Health Calls: Recent Episodes
Catholic Health Association
From ethics to advocacy, Health Calls brings together thought leaders from Catholic health care, academia, public policy, and other organizations to discuss timely topics related to the common good and creating a more just and healthy society. Hosted by Brian Reardon, Health Calls is the official podcast of the Catholic Health Association of the United States.
In the Season 6 finale of Health Calls, host Brian Reardon and executive producer Josh Matejka reflect on the theme “United for Change” through a clip show featuring top voices in Catholic healthcare.
Drawing from insights shared at the Catholic Health Association Assembly, Brian and Josh highlight how unity, collaboration and Catholic social teaching are transforming care delivery across the United States. Clips from six different episodes underscore the importance of listening deeply, valuing lived experience and addressing social determinants of health such as housing, food insecurity and mental health. From parish nurse programs to community partnerships and immigrant advocacy, these conversations illustrate how Catholic healthcare can elevate human flourishing by working collaboratively, building trust and centering the dignity of every person.
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
Health Calls Season 6, Episode 17 explores how health systems across the United States can improve outcomes by connecting health care, nature, and community partnerships. Host Brian Reardon and Executive Producer Josh Matejka welcome Dr. Sheetal Rao, Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois Chicago, to examine the growing evidence linking green space access to better physical, mental, and community health.
Dr. Rao shares how the COVID‑19 pandemic revealed stark inequities in access to nature, introducing concepts like tree equity and “nature deficit” in underserved communities. The conversation highlights how hospitals, acting as anchor institutions, can partner with local organizations to expand tree canopy, support biodiversity, and reduce environmental risks like heat, flooding, and air pollution. With U.S. health care contributing significantly to climate impacts, Dr. Rao underscores how nature‑based solutions, from native plantings to urban forestry, can strengthen resilience, improve health outcomes, and advance more equitable, sustainable care nationwide.
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
Health Calls Season 6, Episode 16 highlights how health systems across the United States are expanding medication access through the nonprofit Dispensary of Hope.
Host Brian Reardon speaks with Mike Wascovich, Vice President of Medication Management and Chief Pharmacy Officer at Ascension, about addressing one of the nation’s most urgent challenges—prescription affordability. With as many as half of U.S. prescriptions going unfilled due to cost, the Dispensary of Hope connects donated medications from pharmaceutical partners to clinics and pharmacies serving vulnerable populations. Wascovich explains how the program has grown into a national network of more than 300 sites, helping patients manage chronic conditions like diabetes, asthma, and hypertension. By improving adherence, reducing hospitalizations, and cutting unnecessary waste, this collaborative model demonstrates how U.S. health care organizations can work together to lower costs, improve outcomes, and ensure patients receive the medications they need to heal.
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
Health Calls Season 6, Episode 15 continues the United for Change season with a global perspective on collaboration in health. Host Brian Reardon and Executive Producer Josh Matejka welcome Monsignor Robert J. Vitillo, newly appointed Chief Officer for Innovation and Programs at Catholic Charities USA, to reflect on the state of global health amid shifting U.S. priorities.
Drawing on decades of experience with the Holy See at the United Nations in Geneva, Vitillo explains how reduced funding, rising conflict, chronic disease, and mental health challenges are straining health systems worldwide. He highlights the importance of international cooperation, warning that isolationist approaches weaken vaccination efforts, emergency preparedness, and workforce stability, even within the United States. Through real‑world examples, including Ebola response efforts in West Africa, the conversation underscores why Catholic health care’s commitment to human dignity, partnership, and solidarity remains vital at home and abroad. The episode calls listeners to see global health as a shared responsibility that directly shapes local care.
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
Health Calls Season 6, Episode 14 examines how health systems across the United States are collaborating to lower medication costs through the groundbreaking nonprofit manufacturer Civica Rx. Host Brian Reardon and Executive Producer Josh Matejka speak with Dr. Daniel Roth, Executive Vice President and COO of Trinity Health, about how Civica was founded to address persistent generic drug shortages, supply chain disruptions, and affordability issues affecting hospitals nationwide.
Dr. Roth explains how Civica brings together Catholic health systems, nonprofit providers, for‑profit partners, and philanthropic organizations to create a health‑utility model that prioritizes stable supply over profit. He details how Civica now supports more than 1,400 hospitals with affordable generic medications and is expanding its portfolio based on national clinical need. This episode highlights why cross‑sector collaboration is essential for U.S. patients, clinicians, and caregivers—and how collective action can reduce costs, strengthen supply chains, and advance whole‑person care across the country
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
Health Calls Season 6, Episode 13 explores how interfaith engagement strengthens whole‑person care and human flourishing across the United States. Host Brian Reardon and Executive Producer Josh Matejka welcome Suzanne Watts Henderson, PhD, Senior Director of Faith & Health at Interfaith America to discuss religious diversity as a civic asset and a practical lever for community trust in health care.
The conversation traces Interfaith America’s move from higher‑ed leadership development into health care settings, accelerated during the pandemic as faith leaders partnered with clinicians to bridge trust and boost vaccine confidence—including stories from Charlotte and other local communities. Henderson unpacks a simple framework—respect, relate, cooperate—for Catholic and non‑Catholic partners to deliver spiritual care that honors human dignity for everyone, not only Catholics.
Resources
Read Suzanne Watts Henderson and Eboo Patel's 2024 article in Health Progress
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
Health Calls Season 6, Episode 12 explores how Catholic ministries across the United States are responding to the growing immigration crisis. Host Brian Reardon and Executive Producer Josh Matejka welcome Bill Canny, Executive Director of the USCCB’s Secretariat of Migration, to discuss the national You Are Not Alone campaign.
Rooted in Catholic social teaching and launched in response to heightened fear among immigrant communities, the initiative offers support to families facing deportation threats, lack of legal protection, and barriers to accessing health care, schools, and parish life. Canny explains how dioceses nationwide are mobilizing volunteers, parish groups, and Catholic health care to provide accompaniment, resources, and reassurance. With fear driving declines in clinic visits and school attendance across many states, this conversation highlights how the Church is uniting for change, standing with vulnerable immigrants, and affirming their dignity during an especially challenging moment.
Resources
Watch the USCCB's Special Pastoral Message on Immigration
Learn more about the You Are Not Alone campaign
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
Health Calls Season 6, Episode 11 delivers an important Washington health policy update, as host Brian Reardon and Executive Producer Josh Matejka welcome Paulo Pontemayor, CHA’s Senior Director for Government Relations. Paulo breaks down the latest federal health care policy developments impacting Catholic health care, including the expiration of ACA premium tax credits, rising insurance costs, and ongoing coalition advocacy through Keep Americans Covered.
The conversation also highlights key wins in recent appropriations bills, such as extensions for essential Medicare and Medicaid provisions, telehealth flexibilities, and delayed Medicaid DSH cuts. Looking ahead, Paulo previews 2026 priorities—Medicaid work requirements, maternal health initiatives, and immigration policies rooted in human dignity. As a pivotal election year shapes congressional action, listeners learn how CHA members and community partners can stay engaged through advocacy alerts, local outreach, and collaborative efforts that strengthen access to care and support whole‑person health across the country.
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
Health Calls Season 6, Episode 10 highlights Healthspan Nevada County, an innovative community‑based wellness model redefining whole‑person care. Host Brian Reardon and Executive Producer Josh Matejka talk with Dr. Scott Neeley, president and CEO of Dignity Health’s Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, about how this collaborative approach strengthens community health beyond traditional clinical care.
Rooted in four pillars—movement, food, connection, and youth development—the Healthspan model brings together nonprofits, arts organizations, schools, and health leaders to prevent chronic disease and promote long‑term wellness. Dr. Neeley explains why community connection, healthy environments, and shared purpose play a critical role in improving health outcomes.
Read more about the HealthSpan Nevada County initiative in Health Progress.
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
Health Calls Season 6, Episode 9 explores how Catholic health care extends beyond hospital walls through parish nurse programs. Host Brian Reardon and Executive Producer Josh Matejka welcome Megan Timm, Regional Director of Community Health for SSM Health in Wisconsin, to discuss a model that has flourished in SSM Health's local communities.
Timm explains how parish nurses serve as trusted health resources within parishes and neighborhoods, blending clinical expertise with community connection. These nurses provide screenings, education, and navigation support while addressing social needs and offering spiritual care, embodying the whole-person care that Catholic health systems strive to provide. Megan also shares insights on program impact, recruitment strategies, and the importance of adapting to evolving community needs. This episode underscores collaboration as a cornerstone for improving health outcomes and strengthening ties between faith and care.
