In this episode of CommonHealth, Dr. Angela Taylor, Director of Health Center Control Network – Center for Data, Analytics, and Quality (CDAQ) at VCHA, hosts a conversation with Korey Cobb, Chief Operations Officer of HealthWorks for Northern Virginia, and participant in CHCU's Class of 2024.

Find out how Cobb leveraged his CHCU participation to enhance HealthWorks' healthcare services delivery and community engagement. Get his insights on the time commitment, impressive content of the courses, and immensely beneficial leadership training the program offers. And learn some exciting possibilities for CHCU's future! You won't want to miss this awesome episode.

Learn more about CHCU here!

With special guests:

Korey Cobb, Chief Operations Officer, HealthWorks for Northern Virginia and Dr. Angela Taylor, Director of Health Center Control Network – Center for Data, Analytics, and Quality (CDAQ)

In our latest episode of CommonHealth, guest host Adrienne Harden, VCHA's Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, discusses the important topic of food insecurity in Virginia with Meaghan Butler, from the Federation of Virginia Food Banks and Maria Bowman, with Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. Together, they unearth the differences between food banks and food pantries, explore how food banking in Virginia has evolved over the years, discuss the importance of Virginians having access to whole, healthful foods and how it lowers chronic disease rates, and dissect how different localities require different solutions to food insecurity. You absolutely will not want to miss this episode! Download and listen today!

With special guests:

Meaghan Butler MPH, RD, Senior Director of Health Equity, Federation of Virginia Food Banks and Maria Bowman, MPH, Director of Health Initiatives, Blue Ridge Area Food Bank

Guest host:

Adrienne Harden, RDN, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Virginia Community Healthcare Association

SNAP and Food Assistance Resources:

• SNAP application assistor request form
• Food Bank and Food Pantry locator
• Free or Reduced Cost resource locator (including food, housing etc.)
• Emergency Food Hotline and services
• Call 211 to find agencies to assist with finding food in an emergency
• Call USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273)

On this episode of CommonHealth, host Tracy Douglas talks about coal worker's pneumoconiosis, or “black lung disease,” with three folks impacted by black lung in different ways: Dr. Drew Harris, medical director of the Black Lung Program at Stone Mountain Health Services, and Mr. John and Mrs. Vonda Robinson, a husband and wife duo who have advocated for miners affected by black lung since Mr. John’s diagnosis at 47 years old after working almost three decades in the mines of southwestern Virginia.

Together, Tracy, Dr. Drew, and the Robinsons give intimate insight into black lung disease: Its misconception as one disease, what it’s like living with black lung, and how difficult it is for miners and their families who are impacted by black lung to get a disability stipend and insurance coverage for their care. You won’t want to miss this incredible and important conversation.

With special guests:

Dr. Drew Harris, Medical Director, Black Lung Program at Stone Mountain Health Services, Vonda Robinson, Vice President, National Black Lung Association, and John Robinson, Retired Coal Miner and Coal Miner Advocate

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 the ins and outs of the program, and share their firsthand experiences with the community members who utilize the program. You won't want to miss this one!

With special guests:

Robin Gahan, Vice President of Community Impact for Central Virginia, American Heart Association; Tabitha Goode, Manager of Growth and Community Engagement, Molina Healthcare of Virginia; and Tera James, Community Health Worker, Central Virginia Health Services, Inc.

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 North Carolina who inspired the inception of Mission Mobile Medical, and the leap of faith that Travis took to begin this important work. Most importantly, hear the gratitude from patients and providers and the impact mobile units have on the communities they serve.

With special guests:

Travis LeFever, CEO, Mission Mobile Medical and Brad Watson, CRO, Mission Mobile Medical

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 healthcare in such a tight-knit and targeted area. As natives of Appalachian cultures, these guest experts teach how to build trust with patients and deeply listen to them to best collaborate on their care. You won't want to miss this crucial conversation!

With special guests:

Dr. Theresa Burriss, Jane Sage, FNP, and Dr. Paige Billman

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 healthy relationship with food with Adrienne!

With special guest:

Adrienne Harden, RDN, Virginia Community Healthcare Association

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 special guest:

Melina Davis, CEO of the Medical Society of Virginia