Caring Greatly

In this episode of the Caring Greatly™ Podcast, Ms. Diamond and I talk about the impact of COVID-19 on the Bridgeport (Conn.) community. Bridgeport is a racially and ethnically diverse community with a poverty rate double that of the Connecticut average. Despite this, Bridgeport Hospital had lower than expected COVID mortality among its black and Latinx patients. We delve into the importance of communication, community trust, and support for team members to a trend-bucking COVID-19 response.

In this episode of the Caring Greatly™ Podcast, Dr. Hill and I delve into the history of systemic racism in society and medicine, and how that leads to distrust today. Dr. Hill shares both historical examples as well as more recent instances where racism and inequity have led to health disparities, including those witnessed in the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Hill advocates for inclusion and partnership, as well as recognition of the current and historical factors that lead to distrust as a path toward inclusion and equity.

In this episode of the Caring Greatly™ Podcast, Mr. Mills shares the challenges of leading a health system through the pandemic. We talk about the perspective he gained by his experience in the community, and the critical importance of communication as the financial, process, and health uncertainties of the COVID-19 response.

In this episode, Mr. Burroughs and I look at the longstanding issue of racial inequity in healthcare. We delve into the intersection of racism and social determinants of health, and the ways that they do and don’t overlap. Mr. Burroughs shares insights into why COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted communities of color, and how leaders can take aim at the root causes of racial injustice.

In this episode, Dr. Goepferd and I discuss the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on LGBTQ+ children and young adults. We delve into the challenges of Pride month under quarantine, and the importance of affirming and celebrating the unique identities of LGBTQ+ kids. We also look at issues of intersectionality, and the importance of listening to all members of the community across lines of gender, sex, race, sexuality, language, and other identities.

In this episode, Dr. Pierce and I talk about the imperative clinicians feel to bring humanity to care during COVID-19, despite challenges to connection created by PPE, caseload, and restrictions on time spent with patients designed to limit infection risk. We also look at the path forward toward recovery and thriving, which includes individual support, team- and leadership-based efforts to maximize positive emotions, and deeper changes in healthcare systems.

In this episode, Dr. Wible and I talk about the systemic factors that lead to physician suicide, particularly those pertaining to medical education. We look at the additional emotional and moral distress caused by COVID-19 and racial and social inequities. We end by discussing the kinds of transparency, reform, and leadership required to create a more humane medical system.

As the West Coast caseload eased, Dr. Compton-Phillips led a virtual offsite in which more than 200 leaders from across the system envisioned a path forward from the immediate response phase through recovery and into a future where they can grow toward their vision of health for a better world. On this episode, Dr. Compton-Phillips and I discuss the system’s future vision, strategies for lessening the health disparities that have been so starkly outlined by the COVID-19 crisis, and the importance of a leadership model based in listening to team members.

In this episode of the Caring Greatly™ Podcast, Rick and I discuss what it has been like to be at the epicenter of the pandemic. We look at how his team of experience professionals has stepped up to support patients, families, and care team members. We discuss the critical role of leadership in orchestrating a response centered on humanity. And we look ahead to how health systems in New York and across the continent will transform as they emerge from the shadow of COVID-19.