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
Health Calls Season 6, Episode 8 centers a conversation about mission integration and the formation of the next generation of health care workers. Host Brian Reardon and Executive Producer Josh Matejka are joined by Chip Chipman, Manager of Pastoral Care and Mission Integration at CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System, who reflects on the role of spiritual care as a core element of whole‑person care and how it extends beyond chaplaincy to every member of the care team.
The episode explores how students and new clinicians are introduced to Catholic mission, ethics, and values through relationship‑building, case studies, and real‑world engagement. Chip also discusses how technology, including e‑chaplaincy, can expand access to spiritual care while reinforcing the importance of presence and human connection. Together, the conversation highlights how Catholic health care can prepare future caregivers to lead with compassion, courage, and integrity.
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
Health Calls Season 6, Episode 7 explores how CommonSpirit Health partners with those who have lived experience of homelessness to shape solutions and fund grants. Host Brian Reardon and Executive Producer Josh Matejka welcome Nicole Wilson, Community Health and Housing System Manager at CommonSpirit Health, to discuss the Research and Equity Advisory Council for Housing Insecurities (REACHI).
Wilson explains how REACHI elevates voices of the formerly unhoused in decision-making, from grant allocation to program design, ensuring initiatives reflect real-world needs. The conversation highlights innovative approaches like safe parking programs for women living in vehicles and the importance of trauma-informed care and low-barrier housing options. Nicole shares how authentic power-sharing and feedback loops transform strategies across diverse communities, from Los Angeles to Washington State. This episode underscores Catholic health care’s commitment to collaboration and equity in addressing homelessness and housing insecurity.
Resources
Read recent Catholic Health World articles on REACHI and one of the programs it helped fund, Safe Parking LA
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
Health Calls Season 6, Episode 6 focuses on addressing food insecurity in rural communities. Host Brian Reardon and Executive Producer Josh Matejka welcome Lindsey Meyers, MBA, Vice President of Communications, PR, and Community Engagement at Avera Health.
Lindsey shares how Avera’s community health needs assessments revealed rising food insecurity across its largely rural footprint, prompting the creation of wellness pantries within clinics. These pantries provide emergency food supplies and connect patients to sustainable resources, complementing mobile food pantries and partnerships with Feeding South Dakota. Lindsey explains why food access is essential to whole-person care and how collaboration among clinicians, volunteers, and community partners drives success. The conversation highlights the program’s rapid growth, its impact on patients, and underscores Catholic health care’s commitment to meeting social determinants of health and evolving to serve community needs.
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
Health Calls Season 6, Episode 5 explores the power of storytelling and social media in sharing the mission of Catholic health care. Host Brian Reardon and Executive Producer Josh Matejka welcome Stephanie Hampton, a St. Louis-based content creator known for her Instagram account @explorestlparks. Stephanie shares her family's experience with Mercy Hospital’s NICU and how that inspired her to highlight the healing presence of Catholic health care online. Stephanie’s reflections on vulnerability, faith, and positivity offer a compelling reminder of the impact Catholic health care has on families—and how sharing those stories can inspire and connect communities.
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
Health Calls Season 6, Episode 4 explores the transformative power of Whole Person Care in the context of palliative care, with guest Lori Dangberg, Executive Vice President of the Alliance of Catholic Health Care in California.
Lori shares the origins and impact of a statewide initiative that brings together dioceses, parishes, and health systems to support patients and families through serious illness and end-of-life care. The episode highlights how collaborative education—through a five-module curriculum—empowers parish leaders and clinicians to engage in meaningful conversations around palliative care, Catholic moral teaching, and advanced care planning. With resources available in multiple languages and formats, the initiative fosters dignity, compassion, and informed decision-making. Hosts Brian Reardon and Josh Matejka reflect on the importance of this work as the population ages and the need for holistic care grows.
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
Health Calls Season 6, Episode 3 features a conversation with author, speaker, and former chaplain John O’Leary, whose life story inspired the new film Soul on Fire.
Host Brian Reardon and Executive Producer Josh Matejka speak with John about his journey from surviving a devastating childhood burn injury to becoming a voice for hope and healing. The episode highlights the unsung heroes of Catholic health care—nurses, CNAs, environmental services staff—whose compassion and presence helped John recover and thrive. Through reflections on faith, mission, and the dignity of every role in health care, John reminds listeners that true caregiving is rooted in love and purpose. His message is clear: every life is a precious gift, and every person has the power to make a difference.
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
Health Calls Season 6, Episode 2 continues the United for Change theme with a focus on youth mental health in Chicago. Host Brian Reardon and executive producer Josh Matejka speak with Dr. Anoop Takher, Interim Chair of Behavioral Health at Saint Anthony Hospital, about the hospital's SPARK Program. Designed to eliminate long wait times for psychiatric evaluations, SPARK offers integrated care—including speech and occupational therapy—under one roof. Dr. Takher shares how collaboration with partners like the Carol Robertson Center and local schools has expanded access and improved outcomes for children and families. SPARK’s model offers a blueprint for other systems seeking to meet behavioral health needs with compassion, efficiency, and equity.
Resources
Learn more about Saint Anthony Hospital's SPARK program
Watch CHA's This is Catholic Health Care video on the SPARK program
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
Host Brian Reardon and executive producer Josh Matejka welcome Sister Norma Pimentel, President and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, to discuss her work serving immigrant communities at the U.S.-Mexico border. Sister Norma shares moving stories of families fleeing violence and hardship, emphasizing the importance of restoring human dignity through compassion and encounter. The episode explores how Catholic health care and faith communities can collaborate to support vulnerable populations, regardless of legal status. Sister Norma encourages listeners to act with love, guided by faith, and to welcome immigrants into their communities. Her message is clear: healing begins with presence, understanding, and the courage to care.
Resources
Learn more about Sr. Norma's work at Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley
Access CHA's resources regarding immigration enforcement
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
As the national conversation around HR1, Medicaid and health care access continues, Catholic health care continues to affirm its belief that everyone deserves access to high-quality, affordable care. As this episode's guest highlights, that includes those in rural communities.
Luis A. Rojas, MD, FACOG, Clinical Vice President of Oncology Service Line at Avera, joins the show to discuss the system's efforts at serving cancer patients in their most rural communities. Dr. Rojas highlights both Avera's procedures and investment in innovative technology, and their belief in the mission of Catholic health care as a way to serve everyone, no matter where they live.
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
Like all popular trends, it's easy to adopt the latest and "greatest" technology as soon as it's released into the world. But what responsibility do Catholic health systems have in evaluating what changes they need to make? What - and who - is top of mind when these decisions are made?
Michael Sellers, Vice President of Facilities Management for Saint Anthony Hospital in Chicago, joins the show to discuss the facilities and operations perspective on changing health care technology. Sellers discusses Saint Anthony's recent innovations, their community-based strategy for making needed upgrades, and the importance of operations as a voice at the decision-making table.
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
Technological advances are nothing new for caregivers, who have been saturated with new tools to "help" them for decades. But are those tools actually helping? And what can the latest innovations do to alleviate the burden caregivers face on a day-to-day basis?
Dr. Heather Schmidt, System Medical Director, Healthy Work and Wellness at SSM Health, and Dr. Ann Cappellari, Chief Medical Information Officer and System Vice President at SSM Health, join the show to discuss their findings on how artificial intelligence can assist caregivers in their well-being. They discuss how technology has often added to the administrative burden caregivers face, offer insight into tools that help caregivers connect with their patients, and share how AI can help with the workforce shortages that American health care faces.
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
When we hear the word technology, we tend to think about computers, software, artificial intelligence, etc. But one form of technology that we tend to overlook has been a part of our lives for centuries: pharmacy.
Jeffrey Bishop, MD, Ph.D, Tenet Endowed Chair of Bioethics and Professor of Philosophy, Health Care Ethics and Philosophy at St. Louis University, joins the show to discuss how we can think critically about pharmaceuticals as technology. He discusses the etymology of the word "pharmacy," shares how power dynamics play into the decisions we make and offers advice on how to make sound, informed decisions about the drugs we take.
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
Medicaid covers 1 in 5 American adults, nearly half of all children in America and 41 percent of births in America. But despite acting as a lifeline for many Americans, the program is under threat of significant cuts from the federal government.
In a Health Calls special, CHA's Senior Director of Government Relations Paulo Pontemayor and Barbara DiPietro, PhD, Senior Director of Policy at the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, join the show to discuss the importance of Medicaid. They discuss how potential changes to the Medicaid program would impact American families, employment and community health. They also share how listeners can advocate for the program and the families that depend on it for vital health care coverage.
