In the second installment of our special maternal health series, we continue the conversation with Dr. Erin Graham, Deputy Executive Director at the National Nurse-Led Care Consortium. Erin shares how her public health background and deep ties to community nursing helped shape a doula training initiative that empowers former Nurse-Family Partnership clients to become doulas.

We discuss how client feedback and nurse insight sparked a two-part approach: offering doula services and training former clients to provide culturally responsive care. Erin highlights the value of partnerships, the importance of workforce diversity, and how community-based efforts like this can improve maternal health outcomes and expand career opportunities.

In this first installment of our special maternal health series, we sit down with Miyah Davis, a mother, wife, and the heart behind Anori’s Village, her private doula practice where she treats every client like family, creates warm, comforting spaces, and always brings a little laughter along the way.

Miyah shares her inspiring path from being a client with the Philadelphia Nurse-Family Partnership to becoming a doula herself. She reflects on how her own pregnancy and birth experiences, including the support she received during times of housing instability, influenced her decision to help other parents feel heard and prepared.

Hear how she balances her passion for birth work with full-time employment, motherhood, and the desire to be a consistent, empowering presence for her clients. She also discusses the importance of building trust, offering culturally responsive care, and expanding access to resources like lactation and birthing classes that help families thrive.

In this compelling episode of At the Core of Care, we dive deep into the evolving landscape of rural healthcare with Lisa Davis, director of the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health. From Pennsylvania’s shifting definition of “rural” to the urgent realities of hospital closures, provider shortages, and broadband gaps, Lisa sheds light on the unique challenges and promising innovations reshaping care in rural communities. Listeners will learn how community health workers, telehealth, and local investment transform access, while Medicaid policies and healthcare consolidation continue to shape the future. Lisa reminds us that rural health isn’t just a policy issue—it’s the backbone of our food, economy, and daily lives.

In this episode of At the Core of Care, Dr. Pheobe Askie, MD, MPH, the new medical director at PHMC Health, shares her journey from nursing to medicine and her deep commitment to community-based primary care. With experience in both family and lifestyle medicine, Dr. Askie discusses how her nursing background continues to shape her relational approach to care. She also unpacks the evolving role of community health centers, the importance of continuity in primary care, and the potential impact of Medicaid policy changes on patient access and health outcomes.

Dr. Pheobe Askie is a family and lifestyle medicine physician and the new medical director at PHMC Health, with a background in nursing and a focus on community-based care.

In this episode of At the Core of Care, we speak with Chanel Hart, Director of Nursing for PHMC Health in Philadelphia, about the evolving role of nurses in primary care. Chanel shares her unconventional path into nursing, her frontline experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how nurses are leading impactful initiatives in community health.

She highlights a successful blood pressure management program supported by the American Heart Association, where nurses guide patients through self-monitoring and education. By building trust and improving engagement, these nurse-led visits have reduced no-show rates and enhanced outcomes.

The conversation also explores how nurses are essential in transitions of care after hospital discharge—managing follow-ups, preventing readmissions, and advocating for reimbursement models that fully reflect the value of nursing in ambulatory care.

This episode marks the second part of our two-part series on Reimaging the Nursing Workforce: Opportunities for Growth in PA. In this episode, we continue our conversation with Deborah Gardiner, diving deeper into the workings of the Nurse Residency Collaborative.

Deb, a true expert in the field, explains how these residency programs are structured to support and guide new nurses through their early career stages. As the co-chair of the Workforce Coalition's Nurse Residency Collaborative and the Nurse Residency Coordinator at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, she offers valuable insights drawn from her extensive experience.

In addition to her role with nurse residencies, Deb also serves as a Nursing Professional Development Specialist and Nurse Leader for the hospital's RISE program, which helps healthcare workers navigate the emotional toll of traumatic patient care experiences. Tune in for more on how these critical programs are shaping the future of nursing and supporting the well-being of healthcare professionals.

