

In this episode we speak with David Quinn, Director of Housing Development and Planning at Housing Assistance (HAC).   Our conversation covers several topics related to HAC's efforts to increase access to stable housing for individuals and families across Cape Cod. David explains complex issues clearly, bringing to light the root causes of the housing crisis on the Cape. The conversation touches on challenges accessing housing, barriers to developing new and different types of housing inventory, and strict zoning restrictions. 

Housing Development and Planning

In this episode, we have the opportunity to speak with Jay Coburn, CEO of the Community Development Partnership (CDP). Our conversation with Jay covers several topics that are essential to the vitality of our community: building a strong local economy; accessing and creating housing opportunities for people on the lower and outer Cape; and transportation. By way of telling listeners how they can get involved in the work of the CDP and in their own community, Jay dives into details about the Lower Cape Community Housing Partnership, "a comprehensive community-based strategy to build public support for affordable housing."

Community Development on the Outer Cape

In this episode of Health Matters: Cape Cod, we speak with YMCA Cape Cod President & CEO Stacie Peugh about the wide array of services that the YMCA provides to Cape Cod residents, both at their Barnstable location and through community partnerships across the Cape.    Stacie shares insights on the YMCA's three basic values: youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, and how those come to life in our community. She touches on early childhood development, the Young Achievers program, food insecurity and poverty. Stacie also explains the YMCA process for assessing the needs of a community and the creative ways that they meets those identified needs. 

YMCA Cape Cod

In this episode, we chat with Wendy Northcross, CEO of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. The discussion revolves around infrastructure topics that are unique to the Cape: bridges, waste water, housing and transportation. Wendy talks about these fundamental elements that are significant to the development and growth of our community, and what we can all do to have our voices heard on these topics.

Local Infrastructure

Cindy Horgan, Executive Director of Cape Cod Children's Place, joins us for a conversation about the fundamental importance of early childhood education for the entire community. We discuss the challenges faced by local families who are subject to the cost of housing, lower than state average incomes, and are faced with a scarcity of early childhood education options. Cindy leaves us with ideas on how we can get involved and influence change on this issue in our Cape Cod community. 

Early Childhood Education

Today we have the opportunity to speak with two members of Duffy Health Center's Moms Do Care Team: Alicia Gapstur, Certified Addictions Registered Nurse, and Sarah Ducie, Peer Recovery Coach. Moms Do Care is a state-funded program dedicated to supporting women who are pregnant and/or parenting and have a diagnosed opiate use disorder. If you or someone you know may be in need of this team's services, you can call Sarah directly on the referral phone: (774) 368-5713

Moms Do Care

In this episode of Health Matters: Cape Cod, we chat with Lisa Guyon, the Executive Director of WE CAN - Women's Empowerment through Cape Area Networking. We talk about the work that WE CAN is doing for women in our Cape Cod community, emerging trends related to the social determinants of health, and collaborations in our community. 

Social Cohesion

Welcome to Health Matters: Cape Cod, a podcast brought to you by Duffy Health Center. We are joined by leaders from across the Cape to discuss the social and economic conditions that surround us and influence our health, the health of our families, and the health of our communities. From access to primary care, to education, employment, food security and housing, all of these shape who we are and how we thrive in our communities. Health Matters conversations are meant to inform and inspire us – to influence change for ourselves and our communities on this little sandbar we call home.

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Health Matters: Cape Cod

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