Resources
Visit CHA's "Medicaid Makes It Possible" page to learn how you can take action for Medicaid
Watch and share CHA's new informational Medicaid video
Advocate for Medicaid coverage to your elected representatives by calling the House switchboard at (202) 224-3121
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
If Catholic health care providers want to treat the whole person, then spiritual care is a vital piece of that puzzle. So in an age when virtual health care is becoming more and more prevalent, how do we also expand the reach of virtual spiritual care?
Justin Martin, Director of Spiritual Care Innovation and Transformation at Mercy in St. Louis, Mo., returns to Health Calls to talk about his teams' latest efforts in the virtual spiritual care space. He discusses Mercy's transition from the COVID Care @ Home program, how the system pivoted to in-house technological solutions, and how to maintain trust with patients who may mistrust technological advances.
Resources
Learn about Mercy's COVID Care @ Home program, which won CHA's 2023 Achievement Citation award
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
Catholic health care providers face a unique challenge – synthesizing the realities of their unique mission and the need to be technologically innovative. How do you faithfully follow the call to continue Jesus’s healing ministry and be as forward-thinking as possible?
Joe Kelly, Executive Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer at Mercy, joins the show for a two-part episode. In part one, Kelly discusses his journey to the current role he occupies, how Mercy’s mission colleagues play a role in the organization’s perspective on data, and a Biblical parable that has proved to be a rich, theological foundation for their team to build on.
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
In this second part of the discussion, Joe Kelly discusses the steps Mercy has taken to protect patient privacy, highlights partnerships that have kept them on the cutting edge and explains how Mercy’s foundresses act as a guiding light for his team as they move forward.
To listen to the first part of this discussion, click here.
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
This is an updated version from our previous podcast posting with corrected audio - we apologize for the inconvenience
When it comes to learning about and treating the communities we serve, data is the key. But with so much data out there, how do Catholic health providers begin to sort through it all and make sense of what they find?
Jaime Dircksen, Vice President of Community Health and Well-Being at Trinity Health, joins the show to discuss how she and her team utilize data to best serve Trinity Health's patient populations. She discusses key indicators they look for, how different customizable tools can help or harm the process and how generative AI and emerging technologies offer hope and caution to caregivers looking to better connect with their patients.
Resources
- Read Dircksen's recent article in Health Progress, "New Ways to Measure Impact in Communities"
- Purchase or download CHA's A Guide for Planning and Reporting Community Benefit
- Plan to attend Community Benefit 101, CHA's vital annual program which provides the basics of community benefit programming
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
When it comes to learning about and treating the communities we serve, data is the key. But with so much data out there, how do Catholic health providers begin to sort through it all and make sense of what they find?
Jaime Dircksen, Vice President of Community Health and Well-Being at Trinity Health, joins the show to discuss how she and her team utilize data to best serve Trinity Health’s patient populations. She discusses key indicators they look for, how different customizable tools can help or harm the process and how generative AI and emerging technologies offer hope and caution to caregivers looking to better connect with their patients.
Resources
- Read Dircksen’s recent article in Health Progress, “New Ways to Measure Impact in Communities”
- Purchase or download CHA’s A Guide for Planning and Reporting Community Benefit
- Plan to attend Community Benefit 101, CHA’s vital annual program which provides the basics of community benefit programming
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
Three-dimensional printing technology has been around for decades, but has seen a rapid expansion into commercial, manufacturing and industrial use over the past few years. As it makes its way into health care, what benefits could this relatively new technology offer?
Dr. Kevin Chen, Chief of Pediatric Surgery at Cardinal Glennon and Surgical Director of the 3D Lab at SSM Health, joins the show to discuss the use of 3D printing in his everyday work. Dr. Chen discusses how it can be used as an educational tool, how it affects the patient-caregiver relationship and where the technology can go in the future.
Resource
- Read the Catholic Health World story from July 2024 covering Dr. Chen’s work at the SSM Health 3D Lab
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
Every day, new technologies are making their way into health care settings. Whether it's AI recorders and transcribers or robotic surgical tools, it's a reality that providers and systems must face.
Cyril Philip, Vice President of Digital Ventures at Bon Secours Mercy Health and Digital Ventures Lead at Accrete Health Partners, joins Health Calls to discuss the logistical benefits that introducing these technologies can have for care providers. He offers insight into how workflow can be optimized, how patient interactions can be prioritized and how systems can wisely manage the influx of new data and tech.
Resources
Read Cyril's interview with MedCity News
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
This is an updated version from our previous podcast posting with the full episode - we apologize for the inconvenience
As artificial intelligence is implemented into more and more aspects of health care, it can be difficult to keep up with the varying ethical considerations that arise. If Catholic health care is to thrive in this new era of technology, a robust theological perspective is necessary.
Dan Daly, Executive Director of the Center for Theology and Ethics in Catholic Health, returns to Health Calls to discuss how Catholic health providers can find theological guidance and ethical clarity on technological questions. He discusses Pope Francis’s perspective on AI, why human empathy is crucial, and why efficiency and profit cannot be the ministry’s ultimate goals.
Resources
Visit the Center for Theology and Ethics in Health Care’s new website
Revisit Dan Daly’s previous Health Calls episode on the Center’s mission and values
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
As artificial intelligence is implemented into more and more aspects of health care, it can be difficult to keep up with the varying ethical considerations that arise. If Catholic health care is to thrive in this new era of technology, a robust theological perspective is necessary.
Dan Daly, Executive Director of the Center for Theology and Ethics in Catholic Health, returns to Health Calls to discuss how Catholic health providers can find theological guidance and ethical clarity on technological questions. He discusses Pope Francis’s perspective on AI, why human empathy is crucial, and why efficiency and profit cannot be the ministry’s ultimate goals.
Resources
Visit the Center for Theology and Ethics in Health Care’s new website
Revisit Dan Daly’s previous Health Calls episode on the Center’s mission and values
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
Emerging technologies can help health care providers with a multitude of daily tasks from efficient data processing to helping doctors with bedside conversations. But can it be used in the realm of spiritual care and whole person care?
Theresa Edmonson, Vice President of Spiritual Health for Providence St. Joseph Health, and Antonina Olszewski, Vice President of Spiritual Care for Mission Integration at Ascension, join the show to discuss the latest trends in technology and spiritual care. The two highlight the recent work of CHA’s Spiritual Care Advisory Council, explain why they feel hopeful about the future of AI in spiritual care settings, and reflect on how the foundresses and founders of Catholic health care can inspire us as we move boldly into the future.
Resources
- Access the latest resources from CHA’s celebration of Spiritual/Pastoral Care Week
- Learn more about CHA’s Spiritual Care Advisory Council here
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
As one of the country’s highest producers of carbon emissions, health care has a special responsibility in helping solve the ongoing climate crisis. What opportunities exist for health systems to make immediate improvements to their carbon footprint, and how can they set themselves up for a sustainable future?
Dan Misleh, co-founder of the Catholic Climate Covenant, joins Health Calls to talk about the many partnerships his organization is rallying around. He highlights the non-profit’s Catholic Energies program, lists the financial benefits of making sustainable changes, and encourages Catholic health providers to think about how climate action can be a way to live out their mission.
Resources
Register for CHA’s Feast of St. Francis Webinar, Catholic Healthcare Sows Hope and Action for Creation
Get involved with the organizations mentioned in today’s episode
- Catholic Climate Covenant
- Catholic Energies
- Project Drawdown
- DSIRE: Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube
Learn more about The Catholic Health Association of the United States at www.chausa.org.
When working with patients, it is essential for palliative care providers to have goal-oriented conversations. Without them, caregivers may not efficiently and collaboratively meet the patients' needs and goals for their own care. How can new technologies enhance these conversations, both from a productivity and a human relationship standpoint?
Matthew Gonzales, MD, of the Institute for Human Caring at Providence, joins the conversation to discuss IHC, the center’s successes, and its use of generative artificial intelligence. Gonzales lays out how “EmpathyAI” can enhance caregiver-to-patient interactions and lead to better outcomes for patients in a goal-aligned care model.
Resources
Visit the IHC’s official website to learn more about its work
As the world of technology spins faster and faster, responses can vary to the rapid pace of change and innovation. Fear, excitement, caution – everyone has an idea of how to respond. What does Catholic tradition and faith have to say?
Dr. Joseph Vukov, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Loyola University of Chicago and author of Staying Human in an Era of Artificial Intelligence, joins Health Calls to offer his thoughts on what Catholicism has to offer to this technological moment. Dr. Vukov and Brian discuss specific ways that technology can benefit and disrupt the mission of Catholic health care, all while keeping in mind the truth of what it means to be “human” in a digital age.
Resources
Purchase Dr. Vukov’s book, Staying Human in an Era of Artificial Intelligence
It's easy to feel overwhelmed by technology, especially when change and innovation seem to come so rapidly.