We’re thrilled to announce a major milestone for our organization—our brand refresh! Formerly known as the Pennsylvania Action Coalition, we are now the Pennsylvania Nursing Workforce Coalition, a new name that reflects our mission to place Pennsylvania’s nursing workforce at the forefront of healthcare.

In this episode, we dive into our vision and strategic priorities as we embark on a five-year plan to advocate, support, and advance a nursing workforce that drives a healthier Pennsylvania. Our approach includes three core initiatives: bolstering nursing workforce pathways, reimagining public policy through data, and embracing diversity with equitable solutions.

We’ll be joined by Daniel Hudson, Vice President and Associate Chief Nurse Executive for Nursing Operations and Administration at Jefferson Health in Philadelphia. Daniel is one of our newest advisory board members, and he brings invaluable expertise in nursing workforce optimization, care delivery, and staff engagement. We’ll be discussing the future of nursing, healthcare trends, and how Daniel’s extensive experience can help us move closer to our goals.

In this episode, Donna Bailey, CEO, guides us through the pivotal role of Community Behavioral Health (CBH). CBH funds crucial mental health treatment for Medicaid recipients in Philadelphia, ensuring accessibility and support. We focus on CBH's efforts in supporting pregnant or parenting individuals, including collaborations with the Joseph J Peters Institute (JJPI).

We explore NNCC's successful collaboration with JJPI, connecting over 200 clients to essential therapy services. This highlights CBH's extensive provider network and its impact on mental health outcomes. The conversation emphasizes preemptive engagement in mental health services and overcoming systemic barriers, addressing social determinants of health crucial to tackling mental health challenges.

As we observe Black Maternal Mental Health Week 2024 (July 19-26), this episode underscores the need for equitable mental health care access. Join us as we discuss fostering comprehensive care for all Philadelphians.

Content Disclaimer: This episode contains discussions about intimate partner violence that some listeners may find disturbing or difficult to hear.

This episode marks the second part of our two-part series on intimate partner violence (IPV). In our previous episode, we heard from Kalena Brown, an IPV survivor who shared her journey of overcoming immense challenges and using her voice to educate and support others.

In this episode, we dive deeper into the topic with Lizz Tooher, RN, MPH and Mac Taylor, who reference Kalena's story as they discuss IPV in Philadelphia and beyond.

Lizz Tooher is a public health nurse and the Senior Director of Child Health and Education at the National Nurse-Led Care Consortium (NNCC), working closely with families raising children under five years old. Mac Taylor is a Paralegal with the Health Education and Legal Assistance Project (HELP MLP) at Widener University, collaborating with NNCC to support families enrolled in home visiting programs across Philadelphia.

Home visitors, like those in the Mabel Morris Family Home Visit program, play a crucial role in screening for IPV and providing support to survivors. It's essential to recognize that IPV extends beyond physical violence, impacting survivors psychologically, emotionally, and financially. Lizz and Mac share their insights into the challenges faced by survivors, the importance of building trust and community connections, and the systemic barriers to accessing resources. Through their discussion, they shed light on the complexities of IPV and advocate for improved support systems.

Join us as we explore the multifaceted nature of intimate partner violence and the role of healthcare providers and communities in addressing this critical issue.

Content Disclaimer: This episode contains discussions about intimate partner violence that some listeners may find disturbing or difficult to hear.

In this episode, we begin a powerful two-part series on intimate partner violence (IPV). In Part 1, Kalena Brown, an IPV survivor shares her story of overcoming immense challenges including physical and psychological trauma, systemic failures, and societal stigma.

Kalena recounts her harrowing journey through custody battles, abuse, and the emotional aftermath of IPV. She reveals the persistent institutional problems survivors face and her efforts to advocate for change within the healthcare and judicial systems. Her story is a testament to resilience and the importance of reclaiming one's voice.

Join us as we delve into Kalena's story, shedding light on the often-hidden aspects of IPV and exploring how healthcare providers and society can better support survivors.

As we bring you this episode in May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month, it's crucial to recognize that IPV manifests in various forms beyond physical violence, including psychological, emotional, and financial abuse.