Tom Koulopoulos, founder and chairman of the Delphi Group and author of Reimagining Health Care, joins Health Calls for the premiere of Season Five, "Technology and Humanity." Koulopoulos discusses how he began to research health care as a futurist and why he thinks providers have an immense opportunity to utilize technological innovation to their advantage. He also names potential pitfalls of technological dependence while giving an optimistic outlook on the future of health care technology.
If you enjoyed this episode, you can subscribe to Health Calls on any of your favorite podcast streaming services or on our website, www.chausa.org/podcast. Give us a five-star rating while you're at it… we'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas about what conversations we should have next!
Resources
Visit Tom Koulopoulos's website to purchase Reimagining Health Care or his latest book Gigatrends
Futurist Tom Koulopoulos says crisis brings 'opportunity to reimagine ourselves'
Subscribe to Catholic Health World for the latest stories on tech trends and innovations around the Catholic health ministry
As Catholic health providers navigate an increasingly complex world, the value of clinical ethics cannot be understated. But the world of ethics is complicated itself: How do we give equal time to both clinical care and consultation as well as academic research, peer review and church relationships?
Sr. Mary Haddad, RSM, President and CEO of the Catholic Health Association, and Dan Daly, the founding Executive Director of the brand new Center for Theology and Ethics in Catholic Health, join Health Calls to discuss the new center being launched in Summer 2024. Sr. Mary explains the work that went into The Center’s development, Dan gives his background in ethics and Catholic health care, and both share their vision for how The Center could operate as a go-to resource for Catholic health providers in the near future.
Resources
Read Catholic Health World’s story on Dan Daly’s appointment as The Center’s founding Executive Director
Read Boston College’s release on Dan Daly’s appointment
Join us for a dynamic discussion on the impact of ministry formation on the colleague experience, featuring Darren Henson, Senior Director of Ministry Formation at CHA, Pete Guarisco, VP of Mission at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, and Rafael Flores, Director of Mission Integration at FMOL Northshore Region. Discover FMOL's deep commitment to ministry formation across the system and its profound significance in upholding the legacy of their ministry's founding congregations. Gain insights into the diverse approaches to formation and how they shape colleague experiences, interactions, and the delivery of care. Don't miss this opportunity to explore the transformative power of ministry formation in health care.
Nate Hibner, Ph.D., Senior Director of Ethics and Editor of Health Care Ethics USA (HCEUSA) at CHA and Nicholas Kockler, Ph.D., MS, HEC-C, Vice President of System Ethics Services at Providence St. Joseph Health in Renton, Washington, join Health Calls for an enlightening discussion, exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and Catholic social teaching, the topic of Kockler’s recent HCEUSA article. Discover how Catholic social teaching serves as a moral compass for navigating the complexities of AI, illustrating how AI can transcend being a mere tool and become an extension of our commitment to societal betterment by emphasizing values such as human dignity and the common good. Gain insights into the importance of forging partnerships in Catholic health care to ensure that AI is grounded in real-world needs.
Resource:
Generating Insights from Catholic Social Teaching: Ethical Guidelines for Artificial Intelligence in Health Care Ministries by Nicholas Kockler, Ph.D., MS, HEC-C - HCEUSA Fall 2023
Dennis Gonzales, Ph.D., CHA's Senior Director of Mission Innovation and Integration and Ann Garrido, author of Redeeming Power: Exercising the Gift as God Intended and associate professor of homiletics at Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, join Health Calls to discuss the importance of a leader's positive worldview in effectively navigating change. In this enlightening conversation, they explore the concept of "a spirituality of power," highlighting how managerial courage and visionary leadership appear in daily interactions within an organization. They delve into the transformative power of ongoing reflection and examine how Jesus understood and exercised power. By considering the relational nature of power, Gonzales and Garrido offer insights into how a leader's understanding of power informs their role in promoting human flourishing and working for the common good.
Resources:
Embracing Change: It's Who We Are by Dennis Gonzales, Ph.D. – Health Progress Spring 2024
Redeeming Power: Exercising the Gift as God Intended by Ann M. Garrido
Research is a key component of any health system. So, when it comes to serving rural areas, how do these systems reach patients and populations that may otherwise be left out of the research process?
Valerie Schremp Hahn, Associate Editor of Catholic Health World, and Amy Elliott, PhD, the Avera Research Institute’s Chief Clinical Research Officer, join Health Calls to discuss Hahn’s recent article covering Elliott’s work for Avera’s mobile research lab. Elliott walks through the process of funding the lab, the challenges of operating it and how being on the road brings a wealth of opportunities to rural communities.
Read the Catholic Health World Article "Avera mobile lab brings researchers to rural communities."
One of the most critical aspects of global health practice is creating and fostering good relationships. Having trusted partners around the globe not only allows us to get the proper resources where they need to go, but also facilitates opportunities for mutual learning.
Bruce Compton, CHA's Senior Director of Global Health, and Edmund Nigel Ramsay Crisp, The Lord Crisp KCB, House of Lords, United Kingdom and former Chief Executive of England's National Health Service, join Health Calls to discuss ways we can learn from each other in our shared goal of increasing health equity across the globe. Lord Crisp recounts lessons he learned from his time spent as the Chief Executive of the NHS, as well as the benefits of doing work outside your home country. Compton also adds insight into CHA's new discussion paper, The Future of Health Workforce: Insights and Opportunities to Transform International Health Workforce Recruitment and Capacity.
Resources
Access CHA's new Global Health discussion paper here
Visit CHA's Global Health page for more resources and insights into Global Health policy
As health systems work to eliminate inequities in the communities they serve, are we doing all that we can to establish trustworthiness with those communities? What if there is already a lack of trust between provider and patient?
Betsy Taylor, Editor of Health Progress and Philip Alberti, Ph.D., Sr. Director of Health Equity Research and Policy and Founding Director of the AAMC Center for Health Justice, join the show to discuss Dr. Alberti's recent article in Health Progress. Dr. Alberti describes why he prefers the term 'vital conditions' to 'social determinants' and offers his insights on how and how not to build and maintain trustworthiness with communities.
Resources
Read Dr. Alberti's article in Health Progress, "Building Health Communities Requires Trustworthiness"
Visit CHA's Community Benefit page for up-to-date resources
Treating neurodivergent patients is a complicated process. How do we approach the spectrum of neurodivergence with the care, compassion, and intentionality that it deserves?
Betsy Taylor, editor of Health Progress, Dr. Jeremy Chapman, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist at SSM Health Treffert Studios, Meg Puddy, Director of Behavioral Health at SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac, and Spencer Depies, Technician at SSM Health Treffer Studios, all join Health Calls to discuss Treffert Studios' unique approach to caring for neurodivergent patients. Dr. Chapman discusses the key tenants of the Treffert approach, Meg Puddy recounts her personal experiences with Dr. Treffert, and Spencer Depies gives specific examples of how Treffert Studios offers its patients opportunities to flourish.
Resource
Read the recent Health Progress article on the Treffert Studios
Do you know what a “double-duty caregiver” is? Chances are that if you work in health care, you know a few of them… and you may even be one yourself!
Betsy Taylor, editor of Health Progress, and Debra Kelsey-Davis, co-founder of Nourish for Caregivers and Sagacity.Care, join the show to discuss Kelsey-Davis’s recent article for the fall issue of Health Progress. They discuss how COVID-19 impacted the stress levels of double-duty caregivers, raising awareness and how Catholic health systems can better care and advocate for the double-duty caregivers working in the ministry.
Resources
Read Debra Kelsey-Davis’s article, “Double-Duty Caregiving: Clinicians Caring for Others at Work and Home Need Support” for Health Progress
Visit the Nourish for Caregivers website
World AIDS Day is commemorated every year on Dec. 1. As we approach this year's observance, how do the stories of those who pioneered care for AIDS patients inform our care today?
Paulo Pontemayor, CHA's Senior Director of Government Relations, and Michael O'Loughlin, national correspondent for America magazine and author of Hidden Mercy, join the show to discuss O'Loughlin’s contributions to Hold Out Your Hand, a new resource offered by CHA. O'Loughlin discusses his work telling the stories of Catholic caregivers during the AIDS crisis and offers thoughts on how these stories can inspire Catholic health care providers to care for the marginalized in the future.
Resources
Listen to Plague, a podcast produced by America Media and hosted by Michael O'Loughlin
Read Hidden Mercy, Michael O'Loughlin’s book on stories of Catholics and the AIDS crisis
Read this story about St. Mary's CARE Center from Catholic Health World
Pope Francis recently released his new apostolic exhortation, Laudate Deum, calling for a renewed sense of urgency in combatting climate change. As he cites overwhelming scientific evidence that the world is facing a climate crisis that is caused by human activity, how should Catholic health care best respond to this urgent Apostolic exhortation?
Indu Spugnardi, Director of Advocacy and Resource Development for CHA, and Fr. Daniel Horan, Professor of Philosophy, Religious Studies and Theology at St. Mary's College and Director of the Center for the Study of Spirituality, join the show to discuss the new apostolic exhortation and Fr. Daniel’s coverage of the release for the National Catholic Reporter. Fr. Daniel discusses our relationship to the world around us, the document’s inspiration from St. Francis of Assisi, and having hope for the future.
Resources
Read Laudate Deum at the Vatican's official website
Read Fr. Daniel’s column on Laudate Deum at the National Catholic Reporter
Visit CHA's Environment page for more resources
Sign up for the Laudato Si' Action Platform
As health care systems look to develop healthy partnerships across the globe, environmental impacts must become a factor to consider. How do we partner with organizations in a way that isn’t harmful to communities already experiencing the effects of climate change?
Erica Smith, Executive Director of Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach, and Bruce Compton, Sr. Director of Global Health and International Outreach at CHA, join Health Calls to discuss their recent international visits, developing partnerships that focus on lessening environmental impacts and how to effectively and safely donate material goods.
Resources
Visit Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach website
Check out CHA’s Medical Surplus Recovery resources
Between hurricanes and heat waves, the effects of the climate crisis have never been more evident. How can health care systems make bold commitments that will make a difference in the fight against climate change?
Ali Santore, Chief Advocacy and Social Responsibility Officer at Providence, and Beth Schenk, Chief Environmental Stewardship Officer at Providence, join Health Calls to discuss their system's pledge to be carbon-negative by 2030. They discuss the way the pledge has been integrated throughout leadership structures, the definition of "carbon negative" health care and how their climate impacts can be measured using data.
Patients with chronic illnesses want what any patient seeking health care wants: to improve their health without exhaustive treatment. Unlike the majority, however, these patients face specific barriers to achieving that care.
Betsy Taylor, editor of Health Progress, and Tricia Steele, author of the Sick Person Guide e-book series, join Health Calls to discuss Steele’s recent article for Health Progress. Steele discusses her experiences as a patient advocate and ways that health care delivery isn’t equipped to meet specific patients’ needs and proposes steps that health systems can take to better care for those with chronic illnesses.
"What Patients With Chronic Illness Want Providers to Know"
(Health Progress, Summer 2023)
Studies suggest that whole-person health care isn't limited to physical health but also includes mental and spiritual well-being. So why is spiritual care more difficult to find coverage for?
Lisa Eisenhauer, Editor of Catholic Health World, joins the show to discuss an article written for the paper by Dennis Heaphy, Health Justice Advocate and Researcher at the Massachusetts Disability Policy Consortium, and Sasha Shenk, Sr. Research Technician at Tufts University. Heaphy and Shenk talk about their article and the benefits of offering Medicaid for spiritual care, and Teresa Anderson, Mission Leader at Trinity Health PACE and Trinity Health at Home, describes how Trinity Health tries to implement extended coverage into their work.
The Ethical and Religious Directives have been a popular topic of conversation in health care circles for the past year. But what if we stopped viewing them simply as a list of do's and dont's, but as a living document articulating the mission and identity of Catholic health care?
Betsy Taylor, editor of Health Progress, and Fr. Myles Sheehan, director of the Edmund D. Pellegrino Center for Clinical Bioethics and the David Lauler chair of Catholic Health Care Ethics at Georgetown University Medical Center, join the show to discuss the ongoing conversation around the ERDs and how they can fortify the identity of Catholic health care. Fr. Sheehan also speaks directly to several specific parts of the ERDs, giving a comprehensive view of the directives and guiding principles beneath them.
The road to health equity is long, and many hospitals and healthcare facilities are on different parts of the journey. How do we gauge best practices and strategies for different parties?
Several guests join this episode of Health Calls to discuss ongoing efforts to help hospitals across the United States: Kathy Curran, Senior Director of Public Policy for the Catholic Health Association; Joy Lewis, Senior Vice President for Health Equity Strategies for the American Hospital Association, and Executive Director of the Institute for Diversity and Health Equity; and Leon Caldwell, Senior Director of Health Equity Strategies at the American Hospital Association. They discuss the history of the AHA’s efforts and how the two associations have collaborated in the work of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.
Much of the health care process happens virtually these days. In the Catholic health ministry, how does spiritual care play into this equation?
In the first episode of Health Calls season four, Jill Fisk, CHA's Director of Mission Services, and Justin Martin, a board-certified chaplain at Mercy St. Louis, join the show to discuss spiritual care in a virtual age. They discuss Mercy COVID Care @ Home, a program which recently won CHA’s Achievement Citation award, as well as the possibility of extending proactive chaplaincy services to different areas of care.
Resources
Mercy COVID Care @ Home: CHA’s 2023 Achievement Citation Video
"Mercy chaplains tap technology to connect with COVID Care @ Home patients" (Catholic Health World article)
Season Four of Health Calls, the podcast of the Catholic Health Association, kicks off on June 27! Subscribe now!
When we think of “long term care,” we may bring assumptions to the table about how patients are cared for or act. What happens when the care we provide challenges those assumptions?
Julie Minda, Associate Editor of Catholic Health World, joins the show to discuss her recent article regarding Montessori principles used in memory care. Michelle Feller, Assistant Administrator at Ferncliff Nursing Home, and Cameron Camp, Co-Founder of the Center for Applied Research in Dementia, also join to discuss these methods, how they benefit long term care patients, and the process of implementing Montessori principles in existing facilities.
Resources
- Read Julie Minda’s article in Catholic Health World: “Ministry memory care facilities apply Montessori principles to increase resident engagement”
- Visit the Center for Applied Research in Dementia’s website
As the war in Ukraine continues well over a year after Russia’s invasion, humanitarian efforts continue in an effort to meet the growing needs of the Ukrainian people.
Bruce Compton, CHA’s Senior Director of Global Health, joins the show after his recent visit to Ukraine with partners from the International Catholic Migration Commission. In the conversation, Bruce shares the impact the trip had on him along with details about the Catholic church’s work and how the people of Ukraine are displaying resilience in the face of war.”
The work of equity in health care is never finished. After the initial buy-in and foundational changes, how do health systems continue to work toward equity for communities, patients and colleagues?
Kathy Curran, CHA Sr. Director of Public Policy, and Ralph McCloud, Director of Catholic Campaign for Human Development, join the show to discuss Catholic health care's continued journey toward health equity. They discuss the first two years of CHA's We Are Called initiative, the crucial role of Catholic social teaching, and how polarization and other challenges can be faced head-on.
Resources
CHA's A Guide for Planning & Reporting Community Benefit, revised in 2022 to incorporate equity and social determinants of health as community benefit priorities
CHA's We Are Called web page
"Health Equity - A Call To Seek and Tell the 'True Truth' of Injustice" (Health Progress, Spring 2023)
It can be difficult to understand what's happening in Congress, especially in the lawmaking process – what policies are passing, what buzzwords actually mean and how does it affect the American people?
Lisa Smith, CHA's Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy, and Paulo Pontemayor, CHA's Sr. Director of Government Relations, review the past year of health care advocacy and discuss some of the highlights of a busy year. They specifically address the much-discussed "Omnibus" bill that was passed in the final weeks of 2022, as well as policies relating to maternal health, environmental sustainability and health equity, among others.
With the 2022 midterm elections behind us, a reshaped Congress represents a new landscape and new challenges for health care advocacy.
Lisa Smith, CHA's Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy, and Lucas Swanepoel, CHA's Sr. Director of Government Relations, join the show to discuss the new Congress and how the next two years could be challenging when passing policies. They also address CHA’s new Advocacy Agenda and some of the top priorities for Catholic health care over the next two years.
Resources
CHA's Advocacy Agenda for the 118th Congress
Increased mindfulness is vital to our well-being, but it requires a significant time commitment. For those with full schedules, how do we begin to build these practices into our busy lives?
In a Health Calls special, Diarmuid Rooney, CHA's Interim Vice President of Sponsorship and Mission Services, and Jill Fisk, CHA's Director of Mission Services, discuss the benefits and importance of incorporating mindfulness exercises into our every day lives. They suggest a few easy ways to get started before Diarmuid leads listeners in a simple exercise that will refresh your spirit.
Resources
A Fresh Approach to Well-being in Health Care: A Health Calls Special Episode
Visit CHA's ReNew Year page to explore a new foundational approach to Well-being in Catholic Health Care.
Utilize meditative resources from CHA such as our "Be Still" and "Peace in Anxiety" videos.
Read Sarah Reddin's recent Health Progress article, "Flourishing Through Formation: Catholic Identity Is Reinforced With Thoughtful Approaches"
Contemplative Outreach, a spiritual network committed to living the contemplative dimension of the Gospel
Read Margaret J. Wheatley's article, "Can We Reclaim Time to Think?" (Shambala Sun, Sept. 2001)
Maintaining our own well-being can be a challenge in a world where we’re constantly bombarded with new ideas, challenges, and tasks. When everything feels so urgent, how do we re-orient our minds and take the time to slow down?
In a Health Calls special, Diarmuid Rooney, CHA’s Interim Vice President of Sponsorship and Mission Services, and Jill Fisk, CHA’s Director of Mission Services, host an intentional, meditative conversation on well-being and its roots in Catholic health ministry. They discuss the Christian history of meditative practice as well as the benefits of mindfulness and meditation before Diarmuid leads listeners in a simple exercise that will refresh your spirit.
Resources
Visit CHA’s ReNew Year page to explore a new foundational approach to Well-being in Catholic Health Care.
Utilize meditative resources from CHA such as our "Be Still" and "Peace in Anxiety" videos.
In 2022, the Catholic Health Association’s Board of Directors called for a new vision statement for the organization and Catholic health care as a whole, a significant step in the organization’s 108-year history.
Sr. Mary Haddad, President and CEO of CHA, and Laura Kaiser, FACHE, President and CEO of SSM Health and Chairperson of the CHA Board, join the show to discuss the motivation behind the visioning process, how they foresee alignment with CHA’s core values and mission and how the new vision statement could be used by CHA and its members in the future.
As 2023 begins, organizations around the world are taking stock of what drives them: their mission, vision and values. In Catholic Health Care, a commitment to the ministry is paramount and should be part of such evaluations.
Dennis Gonzales, Ph.D., CHA's Sr. Director of Mission Innovation and Integration, and Paul Wojda, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Theology at the University of St. Thomas, join the show to discuss CHA's re-imagined Ministry Identity Assessment. They describe the importance of the assessment in continuing Jesus' healing ministry as well as changes that have been made to help health systems self-assess in a digital age.
Restoring the health of an entire community can feel like an impossible task. But what if the answer is in first “revillagizing” the neighborhoods of that community?
Editor of Health Progress Betsy Taylor joins the show to discuss a recent article authored by Nadine Nadal, Director of Community Health Development at CHRISTUS Health. Nadal and Mack McCarter, Founder and Coordinator of Community Renewal International, also join the conversation to discuss the community mentioned in Nadal’s article as well as best practices for restoring and collaborating with communities which have long been the recipients of inequitable care.
Resources
- Health Progress article: Friendship Houses, New Connections: CHRISTUS Health and Community Partners Work to Strengthen Neighborhoods
- Community Renewal International website
Equity in the work force is a goal many institutions strive to accomplish, but is it possible without also addressing equity at the decision-making level? How does prioritizing board-level equity change the trajectory of an organization?
Julie Trocchio, CHA’s Senior Director of Community Benefit and Continuing Care, and Dora Barilla, Director and Co-Founder of HC2 Strategies, join the show to discuss the following: Barilla’s work with the University of Providence, including the Community Health Investment Certificate program; prioritizing equity at the same level as patient safety; and how community health is impacted by diverse workforces.
Resources
“Boards Must Address Equity Competencies” (American Hospital Association)
The Community Health Investment Certificate Program (University of Providence)
CHA’s Community Benefit Website
The COVID-19 pandemic cast a spotlight on labor practices in the United States, leading to a “great reckoning” in 2022. How does Catholic health care fit into the larger conversation about labor?
Editor of Health Progress Betsy Taylor joins the show to discuss a recent article co-authored by Daniel Graff, director of the Higgins Labor Program at the University of Notre Dame, and Kelli Reagan, a consultant at the Francesco Collaborative. Graff and Reagan also join the conversation to discuss their work in the labor sector and how Catholic health care can serve as a trendsetter when it comes to just labor practices.
Resource
Health Progress article: Just Wages for the Workforce: Why Health Care Should Lead the Way
In times of financial hardship, it can be challenging to prioritize investments in projects make sweeping commitments to that address matters such as the climate crisis. But with health impacts related to environmental degradation becoming an increasing part of our daily lives, such investments have never been more important.
Indu Spugnardi, CHA Director of Advocacy and Resource Development, and Gary Cohen, President of Health Care Without Harm, join the podcast to discuss the urgent need to prioritize environmental stewardship in health care work. They address financial incentives to advance environmental sustainability, areas where systems can make the most impactful changes, and the Laudato Si' Action Platform, a Vatican-led initiative to inspire radical change in the fight against climate change.
Resources
- CHA’s Environment page
- Laudato Si’: On Care for our Common Home (Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical)
- Watch “The Letter” a documentary commissioned from The Vatican about Laudato Si’ and the ecological crisis facing our planet
- Health Care Without Harm’s Official Website
- Visit COP27’s official website to follow updates from the 2022 United Nations Climate Conference
- How Health Care Can Lead the Way on Renewable Energy (Health Progress article authored by Gary Cohen)
- Combating Global Warming: Healthy Climate, Healthy People (Health Progress article authored by Gary Cohen)
- Thinking Green on Behalf of Patients and Workers (Health Progress article authored by Gary Cohen)
One of the first steps of engaging in meaningful Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work involves examining our own history of racial inequity. How have our organizations contributed to structural racism, and how can we work to be more accountable for the past?
Professors M. Therese Lysaught and Sheri Bartlett Browne join Brian Reardon and CHA’s Editor of Health Progress Betsy Taylor to discuss their Spring 2022 article entitled, “Writing Your System’s Racial Autobiography.” Lysaught and Browne give insight into how their work together started and how they’ve seen health systems respond to doing the hard work of visiting the past.
Resources
“Writing Your System’s Racial Autobiography” article from the Spring 2022 edition of Health Progress
We Are Called website
CHA’s Diversity and Disparities web page
Communion with the saints is a specific theological doctrine that can feel strange to non-Catholics working in Catholic health care. But is there more to this doctrine than simply praying to spiritual heroes? Can we view the saints as people from whom we can look to for inspiration and reflection?
CHA’s Mission Project Coordinator Karla Keppel and Fr. John Fontana, OSM, discuss communion with the saints as a way of drawing inspiration from imperfect people who have gone before us, highlighting the life of St. Peregrine Laziosi as one specific example. They also discuss “Inspired By the Saints: Contemplations for the Catholic Health Ministry,” a new series of reflections offered by CHA.
Producer’s Note: Artist Lydia Wood is a Nurse Case Manager rather than a Nurse Manager, as described in the episode.
Artificial Intelligence is changing the world with every passing day, especially in the health care industry. But are we correct to trust that machine learning can effectively do the work needed and will A.I. prevent harm or perpetuate it?
CHA Senior Director of Public Policy Kathy Curran and Michael Miller, System Vice President of Mission and Ethics at SSM Health, discuss ethical concerns that arise from AI use, including complex power dynamics, data privacy and how computers can contribute to systemic racism and inequity.
For more than 4 out of 10 new moms in the United States, postpartum care is covered by Medicaid. But when coverage ends after 60 days, these mothers are left vulnerable to some of the most dangerous complications of childbirth.
CHA Director of Government Relations Paulo Pontemayor and Kinda Serafi, J.D., Partner at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, discuss tax-payer benefits to closing the gap, advocating for expansion and the impact communities would see if postpartum coverage was permanently extended.
Resources
CHA’s “Medcaid Makes it Possible” Webpage
CHA’s Maternal Health Webpage
Medicaid is an integral part of our health care system, covering millions of men, women and children who would otherwise be uninsured. Yet millions of these people may soon be in danger of losing their coverage.
CHA Director of Government Relations Paulo Pontemayor and Corey Surber, St. Alphonsus’ Director of State Advocacy, relay why Medicaid coverage is essential to Catholic values, define “Medicaid Redetermination,” and explain how systems can advocate for their patients so that they don’t lose coverage.
Resources
CHA’s “Medcaid Makes it Possible” Webpage
CHA Webinar on Medcaid Redetermination (recorded in May 2022)
Official Medicaid and CHIP Renewal Page
Following their conversation with Msgr. Robert Vitillo of the International Catholic Migration Commission, Brian and CHA’s Sr. Director of Global Health Bruce Compton continue their conversation about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Christian Kostko, a consultant with the Catholic Response for Ukraine, joins the program from Ukraine and updates us on the morale of the Ukrainian people. Kostko also highlights some of the biggest needs facing war-torn communities and the importance of working with well-connected international partners when looking to donate material goods.
Resources
CHA’s Ukraine Resources Page
We’re now six months into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and while the military operations continue in full force, it feels as if global interest may be waning. What’s happening in Ukraine at the end of summer 2022, and what is the global church doing in response?
In the first conversation of a two-part episode, CHA’s Sr. Director of Global Health Bruce Compton and Msgr. Robert Vitillo, Secretary General of the International Catholic Migration Commission, talk about the Catholic Migration Commission’s role in the conflict, unique challenges facing Ukrainian migrants and how interfaith communities are rallying together to address the humanitarian issues at hand.
Resources
CHA’s Ukraine Resources Page
ICMC’s Ukraine Response Page
Formation has been called the heartbeat of Catholic health care and is vital to the success of the ministry’s future. In a world where in-person access becomes increasingly complicated, how can systems best provide formation for their associates?
In the inaugural episode of Health Calls Diarmuid Rooney, CHA’s Sr. Director of Ministry Formation, and Mary Anne Sladich-Lantz, Senior Vice President of Ministry Leadership Formation for Providence St. Joseph, discuss the hunger for formation in Catholic health care, the importance of making sure there are formators for the next generation and ways that formation leaders can adapt to a more virtual world.
Resources
CHA’s Ministry Formation Resources Page
Health Progress article, "Providence Cultivates Leaders for Formation Throughout Organization: Building on Legacy So Mission Can Flourish"
Virtual care is here to stay. But what exactly is it? In this episode, Sandy Dieleman, CEO of Avera@Home and Dr. Carter Fenton, medical director of Mercy’s vAcute, discuss how the pandemic helped hardwire telehealth as a viable and important element in delivering health care into the homes of patients and the important role it plays in helping care for those suffering from chronic conditions.
Related Health Progress article
Your Care Provider Can See You Now: Pandemic Prompts New Approaches in Telehealth
The importance of a strong global health network has become abundantly clear during COVID-19. As Catholic health care in the United States continues to support global health initiatives during pandemics, wars and natural disasters, how relief efforts are organized and implemented requires intentional planning and coordination. Mary Beth Powers, President and CEO of CMMB joins Bruce Compton, CHA’s senior director, Global Health, to discuss how U.S. Catholic health care can help advance the delivery of health care internationally.
For many, including some health care professionals, palliative care is often equated with hospice care despite differences in how they apply to patients. In this episode Dr. Glen Komatsu, regional chief medical officer of Hospice & Palliative Care for Providence St. Joseph Health, Southern California, and Denise Hess, CHA’s director of Supportive Care, explain the benefits of palliative care and discuss how patients and their loved ones can talk to their physicians and caregivers about receiving care that’s designed to support the treatment of symptoms and side effects of serious disease and improve overall quality of life.
CHA Palliative Care resource page
This episode looks at the importance of environmental justice from both a domestic and global perspective. Guests Laura Anderko of Villanova University, and Susan Barnett of Faiths for Safe Water, provide fresh insights into the articles they each wrote for the 2021 Fall Issue of Health Progress. The topic of environmental justice also connects to CHA’s Confronting Racism by Achieving Health Equity Initiative.
Health Progress Articles:
- Understanding and Addressing Environmental Injustice and Health
- Water, Sanitation and Hygiene: Vatican, Catholic Health Care Take Leadership Roles in 'WASH' Work
CHA is participating in a racial equity storytelling project that focuses on families dealing with the pandemic who live in the 63106 zip code of St. Louis. Dick Weiss, the project’s co-founder, joins resident Kim Daniel who discusses the challenges she and her neighbors face in their community. Kim also provides her personal perspective on why she is hesitant to accept the COVID-19 vaccine.
Related Health Progress articles:
- Two Zip Codes, A World Apart
- The COVID Conundrum
Before Ferguson Beyond Ferguson
The number of uninsured children in the U.S. has risen significantly in the past few years. In this episode, Professor Joan Alker from Georgetown University and Dr. Heidi Sallee from SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital discuss the reasons for this trend, the policy implications, and what Catholic health care can do to help increase coverage for kids.
Catholic health care works to reverse worrisome dip in children's health insurance coverage
Medicaid Makes It Possible
Catholic Social Teaching is at the very core of Catholic health care. But how is it applied to the the business side of the ministry, especially when tough decisions are being made? Fr. Michael Rozier, PhD, an assistant professor of health management and policy at St. Louis University, and Fr. Joseph Driscoll, DMin, director of ministry formation and organizational spirituality at Redeemer Health, reflect on this question and offer examples how these principles are put into practice among Catholic health leaders.
Related Health Progress articles
The Pandemic's Hidden Heroes
A Modern-Day Parable for the Pandemic
Whether it's wildfires, floods, hurricanes or a global pandemic, we are constantly reminded about the reality of climate change and the challenges we face to protect the environment. What role does Catholic health care play in shaping policy, promoting positive change and mitigating harm to God’s creation? Lois Sechrist, environmental stewardship manager at Ascension, and Rachelle Reyes Wenger, system VP of public policy and advocacy engagement for CommonSpirit, discuss what Catholic care is doing, and what more needs to be done, in caring for creation.
Caring for Creation – May-June 2016
Many Catholic nursing homes and long-term care facilities are closing, being sold, or being reconfigured in an effort to keep them viable. Howard Gleckman, senior fellow at The Urban Institute, and Susan McDonough, the Catholic Eldercare and Acute Care specialist for Ziegler Investment Banking, discuss the various challenges these facilities face and how to pursue policy changes that improve the care our elders need.
Health Progress Winter 2021 Issue - "Aging and Long-Term Care"
Amidst the public discourse about COVID-19 vaccines are questions and concerns pertaining to moral implications and religious objections. Fr. Tom Nairn, PhD, a trained ethicist and author of several books on bioethics, joins Dr. Reginald Eadie, president and CEO at Trinity Health of New England, in countering some of the myths and clarifying some of the misinformation that has arisen.
CHA’s Love Thy Neighbor campaign
The International Year of the Nurse and Midwife coincided with the “Year of COVID-19.” In this episode, we hear from two authors who contributed articles for the Fall 2020 Nurses Leading the Way issue of Health Progress. Sr. Rosemary Donley, a nursing professor at Duquesne University, discusses how the pandemic can reshape the future of nursing education, while Kathy Sanford, executive senior VP and chief nursing officer for CommonSpirit Health, talks about how it has the underscored the importance of nurse leaders.
Related Health Progress Articles
Reshaping the Future of Nursing Education
Nurses in Executive Practice: A Specialty for Today and Tomorrow
Using CHA’s reflection and meditative videos, this podcast leads the listener through almost an hour of self-care exercises.
Guests Ruth Katz from Leading Age, a nonprofit focused on education, advocacy and applied research for older adults, and Justin Hinker, the administrator of Avera Prince of Peace Retirement Community in Sioux Falls, S.D., share their perspectives on how the pandemic has created new challenges and opportunities for those who care for older persons.
Related Health Progress articles
- Creating a Good Country to Grow Old In
- The Pandemic and Lessons to Share in Long-Term Care
A priest and a law professor come together for a robust discussion on how the common good can be better understood in the context of public policy, particularly health care policy. Fr. Charles Bouchard, CHA's senior director, theology and sponsorship, joins Prof. Sam Halabi, the Manley Hudson professor of Law at the University of Missouri – Columbia, to share insights from their recent Health Progress articles.
- Advocacy, Prophecy and the Common Good
- ACA Insurance Expansion Shows Signs of Reducing Racial Disparities
The role of hospital chaplain has been evolving, and COVID-19 has created new challenges and opportunities for how chaplains provide spiritual care and emotional support for patients, their loved ones, and fellow caregivers. Guests Chelsea Leitcher, a chaplain who served with Dignity Health, and Jane Levdansky, a chaplain with SSM Health, share their experiences and insights of how their ministry has changed during the pandemic.
Related Health Progress articles:
Post-Intensive Care Syndrome and the Role of Chaplains
Chaplains Minister Amidst Changes Brought by Pandemic
The pandemic is requiring clinicians to make major adjustments in how they provide care. Laura McKinnis, who serves as a nurse practitioner in emergency medicine in the Milwaukee area, shares her experience in caring for COVID-19 patients, her family and herself. Cindy Rosburg, chief human resources officer at Mercy in St. Louis, provides an overview of changes their system has made to care for their caregivers during the crisis.
Health Progress article: Gazing Through the Mask
www.medicineasministry.com
Would you be willing to sacrifice some personal privacy so that you or a loved one could live a longer, healthier life? That’s the main question explored in this episode featuring Alan Pitt, MD, a professor of neuroradiology at the Barrow Neurological Institute (part of CommonSpirit Health). Dr. Pitt is joined by CHA Director of Ethics Nathaniel Blanton Hibner, PhD for a discussion about the benefits, risks and ethical and practical considerations around the use of personal data in delivering health care.
Health Progress article
Data in Health Care: Would You Share Information to Gain Better Care?
Catholic health care has an international presence and CHA members in the U.S. support this global ministry through donations of surplus medical supplies and equipment and organizing and staffing medical missions. In this episode, we discuss how the Catholic church in Tanzania and Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach in Springfield, IL are working together to improve health in that country. CHA’s Brian Reardon and Bruce Compton talk with Fr. Charles Kittima, secretary general of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Tanzania, and Georgia Winson, executive director of Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach.
Links:
Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach
CHA Global Health resources
Stable housing and reliable transportation have a direct link to the health status of individuals. In this episode, Jane Graf, President and CEO, Mercy Housing, and Will Snyder, Sr. VP, Chief Advocacy Officer, AMITA Health, discuss how Catholic health care is collaborating with other organizations to ensure the housing and transportation needs of their patients are met.
As the laity are increasingly called to serve as leaders and sponsors in Catholic health care, it is imperative that they have the education, ministry formation and spiritual practices needed for these roles. Sister Maureen McGuire, DC, of Ascension, Patrick McCruden of SSM Health, and Diarmuid Rooney of CHA discuss the development of lay leaders who will carry the ministry’s torch forward.
RESOURCES FOR THIS EPISODE
- Ministry Formation Overview webpage
Health Progress articles:
- Ministry Identity and the Work of Mission Integration
- Formation – A Spiritual Antidote to the Tyranny of the Urgent
- Formation Revitalizes Health Care Ministry
- 100th Anniversary – Sponsors are Called to be Prophets and Reformers
The CDC reports more than 45,000 Americans died from suicide in 2016. How health care organizations and policy makers can better address this epidemic is the focus of this discussion with Lisa Picker, the mother of a suicide victim and an advocate for better mental health care, and Benjamin F. Miller, chief strategy officer of the Well Being Trust.
- CHA Suicide Prevention resources
-
Health Progress article, "His Name was Liam"
-
Live performance of "Winter" by Liam Picker and Gohei Nishikawa
Mark Kuczewski, PhD, professor of medical ethics at the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, and Fr. Corey Brost, director of Viator House of Hospitality, discuss the many challenges facing undocumented youth and share their insights on what Catholic health care can do to support them.
Related Health Progress articles:
- Limbo Really Exists: Undocumented Youth at Risk
- Asylum Seekers Find Safe Haven
Links mentioned in episode:
- Loyola Sanctuary Doctor resource page
- Viator House of Hospitality
Brian and Mary Ann review the 2019 CHA Assembly. Highlights include a panel discussion on the clergy abuse scandal, a bi-partisan discussion about Medicare for All, comments from CHA’s incoming and outgoing chairpersons, remarks by the award recipients and a final thank you from Sr. Carol Keehan, DC.
From natural elements and religious art, to meaningful encounters with staff, the environment where health care services are provided plays an vital role in the healing process. In this episode Philip Boyle, senior vice president, mission and ethics, Trinity Health, and Zeni Fox, a member of the Ascension Sponsor and professor emerita, Seton Hall University, share their insights and experiences in helping create healing spaces.
This podcast is a recording of an April 29 teleconference with CHA members following the announcement of Sr. Mary Haddad, RSM, as the new president and CEO of CHA. During the first part of the teleconference, Sr. Mary talks about her background and then joins Sr. Carol Keehan, DC, CHA’s current president and CEO, to discuss the challenges and opportunities ahead for Catholic health care and the transition in leadership.
Genetic engineering holds the promise of curing and preventing disease. But as this technology advances and is more widely adopted, there are a variety of moral and ethical issues to consider. In this episode, Dr. Paul Scherz, PhD, from The Catholic University of America, and Fr. Kevin FitzGerald, SJ, PhD, from Creighton University, discuss the ethics of biomedical research and medical genomics.
Every human needs food and water to live. But are these basic elements for life equitably available and is Catholic health care giving them adequate attention and reverence? To discuss those and other questions, we brought together three authors who contributed to the March-April 2019 issue of Health Progress: Francine Blinten, a clinical nutritionist with the Connecticut Mental Health Center, Jon Magnuson, director of Cedar Tree Institute, and Camille Grippon, system director, global ministries, Bon Secours Mercy Health.
CHA has launched the “Medicaid Makes It Possible” campaign to help ensure Medicaid remains viable. A panel of experts discuss why Medicaid is vital to our nation’s health care delivery system and some of the policy challenges facing the program. Guests include Cindy Mann, former deputy administrator and director of the Center for Medicaid and CHIP at CMS, currently a partner with the Manatt Health Team; Joan Alker, Executive Director, Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University; Angela Botticella, chief of staff, CHA; and Rhonda Medows, MD, President, Population Health Management at Providence St. Joseph Health. Learn more at www.chausa.org/medicaid
The Coalition of Catholic Organizations Against Human Trafficking consists of national and international agencies working to eliminate the scourge of human trafficking. Two coalition members - Anne Victory, HM, RN, MSN, Director of Education Collaborative to End Human Trafficking, and Hilary Chester, PhD, Associate Director for Anti-Trafficking Programs, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops - discuss what is being done to identify and help victims. For a list of resources and groups addressing human trafficking visit: CHA's Human Trafficking website
CHA President and CEO Sr. Carol Keehan, DC, talks about challenges to the ACA and Medicaid, education around palliative care, the clergy sex abuse scandal and the process for selecting her successor.
Mike Rodgers and Lisa Smith from the CHA Advocacy team explain how the 2018 midterm elections may impact health care policy in 2019. Topics discussed include protecting the ACA, expanding Medicaid, and an overview of legislation on palliative care, drug discount pricing, and programs for the elderly.
Mental health issues facing health care professionals, especially physicians, is getting more attention recently and was a major topic at CHA’s Physician Leader Forum in October, 2018. One of the speakers at the forum was Dr. Robert Wicks, an author and psychologist who teaches at Loyola University Maryland and writes and lectures extensively about the prevention of secondary stress. Dr. Wicks shares his insights on how those who care for others need to also care for themselves.
What is palliative and hospice care and what does Catholic social teaching say about it? What conversations do clinicians need to have with their patients and each other about end of life issues? These and other questions are discussed by a panel of experts from CHA, the Archdiocese of Boston, Washington University, Mercy and St. Louis University.
This episode looks at how Catholic health care collaborates with others to extend care in the community. Coletta Barrett, Vice-President of Mission, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, Chair of the Board, Mayor's Healthy City Initiative in Baton Rouge, LA, and Julie Trochio, Senior Director, Community Benefit and Continuing Care for CHA are the featured guests.
Highlights from a two-day conference on how Catholic health care can best respond to domestic and international disasters is the focus of this episode. Guests include Lance Mendiola from CHRISTUS Health, Karen Reich from Bon Secours, Dr. Alex Garza from SSM Health, and Kim Burgo from Catholic Charities USA. The episode was taped on-site at CHRISTUS Health in Irving Texas. Note: CHA’s publication “Disaster Response: Considerations for Catholic Health Care” can be ordered and downloaded at www.chausa.org/disaster.
This episode features an interview with David Addiss, MD, MPH, the director of the Focus Area for Compassion and Ethics at the Task Force for Global Health, and adjunct professor at Emory and Notre Dame. Dr. Addiss provides additional insight into his recent Health Progress article about how global health must draw on compassion, solidarity and justice. Bruce Compton, Senior Director of International Outreach for CHA, joins the discussion on how Catholic health care can best work to alleviate suffering in the U.S. and around the world.
Staff from CHA discuss their favorite moments from Assembly 2018 in San Diego. Audio highlights from Assembly speakers Sr. Mary Jean Ryan, Martin Sheen, Jon Meacham and Steve Pemberton are featured. Topics include the impact each individual can have on the lives of others, the state of political discourse in the U.S., immigration, the value of empathy, leadership traits, and CHA’s “Medicaid Makes It Possible” campaign.
The first episode of "Catholic Health USA," focuses on the opioid epidemic and features two segments with Dr. Fred Rottnek, a professor and director of community medicine at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Host Brian Reardon, CHA's vice president of communications and marketing, is joined by Mary Ann Steiner, the editor of Health Progress, and Clay O’Dell, the director of CHA member advocacy, in talking with Dr. Rottnek. In the third segment, Sr. Carol Keehan, DC, CHA's president and chief executive officer, and Dr. Rod Hochman, president and chief executive of Providence St. Joseph Health and chair of CHA's Board of Trustees, discuss health care disrupters.